IF ONLY I HAD A WIFE

Swati got down from the auto, profusely  sweating. It was a very hot and humid day. Even by 4:30pm also it felt like a furnace. Carrying the heavy load of the monthly provisions she purchased, she neared the lift. "No power, madam!" Gopal, the watchman informed. "And the generator not working." he added.

She sighed. 'Oh, God. Now I have to carry these bags to the fifth floor! No way out!'

She lugged all the load up panting and huffing. By the time she opened the door she was totally exhausted and plonked on the sofa. The stll ceiling fan was mocking at her.

After a while she got up rather reluctantly reminded of all those household chores awaiting her.

'If only someone gave me a glass of cool water and a cup of piping hot coffee!' She thought wistfully. '..And make some tasty tidbits for me to munch! ...And tidy up the house! ...And...' She sighed. 'Who is there to oblige me?'

Slowly she got immersed in her work. By the time she stored all her purchases, cut the veggies for dinner, folded the dried clothes and tidied the house, it was time for Suresh to come home from office. Then slowly the fan started swinging. She felt like taking a break and stretching herself beneath the fan and enjoy.

Suresh slumped in the sofa. Loosening the shirt buttons, he declared, "I am totally exhausted." Then looking at her, he added sarcastically, "Why are you staring at me like a wooden statue? Will you be kind enough to get a glass of water for your poor husband? And turn that damn fan to full swing?"

She started and did as per his bidding.

Suresh looked at her frownig. "Where are you lost? What is wrong with you? Here I am, dead tired and famished! And there you are daydreaming! Had you not enough of that throughout the day? Why don't you cheer up and attend to me?"

She bit her tongue and went into the kitchen. After a while she came back with a plate of light snacks and two cups of steaming hot coffee. He sniggered. "Why don't you make something fresh and spicy instead of those from the Swagruha? What herculean tasks do you perform during the day?"

She remembered the pile of soiled dishes she cleaned after the breakfast as well as lunch. And the bucketful of dirty clothes she washed and dried. And the laundry of the day before which she ironed in the morning. "The moment I come home, you start sighing and sulking, as if you are bone tired!" He snatched the cup from her.

She sat by his side and enquired gently, "How was your day?"

"Oh, don't ask me. The damn AC in my cabin is not working. And there is heavy traffic on the way home. I had to drive the bike dead slow and halting. Horrible indeed!"

She thought of her bumpy auto ride in the sun and standstill lift and fan on her return from the market.

"And the heavy load of papers I had to carry!" He gestured to the briefcase.

'Carrying?' She wondered. 'Maybe from the cabin to the bike and in the lift to home.' Her two bags full of monthly groceries and the five flights of stairs flashed before her eyes.

"Oh, my legs!" He stretched his legs and relaxed. "I really envy you. Lazing and sleeping at home all the day, enjoying the books, TV, movies... what not! Need not toil like me!"

'Sleep? No time even to close my eyes for a couple of minutes!' Swati felt like retorting. but instead she calmly collected the plate and cups and dragged her unwilling feet to the kitchen. 'If only there is someone to vent my frustrations upon! ...And to take care of these soiled cups and plate!... And make a delicious dinner of my favourite dishes! ...And manage all other household work!... if only...'

She sighed. 'If only I too had a wife.....'