Birthday Blues

Many years ago, a veterinarian friend of mine who was a casual visitor to our home used to remark that we were an ideal couple. When asked how , he would say- na ek doosre ke bina reh sakte hain naa ek doosre ke saath . And he was not wrong , as my wife and I ‘have’ a strange relationship- I wonder if I can use the word ‘ enjoy’ in this context. We have nothing in common except our two kids .

It is natural that we never ever wish each other even when the occasion demands.

The other day was her birthday, and early in the morning, my daughter on seeing her said “ Wah Wah Birthday Girl ! Not one to miss an opportunity to tease her, I said - Birthday Girl or Birthday Budhia. ? A stern look and a rebuff “ Apni shakal dekhi hai kabhi ?” was the natural and expected reaction from the angry lady.

Later when I was about to leave for office, she said , “Aaj meri ek hi maang hai “. I was a bit taken aback thinking that when she herself held the purse strings , what she might demand from a kadka husband like me. But it was reassuring to think that being one who went to purchase dresses would instead return with curtains and bed sheets , no big deal was underway. It transpired that all she asked was to arrange for her to visit Hanuman Temple , i.e. Sankatmochan , some fifteen kilometer from my residence. Some how I was able to fulfill this small wish of hers. .

In the evening , a tongue - in - cheek remark awaited me as when I went back from office , she offered me the Prasad saying “ Bhagwan, sadbuddhi de !