I knew it is going to be the same old story. My mother had something very important to say but in secret. The secret was again some goof up done by her daughter in law. This relation, as I understand till date, is one of the God – made – animosity and applicable to the entire world (India is not an aberration).
“At this age, hearing so many tantrums, how can one live….is this the life your father would have expected if he would have been alive?” My mother started speaking as soon as I entered the house after leaving my office.
I usually hear in silence and have off late stopped giving any opinion. In the night before sleep, my wife would also have some story against her and that also I used to hear in silence and sleep.
Office environment was energetic. There were people like Mr Babu George, who, unmarried at 45, would go on adventurous expeditions once in a year taking leave for 1 month. These types were actually a role model for us middle class slogging men/ women at office as their stories fanned our own fantasy of having a free time and being creative.
“He completed 160 km marathon after travelling to Udaipur from Bangalore on bike.” Sumanth, closest friend of George, informed us during lunch. After the lunch we went for a cigratte break where we used to do gossip on everything going on in office.
“You know, George was talking about committing suicide after he got that banging from his boss.” Murthy, who again counted among his close friend, informed us.
“He must be joking…how can such a macho personality talk like that…” I speculated.
“This is not the first time, he was talking this thing seriously. In the past too, I have heard him say this..”Sumanth added.
3rd wise man smoking among us (sarcasm intended) then made a very conclusive statement “It is very human…there are some things which one can take upto certain limit…in present case, his boss has been asking him to quit…George is just not wanted..”
“In that case, Nanda should have done this long back…he is temporary employee and has been asked to quit thousand times…still he is sticking. “ I said with little irritation.
“Anyone for that case…we all have so many troubles.” Murthy added.
“Babu has no relations to maintain. In fact he has no troubles that we know of. Still he is weak. Then should we say that physical fitness has nothing to do with mental fitness?” I asked for their opinion.
“May be….I think responsibilities makes us strong…I mean, in my case I know I cannot do anything against the situation still I have to keep trying to live and let my family live. And maybe that is why people like Nanda is also an example of why, he is still working here marring his ego.” Sumanth sounded so true.
In the evening at home when my mother again said the same dialogue, I had got a good opportunity of sermonizing and it went like this “these types of daily fight might be good as well. Just think mom, when father expired, for one year you were so weak. You stopped speaking and we were so worried. But now I see you are full of life. It is only because your mind became active solving family problems. Even your daughter in law in that case has grown mature and more responsible. I think no problems and so called contended life makes one dull and unhappy. God makes heroic stories only on those people who face problems. If you surrender then you are dead. Keep facing them and you are alive.”
happy life 