That Fifth Anniversary

When I woke up, it was 7 o'clock in the morning. Normally, all over the world, offices are closed on weekends, but where does my company come in world ranking? Here we get holidays for August 15 and January 26 as though the company is doing a great favor to the nation. With great reluctance, I got up and looked towards Madhu and Slok who were giving a tough fight to Kumbhakarna in a snoring competition.

It was something special in Madhu that by, seeing her sleep, one can make out what was she dreaming. I could guess that she was either beating a poor thief or me with a stick in her hand.

When I touched my face, I remembered that I had not shaven for a week. Madhu had given me an ultimatum that either I go for a shave tomorrow or change my religion and become a sardar.

"Raghav dear.” My conscience prompted me, ‘Shave yourself before, Madhu wakes up. Otherwise her dream may become a reality for you."

Imagining myself being beaten by a stick, I came out of my room and switched on the FM radio of the stereo system kept in the hall.

" De Pyar De, Hame Pyar De " A song from Hindi movie " Sharabi" was being played ,which I started humming ,while entering the bathroom with a razor in hand to start the most boring work of the day.

As soon as I entered the bathroom, I got the darshan of Madhu in the form of Chandi Ma.

" Do you have any sense?" Madhu asked me turning her head in anger.

"What is the matter Madhu Ji? Look, I am shaving here."I asked blushing. Whenever, Madhu was angry, I used Ji after the name to address her respectfully .

“The sink get clogged when you shave after every 15 days and the drain get choked. I had to call the plumber last week and now you are shaving again.

Surprising I looked at my Gillette Fusion 5- blade razor and then towards Madhu, "Are you insane?"Do I crop my hairs from head to clog the sink. Talk with some logic. Gillette Company may sue you if they hear you speaking like this”. Saying this I wanted to replace the tube of the shaving cream into its holder, but was unsuccessful.

" You don't know how to keep the shaving cream properly"Madhu snatched away the tube from me , placed it on the holder after turning and said," You think yourself a "Tees Maar Khan"

"Only to see you in anger my hands started shaking," I told teasingly. ‘Any more complaint?."

“Nothing "Madhu went to the kitchen after seeing the condition of the bathroom. Wives have many types of third degree torture- one of them is to get angry and not to tell the reasons openly and to leave the husband guessing ,half his life ,worrying as to what was his fault?.

Ignoring the shaving cream still left on one side of my face, I went to the kitchen and asked Madhu innocently," Please tell me what have I done?"

"Do you do anything? From early morning, you start singing nonsensical songs, what else you do otherwise. After the use of toilet you forget to clean and cover it, do you do anything else? After bath, you leave the wet towel on sofa, what else you do? You do not keep the pressed clothes inside the almirah, what other work you do?"

There was lull for a moment, and then the song "Jor Ka Jhatka Haye Joro Se Laga " came from my FM radio, which matched the situation I was facing.

"I get head ache hearing such nonsensical songs. Don’t you have anything better?' Madhu said holding her head.

"Have I written those songs, they are not from my play list but coming from FM radio “Changing the station I said, I wish to hear songs with your name, but your parents have selected a name for you, on which there is no song composed so far. Juli, Kiran, Kanchan, Muni, Sheila, Rabri, Jilebi, even on your sister Monika's name, songs have been composed, except leaving your name." I provoked Madhu.

"You leave Monika .Had you wanted to hear my song; you could have changed my name after marriage."

I told assertively, “Our names are a part of our identities, and no one should be given the right to change it. I am not in favor of changing even the surname".

At last the smile came on the face of Madhu and she hugged me telling ," But I like the surname attached to my name,"Madhu Makhija" which looks as though someone is driving out flies from a sweetmeat shop”. Telling this Madhu took out a little shaving cream from my face, applied it on my nose and laughed out loudly.

Madhu may be getting angry thousand times in a day, but her smile brings happiness to me which cannot be explained in words.

Get ready, you may get late to the office. And come home early in the evening- we have to attend the birthday party of Neelu auntie's son in law.

"My dear, I could not make out in last 5 years of our marriage, the number of relatives you have. Why are they so fussy to arrange party every alternate day? Only day before yesterday, we had attended the Mundan ceremony of you maternal uncle's grandson”. I told teasingly.

"Why are you jealous seeing the families of Bhatia and Sharma so respectable in town?." Madhu asked

"I am not jealous; my life is getting shorter by these useless engagements. Sometimes it is a birthday and sometimes funeral. On other days, your relatives arrange discourse on Jangalkand.

