MOM's WISDOM

            Dev and Sakthi were in relationship for 4 years and got married a year ago. Dev was born and brought up in Chennai, capital city of Tamilnadu. Sakthi is from Madurai which is located in the southern part of Tamilnadu. Dev completed his post-graduation in structural engineering in the Civil Engineering department of CEG campus, Anna University. Sakthi has done her bachelors from civil engineering from the same campus.

It was Strength of Materials laboratory where Dev and his friend Nandu were teaching assistants. Dev was of dark complexion, with a french beard, which was a trend, he has well carved physique which any women can desire in their partner. He always felt low about his height. He was directing everyone into the class being at the entrance as it was first class for every student. There they explain about the experiment they were going to perform. Then he had met his love of life. A magic charm which has drawn him towards her. It was Sakthi. She didn’t notice Dev at the entrance. After completion of the explanation in the classroom every student was supposed to enter the laboratory with notes they have taken during the explanation. While getting into the laboratory Sakthi wore apron and tucked her hair in. He started missing her long curly hair already. He thanked the Almighty as he didn’t miss the sight of her beautiful eyes and the prettiest smile, which he was watching throughout the class during lecture hour.

“Sir”, called Sakthi. Nandu was about to go to her. Immediately Dev came near by Nandu saying that I will look after it. Nandu understood his intentions in attending her. Nandu simply got away from there and left the chance to Dev to attend Sakthi.

“Yeah, say”, said Dev.

“Sir, I am unable to understand how to operate this Tension Meter”, said Sakthi.

“No need to be tensed it is quite easy”, replied Dev.

That was the first time Sakthi had a glance of Dev. She started fancying him. They both unknowingly ignored the fact about their presence in laboratory.

“Sir, still I don’t understand this”, said Sakthi.

There he got an opportunity to exchange the number with the beauty and he ceased it.

They became very close to each other before the semester ended and they fell in love before Dev left the campus. He got a job in L & T construction and their relationship continued for more three years. Sakthi has also completed her studies and got a job in Chennai itself. They spent their time happily in Chennai in the weekends and some weekdays also if they wanted. Their wedding happened on 18^th, November, 2018 with all the difficulties usually every couple faces in this nation. But they felt fortunate and tears rolled down on Sakthi’s cheeks when Dev tied the nuptial thread and kissed her on forehead. They started their life as a family in Hyderabad where Dev got transferred before two months of his marriage.

She resigned her job before one month of her marriage. She never felt bad about being a home-maker. Because she wanted to become a home-maker after her marriage. She enjoys herself by decorating the house and trying different recipes. She spends her evening with Dev after he returned from office. They go to theatres, restaurants, and shop groceries for home in the weekends. In weekdays, they spend their evenings by talking about their day, watching some programs on the television, talking to their relatives over phone etc. Every day spent was a happy day in their life. It’s been one year they got married.

The rays from sun falling through the windows were slowly penetrating Sakthi’s eyes as her sleep was little disturbed with the alarm. Dev was snuggling into her. She somehow woke up leaving him undisturbed on bed. Sakthi planted a peck on the cheek and wore Dev’s T-Shirt on the floor with a cute smile and left the room.

 

She was toing and froing in the swing, holding a hot cup of morning coffee, which was hanged in their portico. It was her favourite place in their home. Recollecting the dirty talks and private moments they had previous night over bed, she became a blushing blossom. As there are no houses nearby, she enjoyed the orange-red sky, active birds and the stray animals which can be seen through the entrance gate. Ringing bells of wall clock brought her back from thoughts. She straight away went to kitchen and prepared a green tea for her husband. He pulled her on to him looked in to her beautiful eyes. She wanted to be cuddled in his arms but forcefully she dragged herself back from him.

“Dev, its 7’o clock now. Have this tea and get ready for office or else you would be late”, said Sakthi. Dev finally got out of bed and had his morning tea. Dev cut vegetbles and helped Sakthi to prepare food for the day. Dev had his breakfast after taking bath and took the food packed by Sakthi for lunch. He hugged Sakthi and kissed her on forehand and left to office. She started her chores after having her breakfast.

It was Friday evening, she made coffee for herself and sat at her favourite spot in their house. She was digging into her heart. She started feeling sad for herself. She started missing charm in their relationship. She started to feel that she was doing everything for dev like taking care of him in each and every part as a wife. She was feeling happy about that. But the routine life makes her to think bad and bored of it. She always wanted her husband to take care though he loves her a lot. Then she questioned herself that did he really do any work for her. She replied herself that he cuts vegetables sometimes. But she couldn’t convince herself with that answer. She raised another question that at least once in a month or out of blue did he prepare coffee and wake her up. Even this got an answer as perfect no. After the answer, a spark lit her and she felt that he can’t even take care of her. She observed that she is doing everything as a normal housewife like old days. She felt sorry for herself. But she didn’t disclose it to dev.

Dev arrived home at 7 o clock in the evening.

