It Takes Two to Tango

Stealing Affections – It Takes Two to Tango

This morning – I came across a rather curious news-report about a “stealing affections” case. 

One does not know the truth about the allegations/case – and – the truth will be found out by the inquiry. 

In most “stealing affections” cases – men are accused of “stealing affections” 

But – in this case – an allegation of “stealing affections” has been made against a woman. 

After reading the news-report – I remembered a Story that I had posted on my blog more than 3 years ago in July 2014. 

I had written this story after reading a newspaper report on a “stealing affections” case.

Here is the story once more for you to mull over.

From My “Humor in Uniform” Archives 

(This Post Was Written on July 19, 2014)

Stealing Affections – It Takes Two to Tango

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

NB: This Story Was Written on July 19, 2014

There was a recent news-report in the newspapers about a Navy Commodore being sacked as he was found guilty of “stealing the affections of a brother officer's wife”. 

The term “stealing affection” is the military euphemism for “adultery”.

Stealing the affection of a brother officer’s wife is deemed to be conduct unbecoming of an officer and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline and is considered an offence.

Don’t you feel that the expression “stealing affection” is a misnomer?

The word “steal” implies that you take something belonging to someone else without her knowledge or consent.

Can you “steal” someone’s “affections” without the other person knowing it?

Is it a case of one-way love?

Or is the lady (brother officer’s wife) willingly giving her affections to the officer (her husband’s colleague)?

If she is willingly giving her affections, can the officer be accused of “stealing” affections?

And, if the officer had forced his affections on the lady, she could have complained of rape or molestation, or outraging the modesty of a woman, for which the punishment is much more severe than mere dismissal.

There is a difference between sexual harassment and a love affair between two consenting adults.

An officer can “steal” the affections of a brother officer's wife only because the brother officer’s wife is willing to have her affections “stolen” by him.

In a love affair, the relationship and the sex, both are consensual.

So, isn’t the woman equally responsible for the adulterous love affair...?

It takes two to tango.

Yes, it takes two willing people to commit infidelity, not just one.

Both the man and the woman are equally guilty of indulging in the immoral act of adultery.

But the man is punished severely, even sacked from his job, whereas the equally guilty woman goes scot-free.

Is this fair?

From an ethical point of view, is it ethical to blame only the man for the adulterous love affair in which the woman has willingly participated?

Is it not a case of reverse gender bias...?

Extra-Marital Affairs and “Stealing Affections” are not new to the Navy.

Surely, you have heard of the famous Commander Nanavati Case which, some say, was instrumental in abolishing the jury trial system in India.

As far as the navy mores are concerned, it seems okay for officers to sow their wild oats outside.

Even in cases of “stealing the affection of a brother officer’s wife” – as long as the affair is kept discreet, everyone looks the other way.

The Navy cracks the whip only when one of the aggrieved spouses complains, and the complainant is mostly the cuckolded husband whose wife’s affections are being “stolen” by another officer.

The saddest part is that the wife of the “straying” unfaithful husband is hit by a double whammy.

First, she has to bear the social humiliation associated with her husband accused of committing adultery with another woman and being punished for “conduct unbecoming of an officer”.

Second, she has to suffer financial consequences of her husband losing his job and, maybe, his pension benefits, if he is dismissed with disgrace.

The financial jolt due to loss of job and income of the breadwinner can be particularly severe is the wife is a homemaker financially dependent on her husband.

The children suffer unimaginable agony too.

Earlier there were no Lady Officers in the Armed Forces.

So the only sexual “offence” pertained to male officers “stealing the affection of a brother officer's wife”.

With the entry of Women Officers in the Defence Services in the 1990’s – new possibilities have emerged.

Whereas for male officers, stealing the affection of a brother officer’s wife is deemed to be conduct unbecoming of an officer and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline and is considered an offence – in the case of female officers – will the same apply to “stealing the affection of a sister officer’s husband” or “stealing the affections of a married officer”...?

By the way – for a lady officer – stealing the affection of a “brother officer” is considered okay.

Conversely – stealing the affections of a “sister officer” seems okay for male officers.

In fact – “brother officers” are permitted to marry “sister officers” (yes – male officers are allowed to marry female officers) – and there are many “military couples in uniform” in the Armed Forces.