"Jangalkand?" Madhu thought for a while and said "Please use the name properly, it is called Sundarkand"

How does it matter whether it is Jangalkand or Sundarkand? You family is famous in all Kand. While the discourse goes on in the front, the discussions on drinks may be going on at the back.

"Are your families anything special? Counter attacked Madhu." When your parents came to see me, I remember how did your mother probed me and asked whether my eyes were real. Height of it. Did she feel that they were of stone to ask me if I had implanted contact lens?"

"Probably she could not even believe that one may have such beautiful eyes”. I told controlling myself.

"Stop pampering and get ready” Madhu told pushing me out of kitchen.

"Be sure, I am not attending the evening function." I told while going to the bathroom.

“OK dear ,don't come, but what is the programme for tomorrow?” Madhu asked loudly

"Tomorrow's programme?" I thought while brushing.Suddenly I remembered that it was our fifth marriage anniversary. I had neither bought any gift for her nor did any planning.

"Raghav, you had it." prompted my conscience. It is definite that Madhu will divorce you this time. What will you do now?"

While taking bath , the lyrics of a song coming from the hall fell into my ears. "Sun Raha Hai Na Tu, Ro Raha Hoon Mai ...... ."

**

Well, after getting ready, I started for my office but throughout I was troubled by a single thought as to what gift I should buy for Madhu, which may save me at least from a divorce on the day of our marriage anniversary.

After reaching office my eyes fell on Samir who was working seriously on his laptop. Finding him deeply engrossed, I could make out that he was playing the game of Solitaire. When I called him, getting a little disturbed, he pressed the buttons Alt + Tab, and opened Outlook

"Don't be scared. It is me”. I told.

He was relieved suddenly, so opening his laptop once again and playing the game the Solitaire he said, "Who is scared?"We are to give attendance like a donkey even on Saturdays, over and about that all social networking sites are blocked. When there is no work how can one kill time without playing the game of Solitaire?

"Stop,revolutionary Samir. Stop. Let me give you work if you want .Imagining yourself to be a girl, tell me what gift would you have expected from your husband on your fifth marriage anniversary?"

"Dear brother, neither I am a girl, nor married. And so I do not expect any gift from anyone” told Samir raising his shoulder.

" But still you may have some idea. I have to give a gift to Madhu tomorrow for our fifth marriage anniversary. I am confused as to what to give".

"Brother, you are knocking the wrong door. Please go to a person who is an expert on this matter”. Amir pointed at Shetty who was reading a newspaper in the adjacent cabin.

Shetty, aged 40 almost, was a serious person by nature who had joined our company three months back. As he came from South he used to talk less with us. None knew much about him except the rumor about his divorce a few months back. Perhaps that was the reason for me to look at him but with no keen desire for consultation. Perhaps he had understood our intention and so he got up from his seat ,folding the newspaper carefully ,as if it was needed for reading tomorrow. Moving towards me, he told in South Indian accent," I heard you talking.

I would give you a million dollar suggestion. There is no need to present any gift. You had been living with your wife for the last five years. That is the biggest gift for your wife. Otherwise the government changes in five years."

"And our Raghav Sarkar is still going strong" told Samir smiling.

I could sense the reasons for Shetty's divorce. His pride and arrogance could have been the reason for his wife to see his government fall. I looked at Samir a little annoyed and told Shetty with folded hands,"Shetty Sir, what harm had I done to you for giving me this suicidal suggestion. Please give me some practical suggestion".

"Are Sala ! People of the new generation are cowards. They would like to spend the whole life under the pallu .Shetty got annoyed and shouted before leaving office, ‘Please listen, if you want to give gift there are two things which attract women- clothes and ornaments..Give anything out of these. He gave sensible tips as he left".

Samir said ," What he gave was bullshit "I told Samir from my seat ," Madhu's liking for clothes is not known to me “I gave a gift to her last birthday and she reacted as though I had left a dead rat in her hand".

“So give her gold ear ring. She may be happy" “She does not wear gold. She is allergic to gold.

“She gets rashes on her body," I explained. " You are a lucky fellow. May God give this type of allergy to all women" told Samir..

"I am in tension, still you act funny. Shortly Sai (brother in law) will come and ask for the file of tender papers of Sai Industries. Should I complete the file or hunt for the gift for my wife. We cannot do on line purchase on the last day."

