A Complete Man

A Complete Man!! Oh!! Hearing this did you get nostalgic and remember an ad of a popular brand for men’s clothing. But, let me tell you. It’s nothing to do with that. Without further preface let’s dive into the story.

Poorva was overwhelmed, standing in the kitchen and scratching her head on this morning of Monday. She probably was having the worst Monday Blue’s feeling at the moment. Her house-help Aarti was ill and had informed her over the phone that she won’t be able to come today. The empty tiffin, the ravaged house (as if Tsunami had hit it the last day) and the sink full of dirty dishes were staring at her (more ferociously than the neighborhood Auntie). Poorva gathered herself and decided to prioritise the work. So, soon she setoff to prepare the lunch. It was already 30 minutes past 7, she had finished doing the cooking. Looking at the countertop, she had the worst feeling, as it needed a thorough cleaning.

Amit who was still in bed had no idea what Poorva was going through. Amit was her Mr Perfect, a perfect partner for her. Who loved her more than anyone else in the world?

 Soon then, Vidhi her 8 years old was out of her bed and needed all her attention. Poorva left everything to attend to Vidhi’s needs. The doorbell rang just then and there was the garbage collector. The phone bell rang almost simultaneously. The groceries she had ordered last night are ready to be received at the main gate of the apartment. Poorva, with phone in one hand and garbage bag in another attended to both of them. Now, she had to rush to the apartment gate to fetch the groceries as they were not allowed inside the apartment due to the COVID protocols. Having settled Vidhi with a glass of milk, Poorva ran down to fetch the groceries.

Oh my God!! These elevators take longer on a day that is hard hit with lack of time. Poorva rushing to the main gate, fetched the groceries. Suddenly, she remembered that she had to get Amit’s car cleaned by the cleaner. In all this rush this skipped out of her mind that Amit had requested her to get that done the last night. She went on to hunt for the cleaner, only to find him in the farthest corner of the apartment. She instructed him thoroughly and asked him to fetch the keys from her flat. 

It was already 15 past 8 by then and now she had to rush back to get Vidhi ready for school. She hurried her pace and took the stairs to 9th floor, as she didn’t have the patience and time to wait for the elevator. During all this run she felt like losing against time. How she will manage all the work? How she will be able to attend her office? She had a very important meeting today (I don’t know why, but all important meetings happen on hard hit days). How much at this moment she wished Amit had the zeal to help her with the household chores, at least on such dreadful days. She knew Amit was a PERFECT husband but what if he becomes COMPLETE.

With all this turmoil going on in her head, she reached her flat huffing and puffing, only to see the cleaner waiting outside for the car keys. (By the way cleaner took the elevator so he was there before Poorva could reach home. Now how irritated she felt about her decision to take the stairs). She felt like running the marathon all the way and giving up at the end. Half heartedly she opened the main door of the house only to be see this!!!

Vidhi was ready for the school, and there was Amit standing and smiling at Poorva’s reaction who was still standing mouth and eyes wide opened. Giving the car keys to the cleaner, she turned towards Amit. The two exchanged glance and Amit gave an assuring glance to Poorva. Like a warrior in the battlefield, Poorva was again charged up to be head-on with her circumstances. Amit offered to drop Vidhi to her school as the school bus was already missed.

Amit helped Poorva with the rest of the chores and together they both won the battle against time.

“Thanks Amit!! for understanding my situation and helping in the household chores.”

“I am sorry Poorva for being so indifferent all these years. Today, when Vidhi told me how tensed you were, I realised my mistake and thought to change.”

“You know Amit you were my PERFECT man always but now you are a COMPLETE man.”

Shruti Goyal

Author’s View

It is often seen in Indian households that the household chores are thought to be primarily a responsibility of the females of the house. No matter whether the female is a working woman or a home maker. It’s time to change the perspective from being a PERFECT MAN to a COMPLETE MAN.

Disclaimer

The story is written for fun purposes and not to undermine or glorify any gender. It’s just to bring out the fact that both genders are equal and should share equal responsibilities. This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to anything or anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.