Revenge of a Housewife
Though Reema and Sujoy studied in the same college for four years they were never close to each other . There were no boyfriend / girlfriend type affairs nor any close friendship between them . They just recognized each other’s faces as alumni of the same college . After graduating Sujoy went after the State Public Service Commission and competed in the very first attempt .
On the other hand Reema did her postgraduation and she was interested in a teaching job. So she was planning to enroll in a PhD . But destiny didn’t permit it and she got married to Sujay before she could enroll in PhD . It was an arranged marriage . Both Reema and Sujoy were satisfied with this marriage and they seemed to be leading a happy family life . But there was a huge difference in the thoughts and attitudes of both of them . While Reema wanted to pursue a teaching job Sujoy didn’t like it . He said “ I am a class one gazetted officer . We have all the privileges and facilities we need in society . Hundreds of people salute me when I step out of my house . I don’t want my wife to work under anybody else ? “
Reema replied laughingly “ So you want me to work under you only .”
“ No . I didn’t mean that but surely I will like you to look after our kids and the household . I want you to be comfortably settled at home . “
Reema reluctantly agreed to Sujoy’s proposal . There was plenty of love and caring from Sujoy’s end . He added Reema’s name in all his accounts and immovable properties . But at the same time he was always dominating in every aspect of the household and family affairs . On many occasions she felt humiliated by his husband’s commanding attitude . Sometimes Sujoy forgot that he was hurting and letting her down in the presence of others also .
Within five years of marriage Reema was mother of two kids . The elder one was her son Sumeet and the younger one was her daughter Seema . Even the names of both the kids were picked up by Sujoy while she proposed different names for the kids . Sujoy wanted the names of kids beginning with letter S which matched with his name’s first letter . Though Reema suggested alternate names with letter S , he rejected them outright . Reema felt humiliated but she kept mum .
Reema became busy nurturing her kids . She was happy and satisfied with her kids. She was not unhappy with Sujoy but she was rather surprised at his changing moods besides being dominant and rude most of the time . He loved her but never missed any meagre opportunity to blame and humiliate Reema . He had never apologized for his behavior.
Though there was domestic help at home during day time Reema took personal care in upbringing of her kids besides supervising her in daily chores . Subsequently she asked her to only clean the house and kitchen utensils . She said to Sujoy “ I don’t like the food cooked by her . They aren’t hygienic for us .I will do all the cooking myself . Even I won’t allow her to drop or pick up our kids at the school bus stop. Sumeet was telling she used to stop at a Pan shop and smoke bidi or cigarettes . I have felt her smelling foul on many occasions . “
“ As you like but these days it’s not easy to find domestic help in cities .”
“ Okay , I can manage better . “
She personally cooked food for the family , did laundry for Sujoy and the kids . She used to drop her kids at the bus stop and pick them up on return . She was never late in serving timely breakfasts to her kids and husband . She was always on toes fulfilling the needs of the entire family while keeping her own needs in the last row. Still Sujoy thought she wasn’t up to the mark . She used to get upset by his behavior and leave home for a change and cooling down . She used to come back in a couple of hours .
Once Sumeet slipped in his school and had a bruise on his knees . When Sujoy came back home in the evening he found some bandages on Sumeet’s knees . He shouted at Reema and said “ This is the way you are upbringing our children. You don’t teach them how to behave in school . “
Sumeet interrupted and said “ Mummy has nothing to do with my fall . I just fell while playing during the game period . “
“ Shut up , you don’t know how irresponsible your mom is ? She is just sitting the whole day at home and doing nothing . “
“ I never saw Mummy sitting or wasting time at home . She is doing her best every time . “ said daughter Seema
“ You are too small . What do you know about housewives ? They have nothing to do . “
scolded Sujoy
Reema’s kids were growing and watching mummy’s helplessness . Both used to say “ Mummy why are you tolerating papa’s rudeness beyond limit ? There is a limit to everything . “
“ I want peace at home . I don’t want my kids to watch quarrelsome scenes at home . Both of you concentrate on your studies , I am okay . “
After a few years Sumeet had finished his studies and was going to join a job in another city . He was going with his papa .They had to go to the railway station to board a train . Sujoy started shouting “ Hurry up , we are getting late . Where are my socks ? Your mummy is useless , she never keeps things in the proper place . “
Sumeet said “ Mummy isn’t useless , she is very much useful for all of us . You are already wearing socks and blaming mummy uselessly .”
“ Okay, don’t argue . Get ready soon .”
After Sumeet left Reema felt bad as she missed her son and also missed his moral support when Sujoy behaved rudely. Now only Seema was there to support on such occasions . Seema was also completing her schooling next year . Seema had a couple of her close classmates . One of them was a boy . These friends were very frank . Besides study matters they used to gossip also and laugh loudly on humorous matters . Sujoy was not happy with this situation . One day he said to his wife “ What is this ? Why don’t you teach Seema manners? “
“ I don’t see anything wrong in her manners . All the friends openheartedly enjoy the company of close friends .”
