Priya gazed at me earnestly as she outlined each rule, providing examples to clarify expectations. She began with the first tenet.
"Rule number one Amita," Priya stated firmly, "is that Pratima is to be referred to using feminine pronouns only. She is no longer a man - in fact, she identifies fully as a woman named Pratima."
Priya glanced over at her spouse who bowed demurely at the instruction. Turning back to me with a solemn expression she continued laying out the ground rules for our new dynamic.
"Second," Priya proclaimed, "you are not to lift a finger for any household task. Not dusting, not vacuuming, nothing." She gazed around imperiously before fixing her daughter with a stern look.
"Pratima is solely responsible for all chores - cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, you name it. She lives to serve us now.”
I gazed at mother in astonishment, scarcely believing what I was hearing. Surely she couldn't be serious! "What do you mean? How can Pratima take care of everything by herself?”
Priya regarded me calmly as she elaborated on the second rule. "Pratima's sole purpose is to serve and please us now Amita. She revels in being ordered around.”
Mother gazed at me, her expression softening slightly as she gave an example. "For instance," she gestured towards the coffee table where a TV remote sat conspicuously, "you could simply order Pratima to fetch that for you.”
Mother smiled encouragingly as she continued. "She would happily oblige without question or complaint.”
Mother gazed at me warmly as she provided another example. "You needn't pick up your own dishes after dinner either. Simply direct Pratima to clear the table and she will do so gladly.”
Mother leaned back on the plush sofa, a satisfied smile playing about her lips as she envisioned this new domestic arrangement.
Mother gazed wistfully into the distance as she reminisced fondly about one such incident. "Just yesterday I made Pratima walk up and down the grand staircase several times carrying various items.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she recalled the scene. "First it was a glass of water, then some snacks, followed by my book and finally my phone." Priya chuckled softly at the memory.
Mother gazed at me serenely as she outlined Pratima's duties in meticulous detail. "If you need to bathe, Pratima will draw your bathwater for you," she stated matter-of-factly.
"And when you're done, she'll arrange a fresh towel and robe for you." Mother regarded me steadily, her expression calm yet firm.
"For me Pratima assists with drying off and dressing afterwards but for your comfort I think it best if we refrain from such intimacies.”
She reached over to pat my hand reassuringly. "You can still manage those tasks yourself dear.”
Mother gazed at me earnestly as she outlined the next rule. "Pratima must always curtsy when entering a room," she instructed firmly, "and afterwards whenever an order is given.”
Rule four "She is to remain silent unless spoken to directly by one of us," she stated flatly.
"And when she does speak, it is always with respect.”
"The final rule Amita dear," she proclaimed triumphantly, "is that Pratima must always wear six inch heels and saree only.”
Priya gazed over at her spouse admiringly as if to say "Isn't she stunning?" before fixing me with an expectant look awaiting my response.
I sat stunned, scarcely believing the strictures mother was laying out. Surely this couldn't be right! But Priya regarded me calmly as if dictating common sense.
"It's all Pratima's own rules actually," Mother confessed with a wry smile. "She enjoys being bossed around and made to serve.”
"Your father has always been such a gentle soul, so eager to please.” Her expression softened lovingly before continuing. "Living as Pratima fulfills him in ways you and I could never comprehend." Mother turned back to me with an indulgent smile.
I gazed at mother in astonishment, my head spinning from all the revelations of the evening. It was a lot to take in - father's true identity, the new domestic arrangements, Pratima's complete subservience.
Finally I nodded slowly, still struggling to process it all but accepting their choice nonetheless. "Okay mother," I acquiesced wearily. "I understand.”
I trudged upstairs, exhausted from the long day of travel followed by this emotionally taxing conversation with Priya. Entering my room, I gasped in amazement to see everything had been tidied and arranged perfectly as before.
My strewn clothes lay neatly folded on the bed, makeup and toiletries put away in their proper places. Even the towel I'd carelessly dropped on the floor was nowhere to be seen!
Just then I heard Priya call out from downstairs, her voice echoing up the marble staircase. "Pratima! Water NOW.”
The familiar clicking of stiletto heels against stone and jangling of anklets preceded Pratima's ascent up to mother's room to fulfill her command once more.
The end: Chapter 1.
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Discussion (1)
Very nice story, it will be really exciting to know how Pratima started being Pratima after their kids left