Roomi hadn't shared Mandeep's bed the previous night. Well, how would she get pregnant ifshe slept alone? He was too tired and sleepy last night to question her, but he would find out today.He passed the day with his street friends who all wanted a ride in his car. There were five ofthem so he put three in the back seat, a full breasted young girl next to him on the bench front seat andanother boy on the other side of her. He noticed she didn't mind when his arm kept brushing her breastas he changed gears. When he looked at her from the side of his eye, he caught her smiling in aknowing seductive way - that made his heart race and he reckoned he could score on her with a bit ofwork. He tucked that away for future use.

That night again Roomi didn't come to his bed and he noticed this when he awoke to use thetoilet late at night. He went in his slippered feet looking for her and found her asleep in the child'sroom. He shook her awake: "Come," he said, "the child is asleep now.""No," she shook her head, "I'm sleeping here."

Mandeep padded away softly back to his bed. It was no point arguing with her at that hour. Hewould sort it out in the morning.

"Why aren't you sleeping with me at night, are you having your periods?""No. I want to sleep with my son."

"Oh, I quite understand that... but if you don't come to me how will you get pregnant?""I don't want to conceive anymore."

Mandeep looked at her with a puzzled frown. Then how do I get my money from Gulprasad?""I don't know. I don't want you to get money from my husband. That money will be used onmy son, Sundram as part of his inheritance."

Mandeep was floored. He could picture the situation getting completely away - out of hishands. He could not force Roomi to go away with him. If she refused to support him there was nothinghe could do. He would have to swallow his pride and humour her. If he showed any dissention it couldwell drive her into Gulprasad's arms. Mandeep would certainly then get his marching orders and hewould have to leave shamefacedly. He may even have to surrender his car to the bank....No, no thatwon't do at all. He would have to find a way out.

Roomi was very agitated and worried all morning. She realized she shouldn't have said whatshe blurted out to Mandeep - not the way she said it anyway. There was no way she could take herwords back... she really didn't want to either for she meant every word of it. But, gosh, he had been sogood to her, really looked after her those days they were on the streets. But, then she had been good forhim too. It was because of her that he had some money now. Maybe, she would find a way to give himsome more money - her husband was cash flushed. She tapped her teeth with her long nails as she satthinking.

She saw Mandeep as she took her place around the lunch table with her husband. Mandeepappeared to be in a good mood and smiled at her often. Thank god, she said to herself, Mandeepappeared to have not taken her words to heart. He sat close to her and touched her arm often. He was anexciting man, she admitted, and she loved making love to him.

That night she appeared in his bedroom. Walking in and bolting the door from inside. Helooked over his shoulder and smiled at her. She had already started to disrobe, casting her clothes on tothe floor as she walked to the bed. He smiled again giving her a big toothy smile with pleasurableexcitement and rising anticipation.

She jumped into bed and held her hand out with something resting in her palm. He squinted at itwith curiosity. "We are going to use this tonight she said indicating the contraceptive in her palm. Hekept his smile flowing - he was not going to show his disappointment. "Right," he said, "as youplease." He would find a way to slip it off during the heavy love-play he decided.Unknown to the two, Roomi was already pregnant!