Matrimony

Lakshmi

Lakshmi was a simple middle aged married woman with a simple life. She had no big aims, no hopes and no aspirations. She lived every day as if it was simply her duty.

Sometimes, her husband, Govind came home with grand plans of the future- their own house, a car and a better locality. She never liked the neighborhood. In the sixteen years she had lived there, she never liked any of the neighbors. The thought of moving into a street with grand houses with sophisticated neighbors discussing Star Plus soaps and political problems always made her smile. But she could not be too happy, lest she cast the evil eye on his plans.

She knew Govind worked hard to save. But his dream appeared so far away, and the road so uphill that she did not think they could make it with Govind’s hard work alone. She believed she had her own share of sacrifices to make. She cooked simple meals, never got new saris for festivities, never went to social gatherings and neither had any at her home. She haggled with the vendors and screamed at the neighbouring kids thieving her pickle.

She had overheard her neighbors talking about her a couple of times between criticisms of their mother in laws. And she heard nothing pleasant. The thought made her sad. But she consoled herself that when they move to the new house, none of them would be there to blabber.

Then she looked at Govind himself. He worked so hard, always had something to do, somewhere to go. Sometimes, he didn’t even come home at night. And he was always traveling. She could imagine him buried in papers in his office, haggling with suppliers and getting rebuked by buyers and his boss. And in face of this, her hardships seemed nothing. If not for herself, for that man, she was ready to endure anything.

Govind had always loved her, though it was a different kind of love. Of course she could never forget the first night when he had forced himself on her and then left her bleeding and crying . But how else would a first night be? And he always took care of her and asked what to get when he went out. And he sometimes made her sit and listen to his plans. What if his rebukes were harsh? He worked hard and earned bread for his family. Where would a man show his anger and authority if not in front of his wife?

Tomorrow, Govind was going to see a flat. He had seen a number of flats before, but he never liked any of them. It was a Sunday, but there was no reprise for the man. She pitied him as she ran her hand softly on his back. ‘Let him sleep in peace. Tomorrow might just be the day.’ she thought to herself and smiled as she closed her eyes.


Payal

Six years ago, the only thing Payal saw was the glass cabin and the revolving chair in front of her cubicle. She still cannot see anything else, though she has a closer view now, from her desk in the corner. And yes, she is married as well, but that is another matter.

Payal has been happily married to Govind for six years now. And people still get surprised. Yes, there was a time she did not even believe in marriage. But it took a man like Govind to change her views, to sweep her off her feet and bind her in his matrimony. And she has never regretted this decision.

Govind, for her, was the most considerate husband anybody could ever have. They met in a personality development conference for support staff. After a heated discussion over coffee, they became friends. Six months later, they got married and moved into a bigger flat.

He existed in her life only from five in the evening to eight in the next morning. The rest of the time, he did not mind being forgotten as he forgot her. No mushy calls or romance during office hours- that was an unspoken principle. His long travel schedules meant he did not come home on a lot of nights. But she did not mind that either.

What was important was the time they spent together. She wanted to make every moment special for both of them. They usually went out for dinner, talked about their office experiences, shared jokes and laughed together. Back home, they watched some romantic movie cuddled up in each other’s arms and eventually got pretty wild over each other. Their lovemaking was perfect; and made her smile when she thought of it later.

Tomorrow, he would come to spend the entire Sunday with her. It has been more than two weeks of traveling and they haven’t had time together. ‘Tomorrow, he will be here’ she thought wishfully looking at the empty bed. ‘Tomorrow I’ll make his day the most special he has ever had’ she thought to herself as she smiled and closed her eyes.


Govind

Govind was born and did his schooling in his village. Only after he went to the city to do his higher secondary education did he realize what a frog in well he had been. By the time he got his degree, he did not want to go back to the village anymore. As soon as he got a job, he insisted his parents come and live with him. But they were adamant and he was too grateful to them to carry a grudge. So he let them be and himself went to see them once a month.

The fourth time he went there, he came to know that his marriage had been fixed. He was too young and immature to see the implications. So he agreed just to pacify his parents and the marriage took place in a huge ceremony in the village.

Lakshmi was a beautiful woman, but very shy. On their wedding night her shyness appeared very cute; but even later, no move of his provoked her, no touch aroused her. Frustrated, he forced himself onto the girl in anger. He still felt guilty at the thought, but what could he do? He was after all human, and had all the desires they come with.

Since then, they lived together, but at a distance. She never asked about, nor understood his work. And he never asked her what went on at home when he was away. He sometimes tried to converse by telling her that he wanted to buy a big house for both of them and the children; and a car as well. But the blank he saw in her face frustrated him.

Six years ago, he got a big promotion and was sent to a personality development program before he could join in the new position. There, he met Payal. In her, he found all that he had been looking for in Lakshmi all along. As they got to know each other and met more often, he got all the more frustrated over Lakshmi. Thrice, he contemplated divorce from her, but could never bring up the topic. She was too subdued to pull into a discussion, let alone an argument.

Soon, he could hold back no longer. That night, in Payal’s apartment, something snapped. As he walked out of the flat the next day, he felt freer. The marriage took place the following week in a quiet court ceremony. Soon, they took a flat in the end of the city farthest from his house.

Govind has gotten very busy in his work recently. In fact, his boss asks him to take a break sometimes. But he cannot go home. He cannot bear to look at Lakshmi’s face; neither can he smile back at Payal anymore. Tomorrow is a Sunday. He has promised this Sunday to Payal; and lied to Lakshmi that he was out to see the real estate agent. She would wait for him to return, however late it might be; waiting for him to get her a beautiful house. ‘How can I tell her that there is a house at the other end of the city? And it is beautiful with tiled floors, large windows and nice people next door.’ he thought to himself as he stared on at the darkness.