It is all very confusing – so all I will say is that “stealing affection” is an affair of the heart in which “It Takes Two to Tango...”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved) 

Revised Repost of my article “Stealing Affections – It Takes Two to Tango” posted online more than 3 years ago on 19 July 2014 at url:

 http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/07/humor-in-uniform-stealing-affections-it.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/stealing-affections-it-takes-two-to.html  and https://karve.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/it-takes-two-to-tango-so-why-blame-the-man-alone-for-stealing-the-affection-of-a-brother-officers-wife/  etc

The “Plain Jane”

Dear Reader: 

In my previous blog post I told you the Story of My Love Life – Dating Romance Affairs Marriage 

I had told you that my “Better Half” approved of all my “girlfriends” – except one. 

Yes – there was only one “girlfriend” who my wife did not approve of – and warned me to stay away from. 

I promised that I will tell you the story of my “unapproved girlfriend” in my next blog post. 

Here is the story...

THE “PLAIN JANE”

Love Story

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

PART 1 – “STEALING AFFECTIONS”

The doorbell rang.

I had just returned home – and – I was taking off my white Navy uniform.

I wondered who it was.

I put on my uniform – I walked out of the bedroom – and – I opened the door.

It was my wife’s friend Menaka – that chic gorgeous beauty who lived opposite our house. 

She looked ravishing.

Menaka was a real “Sex Bomb”.

My eyes locked onto her.

Then – I snapped out my trance – and – I said to Menaka: “My wife is not at home – she has gone to her mother’s place for a week…” 

“I know that your wife is not here...” Menaka said, “I have come to meet you.”

“Me…?”

“Yes – I want to you to take me out to the city for shopping.”

“Me…? You want me to take you out shopping…?”

“Yes. My husband is out sailing – and – I need some things from town – so I thought I would ask you to take me to the market on your bike…” Menaka said.

Menaka was standing in the door – with the evening sun behind her.

The rays of the sun penetrated through the light fabric of her summery white dress.

I could see the curvaceous silhouette of her shapely body quite clearly.

My eyes travelled over the silhouette of her body – and – my hungry eyes lingered exactly where they should not have.

I felt ashamed of having eyed her body so brazenly.

So – I quickly moved my eyes away – and I lowered my glance.

After a few moments – I looked up at her.

She looked so sensuous, so tantalizing, so alluring – that I could not take my eyes away from her.

But – she seemed nonchalant – oblivious of the stirring sensual vibes she was radiating – standing as she was – in her light ‘see-through’ dress – with the sun behind her.

“Are you going to just keep staring at me – or – are you going to invite me inside…?” she said, with a naughty smile.

“Oh – I am very sorry – please come inside…” I said, embarrassed.

Menaka came inside – and she sat on the sofa in the living room.

I stood there – mesmerized – wondering what to do.

“Why don’t you change into “civvies”…?” she said, “it is already 5:30 – and I have a lot of shopping to do.”

“Yes, Yes…” I said – and I quickly walked into my bedroom.

As I started taking off my uniform – I kept thinking of her – my wife’s friend – the gorgeous “Sex Bomb” Menaka – sitting in the living room.

My imagination started running wild.

Her husband was away.

My wife was away.

She was lonely.

I was lonely.

We both were lonesome.

Anything could happen.

First – she would sit behind me on my motorcycle – holding me tight.

Then – we would have a “good time” in the city – shopping, eating, and walking around – and – maybe – she would ask me to take her for a movie.

When we returned back – it would be late – so – maybe – she would me invite me to her home for dinner.

Then – maybe – she would offer me a drink.

And – maybe – she would join me for a drink.

(Yes – I had seen her drinking at parties).

Then – as we sat together – one drink would lead to another – and – one more – and soon – with so much alcohol inside us – we both would get “high”.

With both of us – Menaka and Me – in this “high” state – sitting together in an atmosphere of intimacy – with our inhibitions dissolved in alcohol – anything could happen. 

Yes – anything could happen.

She was very attractive – and – I wouldn’t mind having an affair with her – or – at least a “one night stand”.

But – I did not have the guts to do so – because – I shuddered to think of the consequences.

My shrewd wife would surely sense that I had indulged in “hanky-panky” – and then – she would surely divorce me.

Besides – in the Navy – “stealing the affection of a brother officer’s wife” was considered an offence – and – I could be sacked and dismissed from the Navy with disgrace.

It would be a “double-whammy” – for both my marriage and my career.

