The Marital Conditions - Part 8

Tia and Suhail felt ashamed. When they met, love struck them at first sight. They would find ways to meet each other. When they got committed, they wanted to be together. Now when they were together, they wanted to break up. Love is strange in this fast moving era. We give up on everything so easily.

We let small issues, tiny stuffs and third persons rule our lives while we don't look for solutions to mend the cracks. Tia and Suhail let their egos defeat their love. They became their own enemy in their love story. They weren't able to understand what Mikha was saying. They were still looking out for faults in each other.

"But.. I ...you didn't understand what I said.", Tia said, searching for words to explain her concern. " Please Tia! Everyone goes through initial hitches in marriage. Instead of complaining and blaming, why don't you guys sit together and sort it out ? It's easy. What's bothering you- that you are burdened with work at office and home and you don't get sufficient attention from Suhail?", Mikha said. 

"I am giving her time and affection. But even I have certain expectation...", Suhail complained. "Can we stop this?! I mean I do understand your frustration, Suhail. But Tia isn't confined to doing house work like me. She has job like you too. Why don't you understand and help each other? Marriage is not only about one doing specific task. It is about giving time and helping each other. Now!! I think if we simply stand here and discuss, we will waste our time and maybe you guys might end up distancing from each other.", Mikha said. 

"From today, you must promise me that you will do what I say. Give me a month, I will sort your marriage. If I advise you more, you will simply listen and follow your own heart.", Mikha continued while everyone listened and agreed. 

The weekend arrived. Mikha's mission to patch Suhail and Tia up started. She had asked Tia and Suhail to prepare dinner plan for Manav and her. They arrived at Tia's place on time. Unfortunately they stood in front of their door, listening to the newly wed's fight. Mikha was ashamed while Manav gave her 'see, I told you' look.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions- Part 7

There was complete silence during the lunch. No words were spoken only their minds spoke. "What went wrong? How do I make them understand that they are spoiling their own lives?", Mikha wondered. Tia found it difficult to munch on her favorite dish. She didn't have appetite to eat it.  When your heart is filled with angst and sorrow, food however tasty it is, you lose the appetite.

Suhail looked down at his plate during the whole lunch time. Manav knew that Suhail wasn't capable of handling Tia. She was high maintenance girl. She needed someone who could maintain same lifestyle she was living. He knew he would witness this scene sometime soon but no one paid any heed to anything he said.

When lunch was done, everyone settled in the couch, staring at each other. They were waiting for someone to start. " I can't stay with him any longer. I can't fight anymore.", Tia broke the silence. "What!You are saying this. You are the one who starts the fight. I should be saying this - I can't stay with you any longer. I can't fight anymore.", Suhail argued.

"No! You are the one who comes home barking at me, on the small matters. You have forgotten that even I work. You don't even help. You only complain.", Tia complained. "Ha! Who is saying that? What am I asking you to do ? Just keep food ready before I come and at least clean the house. I am not asking you big things.", Suhail argued back. Manav was enjoying but Mikha couldn't take it any longer.

"Stop it! Stop it, you two! You both are fighting like kids. Where is that love? Where is that promise you made before getting married? What happened to those conditions? Did you forget them?", Mikha asked. Suhail and Tia stayed quiet. How can they forget those conditions? They knew those conditions by heart.

"Do you guys think marriage is a play? When you are bored, you can get away easily. What about those memories you shared? What about those promised you made during the wedding? All forgotten? Tia, how many times you called me and complained about these tiny issues? I gave you the answer! How many times I reminded you about those conditions? Tia, don't you see, your husband left his family for you! Can't you acknowledge him at least with good food and keep the house clean? Suhail, why don't you share her burden? Even she works like you at office. She needs your help. Why can't small issues like this be sorted calmly?", Mikha said.

(To be continued)

The marital Conditions - Part 6

Patience is negative in today's fast paced world. We need everything quickly and want to reach maximum distance at less time. Time is not racing. It is we who have cut short the time. We are involved in so many tasks in less time. In this busy world, Tia and Suhail had no time for themselves to even review what was going. They blamed each other for what was going wrong.

Both of them found reasons ( some apparent, some real and some silly) to fight. Fighting was their new pass time. Tia wasn't aware that she enjoyed fighting more than love. But she didn't understand how bad it was affecting each other. They weren't able to balance their work life with home. Suhail hated coming home to face her tantrums.

Their fights entertained their neighbour. Instead of gluing towards their television, they were more interested in their fights. Who knew the once called the 'made for each other' couple would turn out to be the fighting couple one day! Mikha and Manav learned about it. She was obviously not happy with it.

