Revati was sitting with her husband, Ravi at a fine dining restaurant.
"You had a bad day at work?" Ravi asked Revati looking at her gulping down her third glass of wine.
"Nope. Work at the hospital is never bad," Revati answered.
"Then what is troubling you?" asked Ravi.
"Troubling? Who said something is troubling me?" retaliated Revati.
Ravi kept quiet and continued eating.
"I was driving home today and I got stuck. But in a traffic jam, it's funny how you can see so much more than the obvious. It's an enlightenment portal," said Revati.
Ravi fakingly laughed.
"I saw this artist selling his paintings on the road. He looked poor, but there was this glow on his face," said Revati.
The waiter came and asked if they required anything. Revati wanted another drink, but Ravi didn't let her order any, choosing a soft drink for her instead.
She pointed a finger at Ravi and said, "I used to paint too. You know that don't you?"
"That was one of the first things you showed me when I came to your house for the proposal," said Ravi.
"And I gave it all up. You know why?"
"I know why".
"No, it's not because I got married to you. It's because of my parents. I could have been a painter, but..."
"Darling, you have had too much to drink. It's time we head home. Our dinner is over, what else do you want?"
"Well, I will have some ice-cream, chocolate and if that's not there, then Tiramisu," she said fumbling.
The waiter got the desserts.
"Like I was saying, my parents loved me immensely, spoilt me to the core, but I wish they had given me ambition instead".
"Honey," said Ravi.
"No, let me speak today. I can tell you anything! My mom dedicated her full life to my father. And that's what she taught me as well. But your parents brought you up differently, didn't they?" said Revati.
"Yes, they did".
"And here you are a top software developer with people ready to pay you as much as you want. Now that's because of your hunger, that is indirectly caused by your ambition".
"Revati," said Ravi.
"No Ravi, I gave up everything, everything. It was you who made me take that cashiers job. I started small, but today I am the head cashier at the hospital. You saw something in me," confessed Revati starting to cry.
"Oh darling. Let's go, it's too late. Here," said Ravi handing a tissue to her.
Revati wiped her tears, while Ravi paid the bill.
When they were heading towards the car, Ravi said, "I think you should start painting again".
I liked the ending, really... :-)
ReplyDeleteSo many women in this country are forced to sacrifice their ambition and, needless to say, most of the husbands are unlike Ravi...
I wish there were more husbands like Ravi too, Maniparna :)
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