Just then, there was a ring tone and Madhu's picture flashed on the screen of my phone.

“Why was Madhu calling? I lifted the phone and lovingly asked, “Tell me Madhu Ji. How can I help you?"

Instead of Madhu, the voice of Slok was heard on the phone. “Papa, why did you leave for office without doing masti with me?" today?”

I could understand that Slok had hacked Madhu's screen lock from her cellphone and that too he was talking to me without the knowledge of Madhu.

Sonie, it was a holiday for you , so allowed you to sleep. After returning from office office I shall do masti with you .Is it all right?" I asked.

"Promise?' Please come home early. There is a surprise waiting for you.

Sonie, I have to give surprise to your mamma. Why do you give me a surprise?"

"Surprise to Mamma? What is that? asked Slok surprisingly." I was thinking about it for some time. I told Slok "

Surprise is not divulged."You must not tell about the secret to Mamma. Is it all right? This will be our secret pact."

"OK papa, I leave the phone now. Mamma must be coming after bath. Please come early."

"OK Sonie, Bye ! I kept the phone and told Samir," I do not understand how the present day children are so advanced in technology ?When I was 4 years old, it was my only talent to eat the cotton from sofa."

"Were you a glutton from your childhood ?"Samir asked inquisitively.

"Abe, There was nothing in those days for time pass. No TV channels, no cell phones. There was a torn sofa with the cotton coming out".

I got an idea when you mentioned about cell phone. Why don't you give a new cell phone to your wife as a gift?.These are the days of selfies. Your wife will be happy. “ Samir said .

"The suggestion is good, dear." I told with happiness." Madhu had been complaining about her cell phone that it is hung regularly. I shall get a cell phone today and present to her as gift at 12 O’clock midnight ." Just then my boss entered like Gabbar Singh in movie Sholay and taking me for Kalia asked, "Raghav is the quotation of Sa Industries ready?"

I told being a little confused," Sir , the work on it is in progress, I shall give it soon.

“Hurry up. Before the end of the day, complete the file and show me. Bidding will be today evening."

"Noted Sir”, I said and got busy for the next 3 hours in that file , as a result I could not find time to decide about the type of Mobile for Madhu after an online search. When I looked for time, it was 2-00 PM

I remembered my promise made to Slok. I placed the file on boss's table and left for home.

As soon as I reached home, Slok came running, " Papa has come."

I lifted Slok on to my shoulder and entered the house where Madhu was sitting in an angry mood.

"What happened", I asked

"Have you seen the time? You could have finished your meal in the office" Madhu blasted.

"Dear Madhu Ji, Is there any hotel which prepares food as tasty as yours?" I tried to manage the situation.

"Leave it." Bring down Slok and eat your food. The food must have gone cold".

"No, Papa had told me that he would do masti with me first and took me to the akhada ie the bedroom," told Slok.

For Slok masti, meant Kushti, which he had come to learn from the movie Dangal that he experiments on me everyday. After being beaten for the next 15 minutes on all parts of my body and hearing the call of Madhu I was allowed finally by Slok to eat my food.

Just after the first morsel had gone into my mouth, Madhu asked,"Will you agree with me ?"

Even after agreeing with wife thousand times, she may put the same question next day “Will you agree with me?"

Understanding the intention of Madhu I said," Surely I shall agree." However, you should not insist me to attend the birthday party of your aunt's son in law. That I have made clear in the morning itself".

Have you ever realized how odd I feel to go alone for all functions? Madhu said tearfully.Everyone asks me why Raghav has not come. Still you want to spend the whole day in your office. There is something called social life, do you know? Why did you marry me, if you wanted to live like that. You could have married your company."

Marriage is like Salman Khan's masala movie, the beginning of which will be impressive but nothing new later. The very same stale scenes get repeated, without any story or logic, but a climax in the end with a long fighting scene. Probably only for this reason Salman Khan did not get married.

However, I did not have time for a fight. It was already 2-30 PM and I had to buy a cell phone for Madhu.

" Why should we waste our time for the birthday of someone's son in law? "I took a long breath and continued, “I don't promise but shall try to come early in the evening. Now I have to go, as a lot of work is pending in the office." saying this as I was about to come outof the house ,Slok said, "Papa, please see the surprise before you go.".

