Licence To Love

Abhimanyu or Abhi, the son of the Doctor's parents was a small-town boy. His father was a medical officer in a big factory and his mother was a doctor in the local government hospital. As both parents went out to work, Abhi was looked after by a young Adivasi couple Jayaram and his wife Motibai who worked for them. Motibai was the cook of the family and looked after Abhi. Jayaram used to all the outbound work of the household. Abhi's parents were blessed and lucky to have such a devoted pair of servants. Slowly by their dedication, the couple had earned the faith and trust of Abhi's parents and no longer they were looked upon as servants but a part of the extended family. This couple had a daughter Lajwanti or Lajo of Abhi's age. Lajo was Abhi's playmate. Abhi lived in a big bungalow surrounded by a garden with lots of trees. As they lived in a small town so life was laid back and slow.

Lajo was the constant partner in all the games Abhi played. Be it cricket, football in outdoor games and ludo and carrom in indoor games. They also read storybooks together. There was no difference in the treatment meted to Lajo being the servant's daughter. Abhi thought Lajo as his close friend like his friends in school. Abhi went to study in the local convent school and Lajo studied in the government-aided primary school. As his parents left for work early the duty of getting Abhi ready for school laid on Gayaram and Motibai. After both Abhi and Lajo returned from school they played in the garden after having their meals. Even the meals they took together sometimes sharing from each other's plate. So Abhi did not differentiate Lajo and Abhi's parents though aware of this fact never objected. Lajo 's parents were also very proud of Abhi for this behavior. They also knew that Lajo could not get a better household and a friend like Abhi. Children do not have any prejudices. They are the true ambassadors of God.

Time passed and both were growing fast. Their friendship also became more strong. None could let a day go by without seeing each other. As they were growing up their types of play had also changed. Less of outdoors and more indoor activities took up their time. They used to share their new textbooks when they moved up in the new class. The stories they used to read together from each other's books. When they used to get bored they used to play indoor games like carrom and ludo etc. They used to also have good fights with each other like two boys or like two girls together, falling over each other pulling each other's hair. Abhi got the advantage because he could catch hold of Lajo's ponytail. Then she would shriek and Motibai had to break up the two.

Now time passed and both had reached their teens. Abhi had become quite tall and healthy. Lajo had also gained height and became more womanly. She started behaving more like a woman now shy and inwardly but her behavior towards Abhi did not change. She had no inhibitions with him. Like two brothers and sisters. Motibai the mother she was did not interfere in their togetherness as she saw absolute innocence between Abhi and Lajo.

But nature has other plans. A girl grows faster than a boy both bodily and mentally and Lajo was no exception. Although just thirteen she was now almost her full-grown woman. When her mother dressed her in a saree she looked like her mother's friend rather than her daughter. Although growing young girls show reserved behavior towards the opposite sex this didn't reflect in her behavior towards Abhi. Her affinity for Abhi had begun to change. More of adolescent admiration took the place of child love. Motibai being very clever and with lots of wisdom took notice of this change in her daughter. She used to keep a constant vigil over her daughter's intimacy with Abhi. After all, they were using the trust that Abhi's parents had reposed in them. Motibai didn't bother too much to teach her daughter. Her husband Gayaram used to caution her at times to know what was the limit. But Motibai trusted her daughter and silently wished that Abhi should develop an affection for Lajo like that of a man towards a woman. Because Motibai knew that Lajo could not get a match than Abhi. Although at times Motibai felt that she may be encroaching too much on the faith reposed over her by the doctor couple. But her blind motherly love for her daughter got the better of her at times. But she was very cautious and knew the dangers that lay ahead of two growing adolescent boys and girls. She always was aware of the decorum of the family. Motibai also knew if by the tryst of destiny if her daughter could get the love of Abhi then Lajo should become worthy to be accepted as a potential wife. So Motibai imbibed in her daughter all the mannerisms and training in the household work to become a future acceptable wife. Education also played a big role. Lajo needed to be educated more than the average girl because to match Abhi she must upgrade herself. Because Abhi's parents had ambitions for Abhi to be a doctor as he was good in studies. Motibai had her hands full slowly started counseling her daughter to make her worthy of Abhi without letting her know the real reasons.

Lajo was becoming beautiful day by day. Although wheat complexioned she spent a lot of time grooming herself, her long hair to make her look attractive. She used to stand in front of her mirror for long and admire herself, her beauty and her long hair.

Now she became clear that she had developed a crush for Abhi. Childhood innocent friendship had turned ripened into full-fledged love. She started enjoying the company of Abhi more and more and longed to get close to him at any behest. Slowly a deep possessiveness grew in her for Abhi. When she used to sit with him at home she ensured herself to soak in with nice perfume and kept her hair long and flowing. She longed now that Abhi should notice her and compliment her. Before they used to sit and talk and read stories to each other. Lajo used to keep inching close to Abhi and get cozy and touch him with her beautiful womanliness. She would bask in the warmth of Abhi's adolescent body and feel nice inside. They used to sit under a tree in the garden for long enough under the watchful gaze of Motibai. Abhi thought had developed a liking for Lajo but the response was lukewarm not to the liking of Lajo. In fact, Lajo felt that the warmth of the relationship was somewhat lacking from Abhi's side.

