Speed-breaker

What would my life be without Sandhya, thought Siddharth...Sid and sandy are married for three years now and it was an arranged marriage. Life was beautiful with each day dawning with sandy’s love and care for him.

Sandy decided to take life slowly and had quit her job soon after the wedding was fixed. She knew how difficult it is to handle both work and home and compromise happens at either of the places. She wanted to be a contented home maker, a loving spouse and a caring mother rather than running behind money and ending up in stress, anxiety and no time for loved ones. She herself had been alone at home may times as her mom was working and these thoughts came to her when she was in school. Even after three years of wedding, they did not have any kids which made both of them worry sometimes, but both trusted that they would have a baby soon.

Sid is a careless guy, who loves to spend money, being joyful and playful and needless to say, sandy is jus the opposite as all girls are! She always wanted her house to be spic and span and cannot tolerate any imperfect activities at home but all the shouting fell on Sid’s deaf ears. He always needed a push from her for everything to be done at home. If he has to wash the clothes, she had to remind him, for paying bills, she had to remind him! Sandy stopped telling him and started to do more. She decided to do all the things by herself instead of having a maid and that added more things to be done at home.

The first five days of the week, sandy had to do all the cleaning, washing vessels, clothes, etc... Come weekends, Sid is in holiday mood! By Sunday afternoon the house is in a bad shape and sandy has to put her extra effort in addition to the outings, dough preparations, visiting parents, special menus, etc, etc...

It all started suddenly when sandy had a bad cold and it developed in to fever. She could not even stand by herself and needed help. They could not call her mom to help as they were away for a day and Sid’s parents are very old to help. The doctor finally said that she needs to be admitted in a hospital for a day or two. Finally, they both left for the hospital and sandy was admitted. As per the rules of the hospital, Sid was not allowed to stay and he came home.

The moment he opened the door, he missed Sandy. How lovingly she would open the door and plant a kiss on his cheek every night when he comes back from work. He went in to the kitchen to make something for him to eat. He kept rice and dhal in the cooker and started to cut ladies finger. He was reminded how food waited for him every night in the hall with a remote control and a water bottle. He jus have to come and sit and start eating watching the television. Slowly, he made dinner and started to eat. Though the food didn’t taste much, it was not bad. He suddenly realized that he forgot to add salt in dhal talking to his parents and sandy’s about the updates. He lazily went in to the kitchen, came back with the salt and finished eating dinner. He then deposited all the vessels in the sink to clean up the next morning and went to sleep.

Next day, when he woke up, the clock was showing 7:30 already! He had to hurry up now to go and see sandy. Hurriedly, he called up his manager to remind him that he is taking the day off. He boiled the milk and made bourn vita for himself. Though it was good, it did not come near what sandy gave him each day with a good morning and a sweet kiss! He took bath, took a salwar kameez set and a nightie for sandy and packed them neatly in a bag and left for the hospital.

Sandy was still lying down on the bed but was happy to see him. She wanted to go and brush but the nurse told her she wasn’t allowed to do so as she did not have enough stamina. So, sandy had no option but to sit down on the bed. The nurse brought her breakfast which comprised of corn flakes, milk and bread. Sandy asked if Sid had anything to eat and he gave her the dresses he had brought with him. After the breakfast, they both kept talking for sometime.

Time was 9 am now and the doctor was coming for rounds. He came up to sandy and saw Sid beside her. Doc smiled at Sid and asked him to come and meet him. Sid went to the doc’s room and was little tensed as to what might be in store. Then the doc said that Sandy is getting better and the best news is that she has conceived!! And she needs lot of care as she is weak already and needs lot of nutritious food and loads of love and care. Sid had just one question to ask – ‘when can I take her back home?’ The doc smiled and said that she can be discharged that evening.

Sid came back to sandy’s room and saw that she was asked to lie down. Her face lit up seeing him and asked him what the doctor had to say. Then Sid hugged and kissed her and told her the much awaited news that she could be sent home the same evening by 7pm. Tears started to roll from sandy’s eyes and looking at her, Sid too felt the same.

He called up his boss and extended his leave for a week. The next call he made was to inform sandy’s mom about the news and that they wanted her services now. She and her hubby readily agreed to come home and then Sid informed his parents about the good news and that she would be taken care by his parents-in-law.

He stayed in the hospital for some more time and as the nurse suggested that sandy needs to sleep, he said bye and promised to come by 3 in the afternoon. By the time he came back home, it was 10 am and the sink was waiting for his attention. He had some coffee and biscuits and watched a news channel for sometime. Then he went in to the kitchen and cleaned those vessels.

Suddenly an idea struck him and he decided to give a surprise to sandy by keeping the home clean! He vacuumed the house, kept all the things in order and washed his clothes and socks. There was a tap needing repair which he had postponed all these days and now is the time to act. He went out to find a plumber, brought him home and repaired the same. It was 1 pm and he went to pizza hut to have his lunch. So tired by the day’s events, he slowly fell asleep.

By the time he woke up, it was 3 pm. He quickly washed his face, ensured everything is fine at home and left for the hospital. On the way, he stopped to take some fresh juice for both of them and reached the hospital around 4pm. Sandy was now sitting on the bed eagerly waiting for him. He handed over the juice to her and took his and she started having it.

The nurse came up to check her finally before she left the hospital and Sid was asked to go and meet the doctor for the formalities. The doc told Sid that diet chart is also prepared for her and she needs care for another 3 months and that she’s not allowed to do any tiring jobs such as cleaning, etc... After paying off the bills, Sid took the things and kept them in the car. After thanking the doctor, slowly he took sandy by the arm and took her to the car and made her sit comfortably. As he had already informed his in-laws that keys are with their neighbor, they were waiting at home and sandy’s mom had prepared a simple yet sumptuous dinner for them all.

Sandy came home and was very much surprised to see the house tidy. That night when they retired for the bed, Sid told her how badly he missed her and that from now on, he would also do his little to help her. Sandy kissed him again and said this hospital stay has brought a major change in him. He jus said the three little but powerful words “I love you” and both of them slept peacefully.

I dedicate this story of mine to all the loving husbands out there, who need some speed breakers in life to realize how much their spouses make their lives meaningful. In our hectic daily schedule, we forget to acknowledge their love and care and hence small gaps arise. But this is a very special relationship which needs constant maintenance for a smooth functioning.

I would be very happy to know if someone realized and told “I love you” to their spouse after reading this…