Episode 11
Tears welled from her eyes; but she smiled and said, "Thanks a lot. I always loved and longed to stay with her"
I said, "It's my responsibility and handed over another cover to her saying, "This is for my beautiful wife".
She opened it and looking at the air tickets, and the broche from the tour operator for 10-day tour package she exclaimed, "Are we going to Mauritius?"
I said, "Yes, for honeymoon"
She asked, "Are we leaving tomorrow?"
I said, "Yes, pack your things and be ready. The flight is at 9.30 PM"
She said, "Hmmm...Okay"
I took out the last one and gave it to her saying, "This is a small wedding gift for my dear friend Nethra. Happy married life"
She smiled and took it from me and opened it. It was a cute white teddy carrying a red velvet heart. She was nervous and restless and having so many things on hand and mind, the teddy slipped from her hand and fell on the floor just like she dropped Cuckoo. Now the recorded voice screamed, "DARLING, I LOVE YOU". With widened eyes, she picked it and hugged it and looked at me with fright.
Smiling I said, "Hmmm Okay, good night, I'm gonna watch cricket. Take rest. Good night. Sweet dreams" saying this I went near the door and before I could leave I said, "I wish I was that teddy" and left to the hall switching on the TV. Slowly I slept off as I was tired too. My Mom woke me up in the morning with bed coffee and she said, "Good morning, hope you slept well. (Smiling she said)I appreciate your patience. What time is your flight?"
I said, "9. 30 pm"
She said, "Okay, pack your things and organize your trip" saying this she went to wake up Nethra.
We started off and reached Mauritius in the morning; occupied the room booked for us. Since it was booked for the honeymoon the room was adorned with aromatic flowers. The look and feel of the room was extraordinary. We called our family and informed them about our safe arrival, the hotel location, room number and contact information.
We had breakfast and started off for sightseeing. Mauritius is one of the most spectacular islands in the world. The beaches of Mauritius are some of the best I ever came across. White sands and blue waters make a striking contrast that was a treat for the eyes. The climate was good and we had a nice time.
Nethra was enjoying the beauty of nature and as usual, I loved her company. The day went on good with fun and joy. As we were sitting in the restaurant for dinner, I asked her, "Can I take a drink?"
Shocking she looked at me and asked, "Alcohol... Liquor.... do you take liquor?"
I said, "Yes I do, occasionally"
She said, "Your wish"
I said, "Sweetheart, to do as per my wish I need not ask you. You either say yes or no because you're gonna stay with me. You should be comfortable and I don't prefer doing something that troubles you. You're my wife and I should discuss everything with you"
She said, "No, no drinking"
I said, "Okay, thank you" ordered food and as we were waiting for the food she said, "You're not like my dad"
I asked, "Why do you compare me with your dad?"
She said, "He is the first man in my life. So I thought all men will be like him. He doesn't discuss anything with my mom and similarly, my mom gives him back the same. They take their own decisions on everything and it was Mithra and me who struggled between them"
I said, "A husband and wife should be best friends to each other. There is nothing like ruling or leading the other it's just sharing life and heading together. My parents discuss every small thing right from the purchase of home appliances, investments, our education and everything. You know the next day's menu is always discussed during dinner and mom made it a practice to have dinner together"
The waiter served the dinner and after that, I continued, "If dad missed a dinner that's it, his day is ruined. She'll not talk to him. He'll walk after her and beg her pardon. She will not accept it immediately, she'll hold on for some time till Adithi and I support him. Then she warns him and it's over. It will be fun watching these small plays at home and we learned to love and forgiveness from them. At the right age, they involved Adithi and me in the discussion and sought our views and opinions, if our decisions were right and wise they acknowledged it and accepted it. It included our marriage too"
She said, "Yeah, I know it's fun to be in your home"
I said, "Bricks and walls make a house and it's the woman, the mother who makes it a home. My love, will you make my house a home?"
She said, "I'll try, I might fail a few times but I'll learn it from your mother. I have a request for you"
I asked, "What is it?"
She said, "I will try to change myself and live up to your expectations. Please don't leave me for any reason, I hate being alone"
I said, "I love you the way you are. You don't have to change anything for me. You are just perfect and I want you to be yourself always"
She said, "But you are changing my character. I don't talk much, but now I feel like saying all the untold that I had shut in my heart"
I said, "I'm happy to know that you are feeling at ease and comfortable with me. You can talk and do whatever you wanted to do with me okay. I love you and all you do"
She asked, "You love me so much? I don't know if I'm worth your love."
I said, "Don't speak such philosophical words" and we left the room.
I switched on the TV and sat on the couch fiddled the remote searching for a good channel to watch while she was having a wash. I suddenly remembered about that and I took it from my bag and sat on the sofa again. She joined me on the couch to watch TV.
I asked, "How was your day today?"
She said, "It was great; Mauritius is awesome"
I said, "Yeah, I loved it" and gave her the pack saying this is my honeymoon gift for you.
She asked, "Does anybody give gifts for the honeymoon?"
I asked, "Why not? Gifts are given to express love and that's what I did. I thought this will be the right time to give this gift that's why I didn't give it yesterday"
Smiling at my response she opened the pack, her face turned red and said, "Oh my god"
TBC