My marriage would break-up and my career would be in shambles.

I had to be careful – there was absolutely no point in taking the risk.

So – I buttoned up my uniform – and – I went out into the living room.

Menaka looked at me.

Menaka seemed perplexed to see me still wearing uniform – so – she said to me: 

“What happened…? Why are you still in uniform…? Why haven’t you changed into “civvies”…?”

“I am sorry – but I cannot take you out shopping…” I said.

“But why…? What happened…? Just a few minutes ago – you had readily agreed to take me out shopping. And now – you are saying that you cannot take me out shopping. First you say “YES” – and then you say “NO”…” she said, looking confused.

“I am sorry. Please excuse me. I cannot tell you the reason – but – I can’t take you out shopping…” I said, shamefacedly.

“If you don’t want to help me – it’s fine. It’s okay. I’ll ask someone else…” she said, looking disappointed.

Then – Menaka got up from the sofa – and she walked out of my house.

ONE WEEK LATER

PART 2 – “SOCIAL GRACES”

When I came home from work in the evening – I saw that my wife was angry.

“Don’t you have any “social graces”…?” my wife thundered.

“What happened…?” I asked.

“I was hugely embarrassed at the Ladies’ Club Meet – thanks to your stupid behaviour…” my wife said angrily.

“What did I do…?” I asked her.

With scorn in her eyes – my wife rebuked me:

“Menaka asked you to take her out shopping because her husband was sailing out at sea – and – you rudely refused her…? First – you said “YES” – then – you said “NO” – she has told everyone about your “unofficerlike” ungentlemanly behaviour – and – it was so humiliating for me. Because of your weird behaviour you have become the ‘laughing-stock’ among all the Navy wives. And – everyone is laughing at me too – for having such an ill-mannered “nincompoop” husband. I really don’t know how they made you an Officer in the Navy…?

“There is a reason…” I tried to explain.

“Just shut up...” my wife interrupted me – and then – she shouted at me: “I thought Naval Officers were supposed to be chivalrous – and you behaved in a most boorish way with a lady who wanted your help. You are a disgrace – I feel ashamed to be your wife…”

I saw that my wife was so angry that there was no point in me trying to explain my side of the story to her.

It was best for me to remain silent.

My wife went into the kitchen.

I went into the bedroom – I changed from uniform into “civvies” – and I lay down on my bed.

After some time – my wife informed me that she was going to the market with her friends – and – she left the house.

PART 3 – “CHIVALRY”

I relaxed for some time after my wife had left.

Then I got up.

It was getting dark. 

I poured my first drink of Rum and Water (Rum-Pani) – and – I sat down in front of the TV.

I looked at the wall-clock.

One hour had passed since my wife had gone out shopping with her friends.

She would be back soon.

I was enjoying my second drink when the doorbell rang.

“It must be my wife...” I thought – and I opened the door.

It wasn’t my wife.

There was a woman standing at my door.

I did not recognize her.

She was the most ordinary looking woman I had ever seen.

She was not ugly – she just looked prosaic and pedestrian – a real “Plain Jane”.

Yes – she was a “Plain Jane” – a “homely” type of woman.

She was the kind of woman with whom a man could spend time yet not feel disloyal to his wife.

Yes – she was the type of woman with whom any wife would readily allow her husband to go out on a date with – and feel safe about it.

“Hi...” the “Plain Jane” woman said, “It looks like you haven’t recognized me…”

“I am sorry…” I stammered.

She smiled – and she said to me: 

“I am Mala – Mrs. “XXX” – we have come here on posting – and we have just shifted to this building last week… ”

“Oh – please come in...” I said to her, “what can I do for you…?”

“No. No. I won’t come in – but – it’s a bit urgent – can you please take me to the market…?” she asked me.

“Market…?” I said, confused.

“Yes. My husband is out at sea – sailing – and I have to get something urgently – from the medical store – it’s very urgent. So please – I shall be very grateful if you take me to the market…” she said.

I remembered the previous embarrassing episode with my wife’s beautiful friend Menaka – where I had refused to take Menaka to the city.

And – I remembered my wife’s sermon on “social graces” and “chivalry”.

Besides – this “Plain Jane” standing in front of me – Mala – she looked so unexciting and ordinary – that even otherwise – I would have no hesitation in giving her a lift on my bike. 

Also – she was asking me to take her only to the nearby market. 

So – I readily agreed.

