Navigating our way through marriage
Our native village is 70 km from Ludhiana, where my wife and I worked as university professors. After our marriage 36 years ago, we used to travel to our village by bus. Subsequently, we bought a scooter before upgrading the mode of transport to a car some two-and-a-half decades ago.
As you know, wives are never short on advice in matters personal, official and unofficial; it is simply a matter of opportunity. While travelling by bus, my wife would get limited opportunity because of the crowd and at times I would pretend to doze off. On the scooter, the noise of the engine and horns of vehicles passing by made it inconvenient for her to speak her mind.
But once I occupied the driver’s seat in the car, it provided my wife the best possible opportunity to share her views on the way. After making a phone call to my parents announcing our departure from Ludhiana, her preliminary conversation would be to make me feel obliged that she was accompanying me to her in-laws’. Then, she would start with the main course. One by one, all relatives, from her in-laws side would be discussed; who said what, when and how; was it appropriate or inappropriate.
I would listen quietly as my parents and relatives received appreciation and criticism. I adhered to the motto, listening is the best policy. Someone has rightly said, “People are mistaken that wives are pleased receiving gifts; you can please them without spending a penny if you are a good listener.”
My wife is probably the best speed governor. If somehow, I race the car to more than 90km/ hour; she raises a voice of caution and says, “Don’t hurry, your village will remain where it is.” After meeting, talking and eating at our village home, we would call it a day but not before packing our share of maize flour, dal, rice and jaggery for our home in Ludhiana. My mother would never forget to hand over the supplies to my wife.
Driving back to Ludhiana, I would find her comparatively cool and calm, probably impacted by the way she was greeted and treated at her in-laws’ home. She would occasionally catch a nap. I would drive more cautiously at that time. On my announcing that we’ve entered Ludhiana city, she would give the final instruction, “Let’s stop by at my parents’ home.”
Now that my wife is abroad, I have to drive alone. I miss her company for all the cautions, comments and sweet nothings to which I have got addicted over the years. No ghazals or songs make my journey enjoyable. Sometimes, I also feel like I lack driving confidence. I wish and pray that my companion will always be by my side when I’m at the wheels. Long live my better half!
PEOPLE ARE MISTAKEN THAT WIVES ARE PLEASED WITH GIFTS; YOU CAN MAKE THEM HAPPY WITHOUT SPENDING ANYTHING, JUST BE A GOOD LISTENER