Akshi was in the bathroom, taking her fourth bath of the day.

 Ram smiled to himself over her obsession and proceeded to pick her an outfit for the evening.

The deep green salwar-kameez … it’s her favourite, but the colour is all wrong for an evening out.

The pink and beige one … nah, too drab.

The yellow sari … interesting, but too bright.

Drat it… the girl’s right when she says she doesn’t have too many clothes…

The off-white sari? Yeah… the one with that oh-my-God blouse… Super choice Ram, your Akshi is going to rock the party tonight…

 Ram was one happy man. He was married to Meenakshi, a gorgeous belle from a small town. She had a large family but never seemed too inclined to visit them… which was all very good as far as he was concerned.

 Akshi was his lucky charm … his Lakshmi … his key to success. Since she arrived in his life, his business had picked up. Less than four years in existence and Ramakshi Traders was showing more than 125  per cent growth per annum. Everyone wanted to be a partner or a client. Their social life had never been better. They attended a minimum of two  parties per evening. And always, always… Akshi was the most beautiful woman in the room.

 Just as Ram finished dressing up, he saw his wife was ready to leave.

The sari he had chosen for her was clinging to her like second skin. She had no make-up on, except for a thin line of kohl to enhance her huge eyes. He noticed she was wearing the simple pearl earring he had got her for their second anniversary. Her hair was bunched back in an elegant knot. She was a picture of pure perfection.

 He sighed deeply and thanked all the Gods for this vision he called his own.

 The trade union leader didn’t stand a chance.

They headed for the party, Meenakshi and her husband, her pimp.