“Not now, dear. I shall see it on my return in the evening", I said and drove fast my vehicle and reached electronic showroom. "Tell me Sir , what I shall show you?" the salesman asked as I entered the showroom.

Before I could reply , I heard a familiar sound, " Hi Jijusa, how are you here?"I felt a little uneasy to find Monika, the younger but talkative sister of Madhu.

"I am not Jiju like, I am Jiju".

"Very funny!" Looking at me from top to bottom she said, “Your clothes are crumpled and hairs scattered”. Did you come after a nap at home? "

"Not after a nap but after getting beaten by your nephew. After all he has the blood of Bhatia family."

"That's true, How are you otherwise.?Have you come here to sell your 10 year old cell phone?"

"No" I said hesitatingly."I have come to get a new charger. I do not remember where I lost it in the office."

To tell Monika about Madhu's gift was like the breaking news in News channels. Next moment, the news will reach Madhu.

"So far you came only to get a charger?"This would have been available in any small shop near your office.” Monika got the training for cross-examination from ACP Pradyuman of CID

"Those will be duplicate .Tell me what are you here for?"I could see a box of new mobile phone in Monika's hand. Yet another mobile in your hand. Did you not buy one only three months before?"

"This is not for me but for Madhu. Is not her marriage anniversary tomorrow?"

I felt as if a bomb had been dropped on my head. Once again, I have to find some other gift for Madhu , for which I had no time.

"Why have you gone silent?"Monika asked me .

“Nothing" I told managing somehow." The marriage anniversary is for both of us. Have you bought a gift only for Madhu?"

“What is the need of a gift for you? You already have a precious gift- my sister. Monika started laughing at her own statement and said , "Please see what a nice cell phone I have bought for Madhu. It was launched only yesterday, which has got 32 megapixel cameras."

" 32 Megapixel?" I asked in amazement. "Why, do you want Madhu to get the pictures of Mars? My camera has 3.2Megapixel and takes good pictures.

"Jijusa, you are from old generation. Do you know this phone has moonlight function by which you can take selfie even at night?”

"We used to take selfie whole day. But now we may sit like an owl to cover the night shots”, I murmured.

Sales clerk of the showroom was anxiously waiting for our conversation to end. He asked me later, "Sir, a charger of which company you want?

"OK , Jijusa, I take leave, we shall meet tomorrow" Monika departed finally.

When I left the showroom, I had two things with me - a charger without any use and the disappointment of meeting Monika.

"Raghav, you are back to square one," prompted my conscience.

"Brother , which type of mobile did you buy for Bhabhiji finally?"Samir asked restlessly, as soon as I entered my office

I looked at him desperately and without giving, a reply sat on my chair.

“What happened, you look so worried? Did you lose the new cell phone?"

"Buddy, please don't ask.The idea of cellphone got cancelled. If you have any other suggestion please let me know."

Look Raghav, I gave the idea of cell phone because you had only a little time. I had read somewhere that the best gift for a wife is one, which she cannot give to herself. Now try to find out the rare gift which bhabhi might not find elsewhere.

"What is that which she cannot give to herself?" Child? I asked.

"You Fool? How can a child come in a day?"

"I was joking, my friend. Your idea is good. Gift, which one cannot give to oneself! Why did you not tell me this before? Instead of a gift from outside why not I make something myself which she had not received before?"

"What else will be so romantic?"Samir gave an indication of thumbs up.

I started imagining about that rare gift. Samir had told rightly that I had only a little time. I had to not only create the rare gift but also prepare the quotation for Sai Industries. Luckily, I could get the idea of the gift.

Every wife wants appreciation from husbands. However, I was poor at it. I felt that my appreciation would be mistaken for hypocrisy. Only because of those years passed by without any appreciation for her from my side. I thought this was the right opportunity to give her that surprise. I bought a pack of cards from the nearby shop. My concept was that each card will have a picture of Madhu on top and something in praise of her written on the other side. I wrote "50 reasons -why I love you?" on the first card. In other cards I wrote her special qualities which were worthy of praise.

Thanks to Face Book which helped me to get her pictures from childhood to adulthood. Thereafter the job was simple. I punched all cards by a punching machine and tied all cards with a red ribbon to take the shape of a small book. This was a real hard work of two hours. Color printer of the office was thoroughly exploited to complete my project. I had no time to behold my creation.

