Argument!
‘Make sure, children are outdoors’ I said
‘They’re not in the house’ replied my wife Jennifer, as she steps inside the bedroom
Clean white appliqué bed sheets, strawberry musk, candle illuminating the four-walls, air of romance swooshing in the room through the little cracks of the window pane. It’s a special day for us, the Combesters! Thunder is roaring outside, clouds are dark, it seems wind wouldn’t be much far away, and take the clouds along the east.
What is the Combester couple upto? You might be thinking? What’s so special? Neither is the birthday of our family-member, nor is our anniversary. What else is special for us?
Ahhh....the day is not special; it’s just made special! We, (me and Jennifer) just want to rekindle some of the old memories. As if, we both needed proof of our own marriage.....
Are people born under a lucky star or some other charm which lets them so desirable?
“If wishes were horses beggars would ride”, seems correct.
Jennifer had been blaming me for not spending time from the day we had Natalia, our first born. Life gave us chances to be free-spirits many-a-times, holding each other’s hand, basking under the sun, on the yellow grains of sand of some beach in Spain, or Italy. But time is the devil! – all remained a dream. Whenever the mind is free of thoughts, time reminds the daily chores to get done, even if we’ve nothing of that sort to be called an important business, if not, then someone arrives with a message, ultimately, draining us out of our freedom. I can’t be solely blamed, as I’m the one who had plans, who has always been eager to take my family out on a vacation. It’s not my fault, as the fate had always been cruel.
At other times, Jennifer would act as a demure wife sitting at home, minding the house. After having children, whenever I planned a vacation, either the school of Natalia or the adolescence of Ricky came in between our family trip. And we remained where we’ve always been – the village of Oakrun. What a pity on our fate!
One thing is for sure – time doesn’t remain same, it stirs up, it changes everything, even thoughts. And, after years, it has finally solved what it took away from us – a thought of vacation. Though a thought, but a wonderful one.
Think of last Saturday - it wasn’t same. I, and Jennifer had a strong argument, as happens in every household, as years pass, when responsibilities get intense. Jennifer took the argument to heart, she wailed and moaned, shook me with, “You’re a complete.....! You’re this! You’re that!
Not just last Saturday, tussle has become a regular entertainment for us, especially from the past week. It did take place earlier, on Monday, even in the afternoon of Tuesday, when there wasn’t any chance of altercation. Each time it ended with me, slamming the door and visiting this friend or that one. And our children muttering among themselves : Why are mom and dad fighting? What happened to them?
My sixth-sense is sharp. Something isn’t right, my intuition says. Not just something, everything isn’t right. Jennifer is not in talking terms with me, I know. I tried once or twice, but, had to come back with a pumpkin-face, swollen and with an expression of failure. Though others call me a fool behind my back – more than that, I’m an emotional one. Jennifer is a Queen for me. She’s very admirable- at least for me! I ‘m nothing without her. She’s a goddess, arrived in my home as a gift for my last life’ virtues- that’s what I think. Although, a bit pudgy, yet her words are sharper than a knife. And when it comes to giving a lesson to her husband, she’s not less than any other wife. She knows where to scratch and how to quell doubts.
For all the time I’d spent alone from the past few days, for all the patience I’d shown, I ’d come to know that life is a game of coexistence. And coexistence is closely related to happiness. And the real happiness is when we do something for others. There are over a trillion-ways to make your partner happy. Of them I need just one. You heard it right. Just one! Anyway, I understand Jennifer well, know what makes her happy and sad. That’s me, talking to myself, “I know what would be good? I know what she wants?”
But me, this new, withered version of the original happy and naughty one, need a surprise for my lovely wife, to mend differences. I ought to be prudent while selecting the present, else I’d myself get one – days of staying alone. That’s what I did today. Planned a surprise! Thanks to the lord! Thanks a lot! Guess what, Jennifer wouldn’t have to complain again, as we, “the Combesters” are finally going to Europe. Time has solved what we lacked, as Natalia is twelve years of age and Ricky is seven years old now. I’ve to relay the message in a proper-way, with a sense of repentance - that’s what every wife wants.
“Are you okay, Jennifer?
“Yeah. Ummm..
No. No. No, I mean.... – I rehearse
"I have a surprise for you!
“Hmmmmm....
“I don’t want to ruin it.”, my mind says
Mm-hm.Mm-hm...
“So, um, what are you——?,
Don’t worry. I’m not going to propose again....” - my third rehearsal
Despite all the rehearsals, and the wandering in the backyard of my house, I know one thing for sure, that slowly and diligently, I’ve to let the cat out of the bag. Of all the important businesses, my prime priority for now is towards my children. I’ve to go to their school, as early as possible.