Soon – we – Mala and I – we both were riding on my bike on our way to the market.

Mala was holding onto me very tightly.

She may have been ordinarily looking – but – she was quite “well endowed” – and voluptuous too. 

And – like Mala – I too was on the “healthier side”.

So – it was a “tight squeeze” on the small seat of the bike.

Mala put both her hands around me and clung onto me tightly – and – our bodies were in close contact – snug together.

On the way – I saw my wife and her friends walking back from the market – so I proudly waved out to my wife.

I was sure my wife would be proud of me – for my “chivalry” and “social graces” – in helping out a lady. 

But – I was in for a big surprise.

When I returned home – I saw that my wife was furious.

The moment my wife saw me – she shouted at me: 

“Where the hell were you taking Mala on your bike…?”

“You know Mala..?”

“Yes. We met this morning at the Ladies’ Club. But – I am asking you – what was Mala doing with you on your bike – squeezing you in a tight embrace – hugging your body so shamelessly…? It was disgusting – the way you two were desperately clinging onto each other. Tell me. Why was Mala with you on your bike...?”

“She wanted to go to the market…” I explained.

“But – why did you take her…? She could have walked down to the market herself – like I did…” my wife said.

“She said that it was urgent…” I said.

“Urgent – My Foot…!!!” my wife shouted at me.

“She wanted to buy something from the medical store. And – you only told me about “social graces” – that I should be “chivalrous” towards ladies…” I said.

“Don’t talk nonsense…” my wife said angrily.

“Nonsense…? She is such a simple lady…” I said.

“Simple lady…? She is a “man-eater”– she is a “nympho” – she was trying to seduce you…” my wife said.

“Seduce me…?” I said, stunned.

“Yes. She “mesmerized” you – didn’t she…?” my wife asked me.

“Mesmerized me…? What are you saying…?” I said, confused.

My wife looked at me – and she said to me: 

“Do you know what Mala told me at the Ladies Club Meet this morning…?”

“What…?” I said.

“Mala said that she could “mesmerize” any man…” my wife said.

“What...? Mala said that she could “mesmerize” any man…? So what...?” I said. 

“I told Mala that she could not “mesmerize” you – I told her that you were an old-fashioned “prude” – I told her about how you had refused to take Menaka to the city…” my wife said.

“What…?”

“In fact – it was Menaka who told everyone the story about your strange prudish behaviour – and – everyone laughed...” 

“Oh…”

 “And then – Mala boasted that she could easily “mesmerize” you into taking her to the market on your bike...”

“Really…”

“But – everyone said that you would never take Mala on your bike. And – I also said that Mala would not be able to “mesmerize” you into taking her to the market on your bike...” 

“Oh…” 

“So – Mala dared me to take a bet – and – I took a bet with her…” my wife said.

“Oh – so you are angry because you lost the bet…” I said to my wife.

“No – I am worried that I may lose the “second bet”…” my wife said.

“Second bet…? You took two bets with Mala…?” I asked my wife.

“Yes. The “first bet” was that she could “mesmerize” you into taking her for a ride on your bike…”

“Okay. She won that bet. What was the “second bet”…?”

“Mala said that she could “seduce” you…”

EPILOGUE

Did Mala try to “seduce” me…?

Did she succeed in seducing me into having an affair with her…?

Well – Dear Reader – that’s another story.

But – one thing is for sure.

A “Plain Jane” has a more rollicking “Love Life” than a “Sex Bomb”.

Maybe – you may not agree with me – but this is a “universal truth” that I have observed during my college days – and – later – in my adult life too.

Ordinary looking “Plain Janes” have much more “Fun” than those ravishingly beautiful “Sex Bombs” 

You don’t believe me...?

Have a look around you – and observe – who is having uninhibited “fun” – who is having a really “good time” – the “Plain Janes” – or – the “Gorgeous Girls”…?

Tell me – Dear Reader:

Am I right...?

Or – am I wrong…?

But – Dear Reader – before you go away – please answer the “moot question”:

Am I a “Prude...?

Or – am I a “Dude”…? 

See you soon – with another “love story” from my wonderful Navy days. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised repost of my story PLAIN JANE posted online earlier by me Vikram Karve in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog on May 10, 2016 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/05/plain-jane.html  and reposted at url:  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/sex-bomb-and-plain-jane.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/am-i-prude-or-am-i-dude.html