Manav always taunted Mikha about her mistake of accepting Suhail. He always knew Suhail was not right for her. But Mikha never listened to him. Now sisters were facing the consequences of not listening to him.

Mikha invited them for lunch to discuss the issues. On their arrival, Mikha could feel that the love she felt between them was lost. Their physical appearance was completely changed. Tia looked frail in her white summer dress. Her hair was unkempt and she wore no make up. She loved to dress up. What happened to her? On the other hand, Suhail looked dull. He sported unshaven look. There was stress lines and dark circles under his eyes. He looked older than his real age.

Mikha wondered , " Is this what our new generation thought about marriage? How can such beautiful institution change people and their love for each other?".


(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions- Part 5

A month hadn't even passed. Small cracks began to appear. Suhail was quick to notice them and mend those cracks. He also tried to maintain the same excitement they shared during pre-martial times. It wasn't easy. Tia had issues. She wasn't used to many people in the house. She had issues about everything that was happening in her new house.

The major issue was the background gap between two families. She was solely raised by her sister after her parents died when she was very young. She was always protected from sympathizers, back bitters and nasty people. However her new house was filled with such people. There was no one to save her except herself from these guys. Anyone who came home would look at her with pity eyes and feel sorry for her dead parents. She didn't enjoy such attention.

She wasn't used to kitchen chores. Her mother in law was shocked when Tia said she didn't know how to prepare tea. However her mother in law taught her though she ridiculed her for not knowing how to cook. Tia remembered days when her sister would prepare her favorite dishes without complaining when she was very tired. 

As soon as she came home from work, her mother in law expected her to finish other household chores. She never had single minute to even rest her tired soul to start afresh. Unfortunately delicate Tia was suppressed by these frustration. She did complain to Suhail. Suhail supported her and also explained it to her parents. Unfortunately nothing worked and soon he decided to move out for the best interest of his family.

Everything was fine for three month. He didn't buzz her for not to serving tea or food on time. He also didn't complain when the house seemed messy when he arrived home. He understood that it was new house and it would take time for Tia to rearrange. But everything has an expiry date including Suhail's patience. 

One day he couldn't hold his patience any longer. His day at work didn't go fine. The messy house and no dinner at home spiked his anger. He scolded her,"Why can't you at least keep things properly at home and cook food? I have moved out of house for you when you failed to adjust. You can at least manage house for me." She was furious at his comment and didn't stop to pour her heart out,"I also work at office like you. I get tired. If you really want me to manage the house, why can't you help me? Why can't you share bit of responsibility with me?" The fight started like this and never got over.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 4

Manav sulked. He thought, "What kind of conditions are these? We could have rejected Suhail easily saying he is not fit for Tia. Why did she had to lay these silly conditions? Obviously every boy agree with these conditions." Before he could raise his voice, Mikha spoke, "Thanks Manav! This is the most special gift you have given to me. You gave me the right to accept Suhail for Tia."

Manav was furious... furious at himself for letting him agree Mikha's offer. He didn't know that Mikha would ask this for her wish. He had promised her during the last birthday that he would grant any wish she asked for. He thought she would use her wish wisely. He knew his wife was gentle. She never asked for any gifts even during her birthday. He should have known that she would ask this. He should have been very careful while granting the wish.

Tia hugged her sister and brother in law. She was delighted. She was on top of the sky. She was happy to be part of Suhail's life. Suhail was still shocked. He didn't move. He thought this was a dream. A dream he had always wished would come true. He was going to marry his love and live happily ever after.

The marriage preparation started. Both the bride and groom's family gathered for preparation. The dates were set. They had only one month for the 'D' day. Tia and Mikha would spend the day for shopping. Their list never ended. Suhail would be busy with the family events. The relatives were arriving. The house was getting filled with long lost as well as closed ones. There was chaos as well as happiness. Suhail and Tia found little time for each other.

The month passed away quickly. Invitations were sent to all guests. Manav had restricted Mikha and Tia to send the invitations to only the chosen ones. But Mikha couldn't find the names whom she could drop out of wedding. She had bought gifts for all her relatives ( good as well as backbitting ones). Tia's never ending shopping never ended. She shopped clothes, perfumes and jewelry when she had bought sufficient. Sufficient wasn't enough Tia. She wanted to look good during every function.

