The gift of time – isn’t it the best that you can give your
loved one?
I firmly believe with the advent of technology, we have
become so connected yet so disconnected. I happened to visit this one house,
inhabited by one of my so called good friend. What you will read is my account
of a few hours that I spent there.
My Friend (MF) – Hey long time girlie, how have you been?
Me
- Doing good buddy, work keeps me busy and above all happy.
MF - Work keeps you happy? I am sure very few would say so
Me – Yes, I am happy when I am working. Planning to get
involved in some social causes too. That’s about me. Procrastination has become
my habit. So until I embark on such an activity, it would be too early to speak
on that
MF – Good, if I am not mistaken, its teaching – which runs
in your veins and what you love doing
Me – So what’s up with you?
MF – Good. Work is hectic. No “self-time” at all. That
reminds me do you remember my cousin, Sheena, who settled in the US? She is
finally a Green Card holder. Doesn’t it sound good?
Me – Wow, nice. How are your parents?
MF – They should fine! Long time since I visited them
Me – How can you be so lackadaisical?
MF – Huh, another of your lectures – what did I do to be
lackkkkaaaaa???????
Me – You are unaware about your parents!!! Don’t they yearn
for your time? You know of your cousin, who is related to you in a distant manner,
her latest movements but you are oblivious to your parents’? Sounds whimsical
to me.
MF – Lady, you sound so much like my wife.
Me – True, ladies are made that way. They can see through
the emotions.
MF – My wife says I don’t spend time with her. She is a
housewife. So how will she know the tribulations of work place? You must make
her understand.
MF’s Wife – Hey, let me continue that conversation. Yes, I
am blessed with such a caring husband. He ensures my happiness always. Gets me
costly gifts, takes me out to expensive restaurants, things which are etched in
my heart forever. But, he fails to understand that the most precious gift that
he could give me is his time. He ensures my well-being always, we stay in touch
through the day, thanks to what’s App and it’s like. When he walks in after a
gruelling day, why can’t he can just sit beside me, feel my warmth talk to me
about his vicissitudes? I may not be able to give a comprehensive solution but
they say when you share your burden reduces….. What happens here? He walks in-
to watch what’s going around in the world. Sometimes I wish I was that sports
or news channel which he watches so lovingly. I am scared, my solitude will eat
me some day
Me – That does not sound good. This problem did not exist
with the yester year’s generation. They gave each other space and time. They
lived happier too. Cases of marital discord were less. My dear friend, all a
lady requires from her husband is his time. It is not encroaching into your
personal space. A good lad will always manage to strike good balance.
MF – Sports, NEWS, and Mobile – is that how you define me?
MF’s Wife – Precisely. It will be a prayer initially, then a
complaint and later when there is no heed paid, I too will move on. My hobbies,
my interests , my life.
Me_ This is some debate which happens in every household. We
know about our friends in the other part of the world but we are unaware about
our kin whom we see every day. We dedicate more than half a day at work but are
unable to give half an hour to our loved ones . There will be a dead end
someday. Technology increases life span – but what about the quality of our
lives?
I am sipping a cup of tea when I see my friend’s wife’s eyes
have swelled with tears. She has been a strong lady and we all know what the
effects of being strong for too long are. She was brittle inside. I have known
her much before she got hitched to my friend. Her only solace was her brother
who passed into immortality a few years ago. Her parents were aged and she had
no body to whom she could speak her heart. I have often felt my friend takes
advantage of this. She was brought up as a princess but has lived her life as a
warrior.
( In my thoughts – my dear girl- friend- here’s to many more
years of battle. You have to stay strong- you being the epicentre of the house.
Do not expect your better half to understand even an iota of your feelings)
I wave a bye to her. I do not want to meet the eyes of her
husband. I wasn’t angry but perplexed. I hear the bells at a temple nearby – I
pass a silent prayer and start my car. As I drive, the image of her becomes
smaller and smaller till it vanishes. Stay blessed my friend !!
