I didn't expect you to help me, but..." You were thinking that we would just accept this without comment?"What could I say? "Let me ask you this then,... mom said quickly, as sheused her hand to raise my chin so I was looking at her, "if I told youto go change and never do this again, would you?"Using every bit of courage I had, while holding back a sob..."No," Isaid, "I just can't, not now!" And why not?" Because I...you wouldn't understand!" I said a little loudly as Istood up, tearing my hand. "Okay, ladies are we ready to go," Mom asked. We stood up as our answer and started for the door, then paused and waited for mom to join us."Where would you like to go first?" Mom asked."Can I get my ears pierced first?" I was no fool, I wanted it done before Mom came to her senses and forbade it.Mom said that it would be all right as we headed back into the center mall. She took us into Zales, her favorite jewellery store. We walked in and a lady asked if she could help. Mom said, "Yes, I. Pahele us chhote ladke ko le aana baaki mein sambhal lungi..Agle din woh market gaya aur apne dost ko le aaya…Woh kareeb r ke jaise he tha….Patla aur kale rang wala…..Meri biwi ne jaan bujh ker mini skirt pehne hui thi aur high heels bhi thi…..Woh ladka meri biwi ke taange dekhne lag gaya aur uska muh khula reh gaya…B: mujhe ghar mein thodi madad chahiye safai karne mein…..Tum raat ko ruk sakte ho help karne ke liye…..Yehi so jaana aur rs 100 dungi saath mein….Us ladke ki aankh he nahin hat. She took him to the bathtub, sitting in the slowly filling warm water first and leading him into it, placing him comfortably on her lap. They sat in the bathtub for a long time, Preetha holding Salim in her embrace. The headiness of the alcohol returned as she sat in the hot water, soaking in the warmth. The boy was reclined comfortably on her body, resting his head on her chest. Preetha's heartbeats pulsed in his ears. His body got fully relaxed by the warmth of the water and Preetha's warm.