chapter 2

Outside Priya could finally let the bright, warm rays of the suburban sun wash over her fair light brown skin for the first time in what felt like ages. Her husband Jashin was right, she figured, they have been bouncing around towns due to her constant pessimistic nature and fixation to worry about every little negative thing that could potentially happen. It was a very unhealthy view of life, and not the energy a future mother should be having once her baby was born. And speaking of which, Priya could finally see, with a fresh new set of eyes, all the children in the neighborhood laughing and playing together on the sidewalks as their parents and neighbors would watch attentively from their lawn chairs sipping on their mugs of coffee on such a beautiful Saturday morning. It all looked so perfect, so peaceful, so serene and heartwarming...so why was there a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was, off?

"...Enjoying the sights?" A sudden new voice suddenly pierced through her mind and derailing her train of thought, quickly turning she would be surprised to see a rather short woman now standing next to her as if suddenly appearing right out of thin air nearly giving the pregnant woman a heart attack in the process. "Oops, sorry sweetie. Didn't mean to frighten ya. I got a little curious about who was moving in next door when I saw that real estate agent's car and your car parked near the driveway, sooo...thought I come have a look of you for myself. Hope you don't mind,"

Priya would fall silent for a moment, taking a second to assess the newcomer. No taller than Priya's shoulders the golden brown tanned woman wearing a simple black tank top t-shirt, spandex jeans, and flip flop sandals, was casually leaning her back against the bright white picket fence surrounding the new Maheswaran house before standing up straight upon meeting the Mrs. Having a very attractive, curvy hourglass body her short legs would give a visible sway to her step as her hands seemed to stay bound to her waist at all times, even when standing still only a few inches away from Priya who has now found herself ambushed into a sudden conversation without warning.

"Uh...no, not at all." Priya would finally manage to stammer out, finding herself somewhat memorized, no, more like paralyzed by the strikingly captivating hypnotic python gaze of this woman who from her accent sounded of exotic, Middle Eastern ancestry, most likely Egyptian based on her tone and mannerisms shown so far, even watching the swaying bangs of her refined, smooth black hair that was cut into a short bob like hairstyle created an unexplainably intimidating aura about her, making Priya feel a bit self conscious and uncertain of her own looks compared to a possible Egyptian goddess descendant such as her, despite being of Indian background herself.

"Is something the matter? You look absolutely pale, like you've seen a ghost."

"(Yeah, a drop dead sexy ghost.)" Priya would mutter inside her mind, her thoughts riddled with jealously which the woman seemed to pick up almost instantly.

"...I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have come by, especially unannounced." She would soon say, turning on her heels to take her leave.

"...No! No, sorry, it's not you, I promise. I may have watched one too many late night TV dramas to the point where I tend to feel uncomfortable around strangers."

"Oh, a fan of TV dramas you say? Well, if this was one of those dramas, what kind of character would you assume I would be?" She would ask from over her shoulder, even playing a bit coy by having a strand of hair being bound by her twirling finger.

"...Well, someone of your looks and...exotic accent, you would have to be, the villian."

The woman would huff a bit, crossing her arms and cocking her head to the side, no doubt feeling quite insulted by such a statement, especially after they just met. Priya would give a heavy sigh knowing she was wrong to think such a terrible thing.

"...I know, it's wrong for me to accuse you, and all these people, of being potentially dangerous."

"...Mm, I dunno. I like to think there's hidden layers to just about everyone you meet, makes life feel a little bit more, interesting~ So to speak, wouldn't you agree?"

"Umm...I, I don't know, I-"

"I'm kidding, hun. Everyone here is about as dangerous as a fresh baked cinnamon roll, it's suburban superiorism in its finest form. The American dream, apple pies cooling on counters and we all greet each other on a first name basis. Can't think of anywhere else to raise a family."

"Well, when you put it like that, I suppose there is no way I could say no to such a, very charming place. I take it you and your husband have been here for quite some time?"

