Togetherness

It was a weekend, so I was going through my old records and trying to find out my LIC policy due for maturing. Suddenly I came across my first salary slip properly filed in a file containing my personal record. Gross salary Rs.2725. I showed it to my sons. They were surprised and enquired how did you use to manage. They were compared with today's lifestyle and salary. I looked at my wife, who was giving a smile comparable to Monalisa. I could realise she was conveying that those days were better.

Hamara Bajaj was more comfortable than the luxurious vehicle. The evening family ride was a compulsory event. Even the feeling of the open air was cooler than the AC controlled temperature. The taste and ambience of the roadside eatery were better than the star hotels. The first rhyme sang by my son was more enjoyable. She has still maintained the first cotton saree I presented her. The travelling to home town in a sleeper class with the entire family was much better than the air travel. The tap water at the railway station was healthier than the bottled water. Besides the weekend every evening was meant for my family.

She used to greet me with a warm smile on my return from the office. Now her silence when I return at 9 pm speaks a lot. Forget about the evenings rather nights, even I am not able to spare the weekends for her. She no more insists on eating out or for some costly sarees or jewellery. She wants my time, just togetherness. Even eating the homemade tasty food together. She just wants to hear me, my voice is more soothing than that of Arijit Singh. A long drive, enjoying the first rain in the terrace, forty hours of railway journey instead of 4 hours of air travel.

Then what am I doing? Making all efforts to satisfy my ever unsatisfied clients, giving 12 productive hours to my office and just using my home only for lodging and boarding. I don't remember when the entire family had dinner and lunch together. I know I have no words to express my sorry to her. I have to live for her and myself. Nobody cares for you except for their interest. Whatever I am today is because of her support and sacrifice.

I am sorry. I promise you the rest of my life, each moment will be yours. We will live our life. Not a materialistic life, but full of qualitative time spend together. I love you and respect you.