The 'D' day arrived. The wedding happened. Tia looked gorgeous in pink lehenga and Suhail looked ravishing in white suit. Both glowed with happiness. The love beamed through their eyes while they took their vows to never be apart and love each other forever.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions - Part 3

Suhail never expected Mikha would do this. This new avatar of hers was shocking. If it was from Manav, he wouldn't have been surprised. Marriage conditions!! What was this now? After buttering her, doing almost every chores in the house like unpaid worker and taking her out, she came up with this. Why? Didn't she trust him? Didn't she consider him to be worthy enough for her sister Tia? Tia seemed as surprised as Mikha. She too didn't expect this from Suhail.

" What? What are you saying, Mikha?", Manav asked angrily. He found his wife's conditions foolish. "I didn't even start! I only said if Suhail and Tia agrees that they can adhere to these conditions, I am happy to get them married. Marriage is not a joke. You are young and totally in love. You will understand true self of each other once you are married. There will be ups and downs. Are you capable enough to face them together when your relationship is under difficult times", she said.

"But you never spoke about these conditions to me when we were getting married?", Manav asked and quickly added, " I am not supporting Suhail with my statement. I find your conditions stupid." Suhail smirked at his comment. "What a bastard?", Suhail thought while looking at Mikha with begging eyes.

"Please don't do this, Dee.", Tia begged in distraught. She almost cried when Mikha placed her hand on Tia and said, " Why are you guys overreacting? These conditions are nothing serious. If your love is strong, you can bear them. Manav, I never mentioned these conditions to you because I know what marriage to you contained for me. I was sure I would have bit of sacrifices as well as struggles. Tia is naive. She is fickle minded. Today she might want this . Tomorrow she might not want that. She is not used to sacrifices and struggles. She isn't aware that marriage is beyond celebrations. It is a responsibility. She got all the good things in life. She never had to struggle in life. She has tantrums when her wish isn't fulfilled. I am sure Suhail can manage that now. But he can't meet all of her demands of monetary value and socially." Manav smiled when Mikha mentioned about Suhail's disadvantage. He knew he couldn't satisfy Tia.

Tia looked at her with disbelief. She still didn't understand why her sister didn't consider as grown up. She didn't argue. She listened when Mikha listed down her conditions. Suhail listened calmly. He didn't have any other choice. Mikha put down her conditions:


a) Shower attention

b) Appreciate. Criticism kills the romance

c) Accept. Accept. Accept everything.

d) Love even if you hate

e) Spend time. Time is precious.

f) Create memories. Sweet ones more. You need them more

g) Go on dates. Enjoy. Travel places. Go for exotic holidays.

Suhail and Tia smiled. These conditions seemed simple. They had followed most of these conditions since the time they were  in relationship with Tia. He treated Tia like a queen. He promised to keep her happy. They looked at each other and agreed.

(To be continued)

The Marital Conditions- Part 2

Suhail whispered, "How do I convince him?". But his whisper sounded loud enough for everyone to hear. Tia giggled secretly. "Did you say something?",Manav asked firmly though he was aware of what Suhail had said. He smiled mockingly , knowing that it was difficult for Suhail type of guys to impress him. According to him, Suhail didn't have the charm or aura that he carried. But that was Manav. He never found any guy superior than himself.

Suhail nodded 'No' nervously. He scolded himself for being too nervous. He did love Tia. But love wasn't enough to impress the world. He had to show everyone especially Tia's sister and brother in law that he could provide the same love and care that her family bestowed upon her for years.

It was piece of cake for him to convince his parents. But to impress her family, it was like walking on fire. He had taken several months buttering her sister in order to have one meeting where he could convince them to accept him. It wasn't an easy job. First few days had gone in waste. He had thought of picking and dropping Tia would at least make her sister let him inside the house. Unfortunately Mikha would greet him outside without a smile or inviting him inside the house.

Tia also tried to get him inside the house in pretext of offering him a glass of water. But this idea also failed. Mikha had admonished her and asked her to tell him to get his own water bottle. After few days of hard work of impressing her sister by buying groceries for her on their way home or buying sweets  or bringing in takeaways made her change her mind. One fine day she invited him for a lunch.Thus this led him to get into her good books.

Days passed by and Suhail found a day perfect to ask Mikha indirectly for Tia's hand. Mikha understood but she pretended as if nothing happened. She let him persuade more. She was enjoying the attention. Later one night, Tia asked her directly. "I know you guys want me to accept Suhail's proposal. But I am not ultimate decision maker on this. Your brother in law also has a say in it.", Mikha said.

After coaxing, Suhail was siting in front of them, thinking about how to convince them. However what was going to happen next, he had no clue. After buttering, coaxing and doing all odd jobs, he didn't expect Mikha would do this.

(To be continued)