For Life's Sake

A sliver of moonlight filtered through the curtains and Nandini could see the dust mots dancing in it. Her tired body ached but sleep, she knew, would be an elusive balm that night as the buzzing in her head refused to stop. After Titli had fallen asleep, Deepak had finally told her his dilemma as they sat together for a while before retiring. 

Nandini turned her head and looked at her husband's supine figure. Her brows unconsciously drew into a frown as she wondered how he could lie there undisturbed by thoughts of their future. Irritated, she returned to her former position and stared at the ceiling.

Suddenly an idea almost made her sit up in excitement. Yes, she would do it. She knew her more cautious husband would hate the idea and reject it outright, so she decided to present him with a fait accompli. They had been stuck in the house for two months now and she was desperate to go out. Instead of the car, she would take the bike. The wind in her hair was sure to chase away her blues. Surely, if she maintained social distancing and wore the mask and gloves, she wouldn't be putting anyone at risk!  She would have to convince Deepak somehow. 

Slowly, Nandini thought the idea through. If she were to invite children in the neighbourhood to accompany her on her biking expeditions, she knew it would do them good. As a psychologist, she was aware that teenagers were specially stressed out having to deal with their hormones along with lockdown anxieties. They needed to feel free and independent which online counselling  sessions could not give them. But if they could be taken out for even an hour they would feel a lot better.  She was hopeful that the parents wouldn't object because the kids would be under her guardianship and the groups would be small. Of course she would charge a fee. Wouldn't the parents would be glad to get the kids off their hands for sometime? She hoped so! That had to be her USP, in fact. And, Nandini thought gleefully, she would arrange the timings in such a manner that Deepak would be forced to lend a hand with the household chores. Yes, the idea seemed a perfect solution to all her problems.

Heaving a sigh of  relief, Nandini turned sideways and as her eyes closed, her lips moved in a slight smile. After all, as her favourite heroine Scarlett O' Hara had said in Gone With The Wind, "Tomorrow was another day."

Deepak was awake and hearing Nandini's sigh, he knew she had thought of some new idea to increase their income. Worry was eating him up as he thought of a reduced salary and growing expenses because of the "new normal". They had had to set up two different wifi connections so that the signal remained uninterrupted as they worked from home and Titli attended her online classes. A new laptop and headphones had had to be bought for Titli's use. Nandini had naturally asked for a washing machine. He wondered what else they would have to buy. Most of their savings had been invested in a flat which, Deepak wondered, if they would ever own. On top of it all, the car loan! Who would have thought that things would change so drastically within a week? He hoped Nandini's idea was not another madcap one which he would have to coax and cajole her to abandon.

As he lay breathing gently to deceive Nandini, he felt her eyes on him and almost smiled involuntarily as he imagined her frown. His wife was impatient, impulsive, always ready to accept any challenge and he loved her for it. He knew she felt angry with him for being less driven than her but he thought they were a perfectly balanced couple. He suppressed a chuckle at the image of Nandini and himself as two fine horses racing along with Titli and her grandpa clinging to the sides of the carriage and shouting for them to stop. Ah, of course he had to be the slower one -- ying and yang -- perfect equilibrium!

But this nCovid19 had upset all his plans. He knew he had to find a supplementary outcome, something that would take him outside and allow him to exercise his muscles, else he would go mad. Gardening? He could do that! Only yesterday, while returning from the bank, he had noticed the overgrown gardens and boulevards. The municipality workers and gardeners were not coming because of the absence of transport. He did have all the required implements, after all, though they had idled for a long time. Of course, he would charge a fee but surely his neighbours would gladly pay for his services?  

Tomorrow they could sound their ideas off each other and iron out the details. Deepak closed his eyes and whispered a short prayer. They would need to change  their mindsets somewhat and make the most of the new opportunities as they presented themselves for he knew that life  would fight for its own survival. 

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