Lajo wanted that Abhi and she go and watch a movie a nice love story. But her mother would not allow this at any cost and jeopardize the relationship at this stage. So they sat huddled together and watched a movie on TV. Lajo used to coax Abhi to caress her hair slowly resting her head on Abhi's broad shoulders. Lajo was devoting all her energies to beautify herself and get the attention of Abhi. Time and time again Lajo used to find excuses and hug Abhi from behind trying to enchant him with the warmth of her full adolescent womanliness. In the bargain she used to get a feel of the warmth of Abhi's youthful body. But still, Abhi could not realize the passes Lajo was making towards him. She was still the best friend he had for so many years and knew that he had to protect her from all the dangers of life. He was proud of her beauty. Lately, he had observed how lovely and attractive she had begun. But he was very protective of her. Recently while coming home from college alone she had to face taunts and catcalls from a group of hooligans near the house. Abhi who was home then rushed out and shouted at the boys. Lajo then involuntarily rushed towards Abhi and held him in a tight embrace as if frightened. Abhi not knowing what to do reciprocated and held her in his chest tightly. This was the first time he felt the warmth and heat from Lajo's well-shaped soft bosoms. Then quickly regaining control over themselves they walked back home together holding the hands of each other accidentally. Lajo was beside with happiness. At last, she felt that she had broken the ice. She narrated the full incident to her mother. Both were very happy in their individual ways. But Abhi became busy with his medical exams and forgot all about this incident with Lajo. He regained his own self and mixed with her as before without showing any outward emotion.

Then the rainy season began and the rains came down thick and heavy. Lajo saw this as a last chance to impress her beau. She started singing and went in the rain and soaked herself to her inner garments till the clothes clung to her skin exposing her with all the beautiful womanliness. No celibate man could have resisted such a beautiful situation. She then came into the house and dragged Abhi out to dance with her in the rain. Abhi could not help but do as bided. Lajo getting the full freedom caught Abhi in a tight embrace. Abhi could not resist anymore and indulged in the amorous tight embrace letting the heat soak his wet body and let Lajo soak in his warmth. It was a never-ending dream for Lajo and she would not dare leave Abhi for her dear life. She soaked more in the heat from Abhi's body than the rain from the sky. It was simply heaven. She thanked God countlessly for this wonderful and unforgettable sojourn.

In a few days, Medical results were out and Abhi would leave home to study medicine for five years. It was a heartbreaking moment for Lajo. She was beside with grief. Her mother knew her position and tried best to console her. In between this time Lajo had summed up her courage and let Abhi know her feelings for him. Abhi though surprised and happy reciprocated his feelings but he was not sure how their relationship could take shape. His parents would never allow. Although his mother adored and loved Lajo that was a different take and in a different light.

So Abhi didn't give this brief encounter much weight and moved ahead with his study of medicine.

Lajo continued with her college and completed her graduation. She soon got a govt job and started her professional life happily. There were many suitors for her as she was beautiful and intelligent and working. Her father was eager to marry her away. Very good and wealthy suitors had come and there was no dowry demand. But Lajo and her mother resisted at all costs and wait till Abhi's Medicine course was over.

Abhi's visit became very irregular and Lajo got to see him less and less. But her yearning for him became more and more strong. Such is the power of the love of a woman. But although when Abhi visited it was short and his reciprocation towards Lajo was not that strong as Lajo had expected.

Time passed. Abhi completed his medicine and started his internship at the same hospital. His visits to his house became more far between.

He had his hands full with work. Then he had to look to so many outdoor patients.

One day he was checking his outdoor patients. There was a long list. At the last name, there was one by the name of Mrs. Ram. Then the last patient came in accompanied by a man. Abhi was surprised to find that it was Lajo who was accompanied by a middle-aged balding man. She introduced him as his husband. Abhi told the escort to wait outside the curtained area so that he had some privacy with Lajo. He had deeply missed her these few years. Though he had many friends and many girls among them he didn't find a wife like qualities in any of them. So he felt guilty in not reciprocating the innocent selfless love of Lajo towards him. Lajo said that she had just come to visit him not as a patient. The man accompanying her was not her husband but her father was very much pressing her to marry him. A man of worth and also from their caste. But her mother had kept the relationship on hold. Now Lajo had come to Abhi to know his feelings and as a last-ditch measure. Then all of a sudden she came over towards Abhi and bringing her face close to his and gave him a tight kiss on his lips and lip-locked with hers for what seemed an eternity. She told Abhi that her mother had given her the license to Love him and this what she had done selflessly for so many years and waited patiently. Abhi was absolutely enchanted. Then what looked ages after letting lose Abhi from her tight embrace, she started to leave. Then Abhi lunged forward and held her hand before she could go out of the curtained cubicle. Abhi proposed to her and told Lajo that her parents should reject the proposal of this balding man. Abhi then promised to talk to his parents and her parents and solemnize their marriage at the earliest.