Hari Sadu had asked me four times about the quotation of Sai Industries. The time for bidding was getting nearer. The gift was wrapped and kept hidden inside my drawer. In another 15 minutes, quotation for tender was prepared and taken to the boss. Hari Sadu looked at me then his watch but did not say anything. Probably he may show his anger after the opening of tender.

It is said, if Allah is in your side, success is bound to come. The quotation made in haste somehow got us the tender of Sai Industries. The tormentor boss who looked at me in anger suddenly turned as a sanskari Alok Nath and started praising me. While coming out of office I thought " All's well that ends well" But then, who knew there were still more twists and turns in the story.

As I entered the house, I heard the sweet voice of Madhu.” Slok, someone had told that he would come early in the evening.” Whenever Madhu got annoyed with me, she communicated her anger through Slok.

I kept my laptop on top of the dining table. Lifting Slok, I entered the kitchen."Dear Slok, tell mummy that someone had told he would try to come early but that was not a promise" I said.

“Please bring me down, there is Siva on TV”. Slok was fully aware of our daily bickering. He was in a position to understand by now that we were trying to win him over but showed no interest in it. He got down from my shoulder and started watching the cartoon network. Madhu had no way out than to talk to me direct.

I see the result of your efforts." Madhu told me while serving food. "It is 9-30 PM. If this is early, what is late then?"

"Dear Madhu, there was a bidding of tender for Sai Industries today. I got delayed due to that .The good news is that we have got the tender".

Mister " Madhu stopped cutting onions and pointed the knife towards me," This may be good news for you but not for me. I would have been happy had you come with me to Neelu aunt's house”.

"I shall be happy when I give you the gift at 12-00 midnight “I uttered silently." So nice you have made Rajma rice today.

"People can learn how to change the topic from you." Madhu asked ,"Why are your shoes in the hall ?Why have you kept the laptop bag on the dining table"?I have told you thousand times to keep it inside the cabinet. The soul of Phulan Devi had probably entered into the body of Madhu today.

"I shall place them at the right place, Kali Mata”. I told Madhu with folded hands, winking at Slok. Please be quiet and stop my Narasamhar. Tomorrow is our fifth marriage anniversary and we are fighting meaninglessly".

"Exactly my point!" I am not interested to provoke because tomorrow is our fifth marriage anniversary, but you are least bothered. Because every day is a special day for you, .What is the specialty for tomorrow. Had you attended the party today you would have known the significance of these special days. Aunt’s daughter and son in law did a romantic Salsa. But to my husband everything looks histrionic.

"Dear , shall we talk something other than your aunt and her son in law?"I was getting bored now. Why should we drum beat our love in their style? Is it necessary for us to dance to show our love?"

"No, we have to express our love and make it knownto others. Do something to make me feel that I have some value in your life. So as to make others understand that you are not insipid or stale, as you pose yourself to be."

We looked at each other for a moment. I could not keep the secrecy of my gift any longer because there was no other way to end this subject. You wanted to know how important you are in my life. Please open the laptop bag and see for yourself. I brought the laptop bag and gave it to Madhu.

Madhu looked towards me and started opening the bag. After a while, she asked me as to what was for her to see. I find only a laptop, some papers and a diary inside .

"What do you mean? Please see carefully. "Saying this I snatched the bag from her hand and started searching myself. However, the gift made by me was not there .Suddenly, I remembered that I had placed it in my office drawer but forgot to bring it.

"What happened?" Madhu asked, seeing me silent.

In a desperate mood, I sat on the sofa. I blamed myself for my carelessness. Still I had to place the truth before Madhu.

"What should I say Madhu, I devoted the whole day making that gift .I thought of giving you a surprise at midnight. By mistake, I have left it in my office .It is inside the drawer of my desk".

"Oh! Do you want me to believe your words? Just now, you had stated that the whole day you spent on tender. Had I told the truth it would not have remained as a surprise".

"Probably you are telling a lie now", Madhu said.

"You exceed all limits, Madhu" , I shouted."Don't you feel ashamed to blame your only husband? If you do not believe, let me go to the office and fetch it".

"Stop filmi dialogues and start eating your food. Do you mean to say that your office will be open at 10 PM?"Madhu asked.

I looked at the watch. It was 10 PM. Tomorrow is Sunday. That means I have nothing to offer as gift to Madhu on our marriage anniversary day. My disappointment turned into frustration.

"You have your food. I am not hungry" I told Madhu in a sad mood.

