Movie Time

Sita knew Ajit so well. He was hardworking and sincere at the office but lazy at home. He would never venture out on a Sunday. Getting up late, he would take it easy for everything and laze around. Fortunately, he loved spending time with the kids. They too loved playing with their dad. So always it was a game of cricket or badminton in the backyard or an outing to the beach if they managed to convince him. Sita loved movies, and had tried to drag him to the theatre many a time, but every time there would be an excuse.

‘So what was different today?’ she wondered. 

Little did she know that Ajit had been trolled by his colleagues on the previous day for being such a damp squib. His close friend and colleague, Anand, had mentioned that he wanted a half-day leave of absence because he had booked tickets for a movie with his wife.  

“Smita deserves the outing,” he said. “All through the week, I am not able to give her much time as we held up in the office with work. She manages everything alone, the kids, their school and home. So I make it a point to take her out for a movie or drama or a music program. We have dinner outside and then pick up the kids from my mother’s place. My mother enjoys having the children for a few hours.”

He had asked Ajit about his wife and how they managed their outings and was stunned to know that they never spent time alone. Ajit had pondered over the conversation and realized that his Sita was even more deserving than anyone else for the simple joys of life. And opportunely, when he returned home, Sita mentioned about the kids having to attend the birthday party of one of their classmates whose parents had arranged an event at a nearby mall.

Nine years of marriage and this was the first time that Ajit and she were visiting a theatre to see a movie together. The kids had been dropped at the party and they would have to be picked up only at around 10 in the night. Being a Sunday, he had suggested taking in a movie at the theatre and then going from there to pick up the kids. Sita had been flabbergasted, but without a second thought, she had agreed.

“Nine years is a long time, isn’t it?” he asked as if reading her thoughts.

“That’s okay,” she replied. “We have been doing so many other things like vacationing abroad or taking the kids for a fun outing. And since we can see the latest movies on our laptops at home, we have not missed anything much, have we?”

“No, my dear,” he said holding her hand. “We have missed a lot. Seeing a movie at home with the kids is different. But coming to the theatre and taking in a movie with you alone is completely different. I am enjoying it.”

“Me too,” she replied smiling softly.