“ I don’t want to hear such excuses . Better tell her to mend her ways else you will have to bear the blame if anything wrong happens .”
“ You are right , I have been bearing all the blames so far and will have to bear in future also . “ said Reema
“ Now you also have started arguing . Mend your ways also . “
Whenever Reema had hot discussions with Sujoy she felt humiliated and stopped talking to him. She expected him to apologize . But that didn’t happen and after two or three days she had to start talking with him and normalize the matter .
Seema was in her final year of graduation . Once she went to watch a movie with her friends, one of whom was a boy . Though this was with Seema’s approval when Sujoy came to know it he was too furious . He scolded both mother and daughter then turning to Reema he said “ This is not an example of good character . I think she is following your footsteps . Didn’t you go to the movies with boys in your college days? “
“ Enough , don’t raise fingers at my or Seema’s character . I know your character also . What you have been doing these days with your new young secretary is no secret . “
Sujoy continued bombarding bitter words for Reema and in the end said “ Mind it , you are a housewife and I am the master of this house. Better keep your mouth shut . “
Later in the day Reema packed her personal clothes , ornaments etc. and silently left the house . When Sujoy and Seema came in the evening they found the house locked . They waited for a couple of hours for Reema’s return . When she didn’t come back Seema said to Sujoy “ I am worried about Mummy . She was too sad . Her phone is also switched off “
“ Don’t worry . She usually leaves home when angry but returns in a couple of hours . She must be coming soon . “
Both Sujoy and Seema enquired about Reema from her contacts but she could not be traced.
Seema said to her dad “ All this mess is because of you papa , don’t you realize it ? “
“ Yes , I do realize . At least now . I shouldn’t have treated your mom like this . I will try to fix it . “ said Sujoy
But how can you fix it until we find her? “
“ She might be fed up with me but she will definitely contact her children. If she does so , tell me immediately .”
On the other hand , Reema moved to the flat in a nearby city gifted by her late father. She had retained one room with an attached bath and a small kitchen area for herself and had rented the rest of the flat . She went to her flat and after dumping her luggage went to the bank . She rang up her daughter in the night . Seema said “ Where are you mummy? When are you coming back ? We are worried for you . “
“ Listen to me carefully . I am quite well and don’t worry for me . I will switch off after talking to you . “
“ But mummy , why did you leave us .At least you shouldn’t have left me . “
“ I haven’t left you but I am tired of your papa’s behavior for more than two decades . Now let him realize the fact . As for you , I know your choice . I have talked to the parents of your boyfriend . They are waiting for you as their daughter in law. They were waiting for your graduation . If you like you can come and live with me till your marriage. “
But how would you live there without any income ? “ asked Seema
“ I had been to the bank where I have joint accounts with your papa . I had a power of attorney also . I withdrew one fourth of the deposits leaving aside shares of you , Sumeet and your papa . So money isn’t an issue . Now I am going to hang up and switch off the phone . You need not call me . I will call you . You can call only when I text you to talk .”
“ But mummy , how long can you pull on like this ? “
“ I can pull on till the rest of my life . “
“ No mummy , we won’t like it . I am sure you won’t like to see all of us sad . I think papa is also regretful now about his behavior towards you . “
“ Let him realize , what can I do ? “
“ Mummy you should rethink , at least about me and Sumeet Bhai . “
Though both Seema and Sumeet knew Reema's whereabouts , it was kept secret from Sujoy . This continued for a couple of months . During this period Sujoy remained tense and his blood pressure used to shoot up considerably . Even after taking pills he could hardly sleep . It was very hard for him to absorb wife’s absence .
He said to both his children “ Reema will not listen to me. She has blocked my number .
After a few days, he asked his children “ why can’t you both convince your mom to return ? “
“ I can’t call her . Her phone is always switched off . She can only talk to me when she wants to talk .”
“ Okay , next time when she calls , tell me .” said Sujoy
Seema texted her mummy to talk .
When Reema called, Seema handed over the phone to her papa “ Reema , it’s me . Please don’t hang up . Listen to me . It's enough now . I might have been rude to you but I want to be with you . I am telling this from the core of my heart . I can’t live without me . You can ask our children how regretful I am and how sorry I feel for you these days . “
His voice was trembling but he continued saying “ I am sorry again and again . If your revenge is over please come sooner . Even if you are angry with me and even if you don’t want to talk to me , it’s okay . Your presence in our home is enough for me . “
He couldn’t speak anymore . He handed over the phone to daughter and said “ Better you talk further .”
In the meantime Sumeet also stepped in . Seema put the phone on video chat and said “ Papa and all can justify your anger and displeasure . Just see how down is papa’s health due to your absence. “
Seema kept mum for quite some time . Then Seema said “ What should we think of your absence . Normally silence is a sign of acceptance . Is it not ? “
“ Yes . “ said Reema with a feeble smile and hung up.
xxxxxxx
This story is a work of fiction .
