A Dinner of Unexpected Revelations - Part 1

Trevor adjusted his hair or whatever was left of his thinning hair on his scalp, taking a deep breath as he stood before the wooden door of Raj and Puja's suburban home in Willeton. The evening air carried the aroma of autumn leaves, crisp and slightly sweet. He could hear the muted sounds of conversation and laughter filtering through the door, sounds that spoke of warmth and camaraderie.

As the door swung open, Trevor was greeted by Raj's booming voice and a wide smile. “Trevor! You made it!” Raj clasped Trevor’s shoulder, ushering him inside.

The house was a haven, filled with cozy furniture and family pictures lining the walls. Raj and Puja were newly empty nesters with their only son, Suraj having moved to the other side of the Nullarbor to Sydney to attend university. Trevor had known Raj since high school, their years marked by countless adventures and mutual support. Trevor had moved to Singapore after his bitter divorce about 10 years ago and was back in Perth to attend a niece's 15th birthday celebration. But tonight held an unusual purpose, one that Trevor was still trying to wrap his mind around.

In the kitchen, Puja was busy putting the finishing touches on a lavish table set with dishes that reflected both Indian heritage and contemporary flair. She greeted Trevor warmly, her presence radiant and inviting. “Trevor, it’s so good to see you. I hope you’re hungry!” Trevor had only met Puja on 3 occasions. The first time when Raj's parents now deceased hosted a party to introduce their daughter in law from India. The second time was when he attended Suraj's 12th birthday party just before the family moved to Karratha due to Raj's work as an engineer. The final time being six months ago when he bumped into Raj and Puja at Changi Airport as they transited on their way to Europe as Trevor was waiting in the departure lounge next door.

Just as Trevor gathered his thoughts after that unintended flashbacks, he noticed that Puja was wearing a conservative long sleeved blouse with all the buttons done to her collar and a pleated skirt that was flowing all the way down to her ankles but high enough to reveal that she was wearing Ugg boots. He guessed that she was still conservative in her dressing even though she had moved away from just wearing sarees or long colourful caftans.

The evening unfolded seamlessly, the food was exquisite, and the conversation flowed with the ease of long-standing friendship. Trevor found himself genuinely enjoying the dinner, temporarily setting aside the underlying reason for his visit. He didn't even find the food all that spicy and made a mental remark to himself that it must be due to having had all sort of exotic food in Southeast Asia over the last decade. As the night progressed, stories of old times surfaced, punctuated by laughter and the occasional clink of glasses. Puja was not a drinker when he first met her about 20 years ago, but she now was indulging in the odd glass of merlot that Raj had asked Trevor to bring as a gift. Raj was ever so happy to keep filling Puja's glass despite her protests that she has had more than her single glass. Raj winked at Trevor and flashed a thumbs up sign when Puja was not looking.

As they moved to the living room for coffee, Raj’s tone shifted subtly, “Trevor, I’m really glad you came tonight,” he began, throwing a sidelong glance at Puja, who nodded, her expression curious yet encouraging. Her eyelids were feeling heavier than usual, but she was sober enough to notice that Trevor had moved across from the room to plant himself to her right as Raj sat snugly on her left side.

Trevor hesitated, weighing his words carefully. “I’ve been thinking about something for a while now, and I wasn’t sure how to bring it up,” he started, feeling the room’s energy become more attuned to his forthcoming words. Puja’s interest grew, her eyes locking onto Trevor’s with a look that was both challenging and open.

“This might sound unusual, but I wanted to talk to you both about something we might consider exploring together,” Trevor continued, his words hanging in the air with careful intention.

Raj placed a reassuring hand on Puja’s arm. “Trevor mentioned something to me about broadening experiences, and I thought it might be worth discussing. But of course, only if you’re comfortable,” he said gently.

Puja tilted her head, her interest piqued. “I appreciate the openness, but I’m going to need a little more information,” she replied in her South Delhi accent but with a slight smile. "I bet he is going to offer Raj a job in Singapore, and we will have to relocate once again," she casually thought to herself, muttering a soft sigh of disapproval, not knowing what the real reason was at this point.

Trevor took a deep breath, choosing his next words thoughtfully. “I respect the dynamic you both share, and I have always admired it. I felt that perhaps there was room for an experience that involves all of us, something shared and consensual.”

Puja sat back, her eyes reflecting thoughtfulness. The room was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. After a deliberate pause, Puja spoke and expressed her genuine ignorance, "I am not sure what did you mean by sharing an experience involving all of us...and all who and what experience?" Trevor turned red in the face and then looked at Raj before resigning himself and muttering, "I told you it was best that you did the ice breaking or prepared her for this".

Puja looked over to Raj and said, "Prepare me for what, Raj?". Raj pulled back his arm around Puja and gently put both his hands over and under Puja's before he spoke albeit with some trepidation, "Darling, you know we have spoken about how our sex life is very dull and stale. We thought it would improve when Suraj left for uni, but it hasn't, has it?" Puja shifted her glance at Trevor and then back at Raj as she was unsure as to why Raj would suddenly start discussing their private and intimate secrets in front of a third person.

She wanted to run out of that room as embarrassment engulfed her, but Raj firmed up his grasp of her hands and gave her an assuring look to relax. "Puja, we are not getting any younger and I know we are not enjoying ourselves like we used to in bed." Puja interjected this time, "I don't mind Raj as long as it is part of ageing and I am pre-menopausal".

"But it doesn't have to be that way, my love!" Raj exclaimed. He revealed that he had been speaking to Trevor for the last six months via text messages about how the sex was boring and how he wished it was more exciting. Trevor had suggested that they sought some form of therapy or counselling and even wished that at least Raj was still married whereas Trevor had failed with his marriage. When Raj suggested that he would be excited to see another man pleasure Puja as he could not hold his erection for as long as he used to, Trevor joked that it would not be a problem finding someone given how beautiful and exotic Puja was. That's when Raj had an eureka moment and texted back, "Would you like to be that third wheel, mate?"

Up till then Trevor had never thought of Puja in a sexual manner but after that initial exchanges he recalled that she did have an hourglass figure in that saree that she wore when she was first introduced to her all those years ago. He could not recall much of her body contours at the chance encounter at the airport because she was all rugged up in winter wear and set for her trip to Europe. Even now, she didn't leave much for the imagination in her long blouse and skirt.

Meanwhile, as Trevor's mind wondered on all those flashbacks, he was brought back to the present by a heavy sigh from Puja. She had considered Trevor and now Raj's suggestion, weighing her intrinsic comfort and curiosity. Her life with Raj had been built on trust and exploration, each chapter a testament to their openness and willingness to embrace life fully. She trusted Raj with all of her existence and in fact had uprooted herself from Delhi to Perth. Not only did she move into a joint family but to a whole new country, culture, and way of life. She learnt to drive in Australia, and it gave her a sense of freedom. She was grateful for the freedom that was besotted to her by Raj and her modern in laws.

To be continued...