Uneven Paths

We meet at an early age during teenage years. It was summer time and a rainy day. The weather was so lovely. My cousin came running and said ' today a friend of mine is coming, he is very dear to me' . I said ' it's ok,What a big deal'. He replied ' Nothing big but I am feeling so happy '.

After an hour the door bell rang and my cousin rushed to open the door. " oh! How are you dear. Your phone call was a surprise to me. I am feeling so happy. You have changed a lot". Hearing the voices i came to see with whom he was talking. Then he introduced me to him. This is my friend. It was a meeting after 10 long years. We shook hands and said 'hollow ' to each other and then i asked them to enjoy their talk. I served them coffee and snacks and left the room.

After 2 months i again met my cousin's friend in a shopping mall. I was there with my mother. He came forward and said" Do you recognize me? I am your cousin's friend. We met at your residence. " i then could recognize him and introduced to my mother. We enjoyed a cup of tea together and bid goodbye.

Few years later we met again at my cousin wedding ceremony.

That was the day we talked for hours for the first time. He made me feel so comfortable. I really enjoyed his company. Simple and not arrogant. For few days he frequently visited my home but we never met. I was busy with my studies. After 2years my cousin came with a proposal that his friend was interested for marriage. But I was busy to work on my career first and then think of marriage. It was Ok with him . After an year I got a job in my home town. I was very happy. My parents then said 'are you ready for marriage now' . I said ' yes' and we got married within a month. Getting him was a blessing to me. He was so understanding. But I was exhausted to maintain both my work and family life. I had to do all my household course and go for job. It was really hectic.

I complained to my parents that I was overburdened with responsibilities . in mu in - laws place relatives were very frequent and every month I had to take 2 to 4 days holidays to entertain my guest. I was feeling disgusted when my boss and colleagues said why your in laws cant do the extra cooking part for every month. My husband did not say anything. After two years of married life I said to my husband  " I need a break. I am too tired. I want to go to my mother's place for few days. ". He allowed me to go. i took leave for a month due to health issues and feeling tied up. I wanted to be independent. I talked about this to my parents how life has become suffocated. Can go out at my will. i was let in my in laws house as a care taker. No personal life. No friends. Life was so boring. I was mentally sick. No Hope's. No enthusiasm about living the life. I consulted a friend of mine who was a doctor. She advised me you talk to your husband and go for a outing soon. You seem so exhausted. But listening this my husband said no. No way. No time. Too much of work pressure.  Then I decided I will be going out with my parents for two weeks. I informed my husband ad my in laws. They were not happy but I was adamant to go to a nearby hill station.

Reaching the place I was feeling relaxed. We stayed there for two weeks and I got my childhood days back. I enjoyed the mountains,lakes and the lovely food. The green mountains with wild flowers was so mesmerizing. I wanted to stay there all throughout my life. Good time flies by soon. We had to return but I was not eager to go to my in-laws house. The people were se indifferent. But keeping apart I saw a change in my husbands attitude.  He kept a maid at home for cooking purpose. Then after few days he came to take me without informing me beforehand. First his sight made me angry. I enquired " Why are you here without any phone call. " He said " why I need to inform before comto my in- laws house. I am free to come. " My mother came running and said " Yes he is right why he need permission to come to his own home?" I then said " Why then I have to take permission from my in-laws to visit my parents. That is not my home. i am a stranger there. " Hearing this my husband realized why I was angry with him and talked roughly. " He then asked sorry and assured me and my parents She has a free will to live. My husband admitted infront of my parents that I was very responsible and was trying to do my duties at home and at the work place with sincerity and dedication. His parents should understand that they should respect daughter- in- laws desires and wishes and give respect to her views as they treat their own daughter.  

I was shocked to see this transformation in my husband only after few months of separation. My parents left us alone. And we talked for hours after a long time. He said he missed me madly and was feeling lonely.

I just made him promise that he will not take away my freedom as I always encourage him to go for his friends party and get to gather. We should inform before hand our plans and act accordingly.  

That very day I returned to my in- laws place. People were more friendly. My father's sent some sweets and snacks. After returning I made some tea and we all enjoyed it. I was feeling better. My mother in law also admitted that she missed me. I was feeling happy.  She also 8nsisted to cook the dinner but I said I will be doing the cooking and asked her to help me in serving the meal. We all were very very happy.  The long cherished dream was coming true. We both were back together and feeling better . I told all about my feelings during separation and he listened for hours. It was 1 am and we both had duty the next day. So we slept. My parents were eagerly waiting for my phone callwh8ch I forgot to do. So at 1am I rang my mom and said everything was well. She felt relaxed and bid good night. Today we completed 30years of our marriage and we are really very happy with our three Don's and one daughter . Life passed through uneven paths some unexpected and expected realizations. God is really great.

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