“Shall we go to a restaurant”, asked Dev.

“Yeah, sure”, said Sakthi, “Which one?”

“10 minute drive from our home, named Farmer’s Table”, said Dev.

She made herself ready half minded. She didn’t want Dev to know this. She acted normal. They reached restaurant. The ambience was really soothing. Perfect to alter her mood and helped her to bring herself from the bad mood she had. They ordered the food items and started talking to each other.

Dev initiated the conversation about his colleague ‘Raj’. Raj is Dev’s close friend in Hyderabad. He talked about the fight between Raj and his wife, which Raj revealed during their lunch hour discussions. The fight is about small expectations from his wife. The food arrived and they started eating. While eating, Dev made fun of those expectations. She got angry.

“Dev let’s change the discussion”, she said.

He felt something fishy, so he stopped. They completed their meal. Sakthi burst into tears as soon as they reached their home. He was shocked and confused to see those tears in her beautiful eyes.

“Why are you making fun of woman’s expectations? I really can’t digest such a kind of reaction from you”, Said Sakthi in a serious tone.

“Why can’t a women expect from her husband. Each and everybody in this world expects from their spouses. The fact everyone agrees is that relationships would grow on reaching someone’s expectations and keeping up ones trust.

“Have you guys ever noticed the work that we are doing for you?” asked Sakthi emotionally. The work we do in putting you in comfort, we never treat it as a work. We do everything with the love and care. Then she realised that she is yelling out at him for a discussion which they had about Raj’s wife and she apologised. Dev replied, “Its ok.” But in his mind he is still confused. He didn’t want to open up. They have reached and went to their bed immediately.

Next day morning Sakthi woke up with the smell of coffee on the bedside table. She woke up immediately and searched for her husband. She took the coffee and start towards the kitchen. She was about to open the bedroom door but Dev opened from the other side. He smiled and winked at her. She got confused but she smiled at him.

He moved her to the bed and said “Hey darling I took the day off just want to spend with you.” He continued, “One more thing for today you are not allowed to come out of the bedroom till tomorrow morning.” She was surprised with his gesture. He cooked all the meals and they spent the whole day by watching their marriage videos, albums and favourite movies etc. she felt very happy about the day and at the same time realized her wrong justification about her husband. They made out with the all the emotions she had and slept very nicely. She woke up in the next morning with the kiss on Dev’s cheek. She went to kitchen and got a heart break by seeing the dirty kitchen where she spent most of the days in a year to decorate and maintain it well.

She screamed, “Dev.”

Dev woke up suddenly by hearing that scream. He ran into the kitchen. He felt something happened to his wife. He turned her and felt happy that nothing happened to her. She was in tears. He asked for the reason. She started shouting at him for making the place like dump yard. The countertop was greased with oil and floor. Gas stove was covered with the layer of soot which happened may be by the spill of milk while making tea. The kitchen sink was filled with the utensils to clean. The containers were disturbed from their original position in the rack. Some of them were open. Then she opened the fridge and saw him with the utmost anger. Nothing was covered with the lid in fridge. Every container was open and the wall has an art with the spill of sauce and chutneys.

She said, “You don’t know anything at all.”

He replied in an angry voice, “You don’t even realize the effort I put yesterday for you. You are a person who doesn’t even count the effort which I do to impress you. You always remember my mistakes and you are always rude to me.”

They both argued with each other. She started crying and sat on the sofa. He went to office without even saying a bye to her. She sobbed for an hour and called her mother. She explained the past two day’s happenings in the home.

Her mother heard everything patiently over the phone. She understood the situation and started explaining to Sakthi, “The husband and wife relationship must not be a business happening between to persons and it is not such a bond which would grow strong in a year. Though you were in relationship for more than 4 years, but living under the same roof is different my dear daughter. You just crossed the honeymoon phase of your life. You have to think a lot and make him to understand your view. You have to teach him like a baby and vice-versa also. Instead of finding the mistakes he had done yesterday, just think about the love he showered on you.

Nowadays most of the boys don’t know how to do the household chores even your brother he never put his clothes in the machine for a wash. It’s my mistake too. I taught you everything and now it’s the time you have to teach him everything in a calm way. If you are expecting something, go and tell him in person without inhibition. He may not catch up sometimes. You have to make your mind to show the love and listen. Don’t think that you are the one doing everything for him to put him at ease. You have chosen this life. You told me initially to be available for him whenever he needs. So avoid blaming each other and it’s a kind of learning process in life. Now be calm and talk to him. Don’t even utter a word just call him. He will talk to you normally.”

She cut the call. After giving a long thought about the conversation with her mom, she called him to greet.

He attended the call and said, “Sorry ma. I love you and I try to do everything in a proper way. She apologized to him and they talked for few minutes in a lovely way.”

She realized how her relationship is to be maintained by hearing to her lovely mom. She thanked her mom in her thoughts for passing the general wisdom of her married life, which she gained in her life. 

© Sathya Ale

20/04/2020