Lesson 7 – Special Effects

Bob was flirting with the girls even today when we went to the market. How can I love him just because he is my husband. No, I don’t care about him anymore. I hit the pillow to wear out my fury even as I thought about his behavior. Then I had a quick shower and went into the kitchen. Bob had to leave soon and he always liked to carry a packed lunch. I hastened up to prepare his favourite ghee rice, taking care to churn out the omelet just as he liked it. Mom stood out in the patio watching me. She had come in as I had got her worried with my laments over the phone. “You must love him a lot to take all these efforts,” she said.

“Love him? Not anymore, mom. It’s been too much. You don’t know anything. All he does makes me want to hate him more. I am coming over to stay with you. I cant handle this any longer,” I said as I packed Bob’s lunch, neatly wrapped in aluminum foil.

Bob was in the shower and I quickly ironed his clothes, leaving them on the cot ready to wear. My nostril caught the fragrance of his aftershave, a lemon tint it was. No, I no longer cared. His shirt lying on the hangar by the door brushed my face. No, I wasn’t affected. I had decided to leave him.

Mom was watching me all this while. She had something like a 9smirk on her face as she walked up to me and said, “Well, if you insist, I agree. You are my child. You’re always welcome in our home. But I suggest you don’t take this up in haste. Come with me, stay away from him for a while. Take a break. Then we shall see where this goes.”