"Why do you blame the food? You do the mistake and show your anger on food."

"Would you please stop your broadcast of Vividh Bharati", I said ."No sooner I came home I heard your taunts. I am unable to make out the reason for which you are angry .Is it for my coming late, or for leaving shoes in the hall, or for keeping the bag on the dining table or for not dancing samba with you in the that function?"

It is not samba, it is salsa. Try to know the correct name even if you do not know dancing. The problem with you is that you still consider yourself a bachelor. I do not like this, I do not want to go there and I do not want to eat this. Did you ever think what makes Madhu happy? Why did you marry me if you wanted to think only about yourself? Madhu left for her bedroom, saying this.

" That was my big mistake" I retorted. I was to eat alone when Slok came. We had an agreement that we would not enter into a big fight before Slok - only small arguments. I was very angry that time.Thinking that it might aggravate the situation I decided to leave home shutting the door loudly. I closed the door and came out of the house Just when I reached the street I remembered that I had left the key of the house, cell phone, purse, etc inside the house. For closing the door loudly, I felt that Madhu might not open the door even if I press the calling bell. Street dogs were barking seeing me on the street as though they got their lost friends. Probably they knew I had to spend the night with them for which they were consoling.

"What happened Raghav? Why are you standing in the middle of the street?" a neighbor on his walk asked.

"Nothing, I am counting stars. Keep walking, your belly is protruding." I replied bluntly. Neighbor made a strange face and went away. I too wanted not to create a scene on the street and left towards the town.

Albert Einstein had told rightly that sitting with a beautiful girl an hour looks like a minute. In addition, when you sit on a hot plate a second looks like an hour. Exactly the same feeling came to me. I wanted to give surprise gift to Madhu and get her praise .But now I am wandering in the street without any reason. As I walk, I get the picture of the whole day spent.

"Was Madhu right? Am I really so irresponsible and selfish? Had I spent a little time at the party of aunt's son in law's birthday what was the difficulty? Madhu gives me company even to see some worthless movies" I started doing some introspection.

"My memories recalled the days before the marriage with Madhu. How crazy was I to meet her and talk to her. Have I changed after the marriage?" I asked myself..

When our dream fructifies, we lose the value of the dream. We do not realize that what we have achieved are the dreams of many.

In introspection, I had walked quite a distance. When my anger came down, I could realize my mistakes. I turned back and returned home. I saw Madhu waiting in the courtyard anxiously.

Seeing me, she came running and thundered," Have you gone mad?" Without telling me where had you gone? I saw tears in her eyes.

"I came outside to call you. But how can you hear when you were in anger. Just like an elephant in musth you left .Do you know how sad we were and went for your search? Ask Slok where all we searched. He was repeatedly asking "When would Papa come?"I made him sleep." said Madhu.

I was speechless. How could I justify my foolishness? Bowing my head, I told Madhu ," Madhu I made a gift with great love for presenting it to you .I had given reasons for my love to you. I wanted to show it to you at this auspicious moment."

"You have not understood me till now.," said Madhu. I could sense that you were planning for some surprise gift for me from morning. When I told Slok to keep my surprise gift to you as a secret he told me that you were going to buy mobile phone .That news also reached me through Monika.

"Did you know everything? Then why did you not tell me?"I was worried"

Because I wanted to see, whether the person who made fun of me always understands my jokes. I had told Monika that you can never keep the surprise gift for me a secret even for half an hour. While staging a drama of my going to the bathroom I was simply laughing which you did not notice. Do you think that you only know how to play tricks? I thought that you may come to pacify me but you left the house instead.

I listened to the words of Madhu silently keeping my head down.

“Raghav I have noticed that you get upset on small issues. How could you feel that I would get angry for getting something physical? If we have not understood each other's problems and difficulties in these five years, we are not compatible .What is the meaning of such gifts? Sometimes I feel that I had married another Raghav”.

I have realised my mistakes Madhu. Believe me; I love you as much now as before our marriage.

"I know Buddhu" Madhu hugged me. Please understand one thing that you might have a number of reasons for loving me but for me there is only one reason that is “You are mine as you are"

Both of us embraced each other. There was no scope for any more argument.

It was 12 o'clock midnight.

Our fifth marriage anniversary had come.

THE END

Original Story -

https://storymirror.com/read/story/hindi/koxbjvfg/vo-paancvii-saalgirh-antim-bhaag

by Indar Ramchandan