Husband - Wife

A lady data entry operator approached me the day before yesterday, limping. I asked what happened. She said, “Sir, I was late today as our home entrance iron gate fell on my big toe. I need to go a bit early today, around 4 p.m., because I have a doctor’s appointment." I simply told her; your attendance is marked for the day. Please go home, show some good GP, and take some rest.

But, sir, December 31st is fast approaching, and I have a task in hand: completing the ERP entries. I said no problem. For the next two days, WFH is approved. Be with family and complete the task as per your convenience.

Head bent she said what to say: I do not have WiFi at home. Sheepishly, I asked, what does your husband do to earn money, and what about your children? How do you manage to function without WiFi? She shot back that system entries require more bandwidth, and the NET through my handset does not support it. The time increases to 3x. I said no issues; I am still okay if the work is delayed beyond the 31st.

She remained silent. Seeing her condition, I asked her to sit down. After I made her comfortable, I softly inquired if there was something else you wanted to share. Yes, sir, I can’t do a single entry at home. We stayed in 1RK apartments. We are a family of four adults and one child, i.e., my daughter.

We had a flourishing small business until pre-covid. Left with no choice, my husband took to auto driving to sustain our family. Both the in-laws are detected with an initial cancer stage and are on the wrong side of their age. There is absolutely zero cooperation from them. Constant nagging is there, and I had to tend to their errands. As my daughter is only 7 years old, I can’t leave her alone at home.

There needs to be someone who could bring our daughter from school, take care of her, and give her food. Here, I must admit that I am blessed to have a loving and caring relationship with my husband.

During the morning, while I am preparing food and getting ready for the office, he takes up the role of feeding and dropping her off at school. Then he takes a short nap and goes again to bring her back. With quick bites for breakfast and packing my lunch for the office, I keep it specially cooked for my mother and father-in-law. In all these processes, our daughter is suffering. Most of the time, she had to partake in the simple, non-spicy food, which I had to make for all. God bless my husband. Here, he in-between takes our daughter to some eatery joints and makes her day.

My husband, after taking lunch, starts the day with Auto and continues till late evening. With all these hardships, he never complained or was abusive. In fact, most of his driving colleagues in his circle have fun every other day with liquor and cards. But he is poles apart. With his active support, I can work and support our family in a small way.

I remained silent for a couple of minutes and said, officially, I am allowing the next two days of leave. Have some time with your daughter in these two days. As regards the work completion, I will allocate it to someone from my team. Be assured that the pendency will be over by December 31st. This is the least I could, as a senior, do for you at present.

And lastly, next year, ask your husband to meet me; I will try to place him suitably within my circle. Let me see if I am of any support for his earlier business. With moist eyes, she left my cabin.