INTIMACY CLINIC - The Conversations we AVOID

WEEK TWO: Sunday - Part 01

Everyone was seated. They looked more relaxed compared to the last three sessions. As if they are accustomed to the environment of Charlie's clinic. There was freshness on every face.

Charlie turned to Meet, "Yesterday, you were about to leave when you thought I was having sex with Veena while being married. Why?"

"I said sorry for that," Meet said nervously.

"That is not what I want to know. I want to know why were you leaving?"

"Because it is wrong." She said, putting weight in her voice.

"Why is it wrong?"

"Because. . ." Meet didn't understand what to say to that. She managed to put words to her thoughts, "Because it is wrong. Marriage is a sacred relationship. You are not supposed to spoil the purity of marriage by not being faithful to your partner."

"I agree,"

Meet felt relieved.

"But. . ." He said.

Her expression changed to a surprise.

He continued, "Trust is the foundation of any relationship. Being faithful to your partner is the basic rule if you want to have a happy relationship."

Meet didn't understand if Charlie was supporting her or was against her. She was still confused.

He continued, "But. . . Every rule has an exception. Even marriage."

He looked around, "You might not agree with me, but I believe there are certain conditions in which being unfaithful doesn't feel wrong."

"You are right," Meet said.

He looked at her.

She continued, "I don't agree with you." She gave him a stern look and added, "I think it is just an excuse to justify your lust. Nothing more. There can be no reason to have an affair when you are married."

Everyone except Antara and Mayank raised their hands.

"Why would you agree with me? You are a guy, after all." Meet said, looking at Mayank.

"Antara also raised her hand." Mayank tried to defend himself from the guy card Meet played.

"You think I am wrong?" Meet asked, turning her head to Antara.

"Actually. . ." Antara paused to think before replying. "I don't know."

Meet looked at her, confused. She continued, "But I think, Charlie has a point. You can't bind every relationship under the same rule."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't have sex with some guy because I am single. I have a reason for it. In the same way, a married girl or guy too might have some reason. Being faithful is a state of mind. You can't force yourself to be faithful just because you are married."

Meet was not satisfied with the answer. She was about to say something when Charlie interrupted. "Let me tell you a few stories."

Meet paused and turned to look at him.

He looked around. "I will tell you the stories. But I will not tell you if it is wrong or not. You listen to the stories and then decide for yourself."

Everyone nodded.

***

Story 01

Reshma had a dream to become a doctor. But her conservative family got her married; instead of letting her study. She was just 19 when she got married. The groom was 30. He belonged to a joint family. They were rich, and the groom had a high-status job. Reshma's parents saw security for their girl and forced her to marry the guy without batting an eye at her teary protest.