"Husband? Why do you automatically assume I have a husband, why not a wife?"

Priya would let out an audible gulp, feeling like just stomped on a live land mine of a topic already, not having the slightest clue what to say or do next that won't get her into more trouble.

"I-I, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-to assume-I-"

"I'm just kidding, again! I don't even swing that way! Ha, you should have seen your face! God, that was priceless..." The short goddess would say, actually having to wipe a single tear from her eye from laughing so hard. "But in all seriousness, to answer your question, I'm single."

"Y-You are?"

"I know, shocker right? A total short stack bombshell of a babe like me? That's like, what? Top ten things guys look up on craigslist, ha! But eh, guess I just haven't found the right fella yet."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, but I'm sure someone as, um, charismatic as you, should find that special someone soon."

"I hope so, because it's finally Summer, the perfect season for some manhunting, and this little mama is feeling extra frisky~ Especially today, something is just, in the air for me~..." She would say with a wishful, dreamy sigh before her gaze finally met Priya's once more. "....I'm Anhka, by the way, your new next door neighbor."

"Nice to meet you Anhka, I'm Priya,"

While extending her hand to formally greet Anhka, Priya would almost immediately jump right out of her skin seeing the shorter woman let out a sharp gasp before suddenly dropping to her knees to press her ear against the indian woman's large pregnant belly. A couple of seconds would go by as her new neighbor would continue to purr softly, rubbing her cheek against her belly as Priya was frozen stiff like a deer caught in headlights.

"Mmm~ Sorry, I just can't resist listening to the sound of pregnant bellies, been like that ever since I was a kid. Some nights I couldn't even sleep without hearing such calm, soothing ocean like waves...and you...why, you're about the biggest, I've ever seen~"

"Oh, uh, th-thank you? I suppose-?"

"Mh-hm, to be honest, at first glance I thought you were just fat," Anhka would go on to say, much to Priya's expense and blow to her self-esteem. "But now, really looking at you, you're not just glowing, you're radiant girl~"

Despite the her words there was admittedly a very strange, overly sexualized undertone to her compliments as Anhka practically eyed her belly like she was holding up a large, priceless diamond in her bare hands. After a moment or two Priya would have had enough, placing her hands on Anhka's to gently push them off, just in time for Jashin to come by no doubt eager to see what his wife was up to, and delightfully surprised she already met the neighbors.

"Hello dear," he would say with a quick peck of his lips against Priya's left cheek. "Who's your new friend here?"

"Oh, Jashin, this is-"

"Anhka, charmed, I'm sure~" she purred, flashing her blue eye lined lashes at her husband Jashin, clear as day she had cupid's arrow wedged in deep in the tight, narrow space between her breasts, with one hand kept underneath them as she took the liberty of extending her hand to greet him, accidentally (or purposely) making them look fuller and perkier in rivaling comparison to Priya's own hormonally enhanced bust in the process.

"Ah, Ms. Anhka," Jashin would say while taking her hand in his, and planting a soft kiss against the surface. "Charmed, indeed."

This little act would make Anhka's smile grow wider, while Priya would have an expression that looked downright insulted her jaw went slack, but she knew deep down, it was just her husband being friendly and a gentleman for a good first impression with the neighbors...but it didn't stop her from suddenly getting in the way, huffing aloud and really throwing her weight around to wedge her large pregnant belly in between them for distance to be made.

"Ahem, it's...been a pleasure to meet you miss, but we have a long day of unpacking and moving in ahead of us, and I'd like to get started." Priya would state in a stoic yet firm manner, grabbing Jashin by his arm and guiding him away as fast as she could waddle.

"It's been a pleasure to meet you both, welcome to the neighborhood, I'm sure you'll absolutely love it here!" Anhka would call out with a friendly wave goodbye.

"She seems really nice," Jashin would comment as soon as they were out of view from her.

"Yeah, a bit too nice if you ask me."

"Nonsense, you worry too much. Everything will be fine, I'm sure."

"...I hope so."