Update 30
Aarti sat on the floor near the window, folding the last of the laundry into a neat pile. The sunlight slipped in through the bamboo curtain, painting soft golden stripes across the cool floor. Her house had always been the closest to Suraj’s—and in recent days, that closeness had become a burden.
Since Kalpana had refused to feed him, Suraj had made Aarti’s home his regular stop. He didn’t ask. He didn’t knock. He would come in at all hours—mid-morning, during chores, even when she was resting. Whether she was grinding grain or stretching wet clothes onto the line, he would show up, cupping her breasts or sometimes latching on without removing her blouse.
In the beginning, she thought it was temporary. That he was just adjusting. But his visits became more frequent, more bold. He fed long, sometimes twice a day, sometimes more. Never asking, always demanding. And Aarti, despite her growing frustration, couldn’t find the heart to turn him away.
But it wasn’t just about her. Guddu—her nephew, the one who had once clung to her every evening for comfort—had started pulling away. He would linger near the doorway, watching silently while Suraj fed. Sometimes he’d mumble that he wasn’t hungry, other times he just shook his head and walked away. Aarti had noticed it more with each passing day—the way Guddu hesitated to come near, the way he turned his face when she tried to bring him close. He had stopped receiving milk altogether. Her breasts, often emptied fully by Suraj, left nothing behind for Guddu. On the rare occasions he did come close, he would settle beside her and dry nurse—his mouth soft, suckling more out of habit than nourishment.
That afternoon, as she swept the back room, Suraj arrived again. He didn’t speak. Just walked in, wiped his face on his sleeve, and sat on the cot like he owned the space. Aarti didn’t hide her irritation.
"Suraj, you were here just an hour ago," she said, pausing with the broom in hand.
He said nothing. Instead, he stood and walked over, bold as ever. This time, before she could even respond, he slipped his hands under her saree pallu and pulled at her blouse hooks. She caught her breath in surprise, but didn’t stop him. Her blouse came loose, sliding open, and her breast spilled free into his waiting hands.
He latched without pause, his mouth wrapping around her nipple, pulling steadily with deep, slow draws. One hand cupped her breast firmly while the other moved to the side, holding her in place as he suckled. Aarti leaned back against the wall, her body already familiar with the rhythm.
Suraj was more playful now. He stayed longer, shifted positions to press his cheek against her skin, and even brushed his fingers across the top of her breast when he paused to breathe. He would squeeze gently at the base, coaxing more milk, and always drew every last drop. Her breast would soften completely under his attention—emptied thoroughly, leaving nothing behind.
She glanced toward the doorway. Guddu stood there again. Watching, quiet. His eyes didn’t move. He had seen this too often now. And each time, he left with less. Less interest. Less closeness. Less of her.
Aarti’s thoughts drifted. She remembered when she first began feeding Guddu—how loving he had been. How soft she was at first. But it had become something gentle between them. His hands had been soft, never demanding. He had made her feel needed, tenderly.
Now, all of that had changed. Suraj’s presence was heavy, entitled. She gave because he came. He came because she always gave.
When he finally let go, he rested his head on her lap, playing with the edge of her saree, not ready to leave. She quietly adjusted her blouse, re-hooked it, and rested a hand on his head.
She looked at Guddu. He had already turned away.
The room was quiet. But in her chest, something weighed heavy. Something had to change.