Life Partner

By Stan Ageira, Mulky  

March 26, 2010

The flight had taken off from Toronto’s Pearson Airport on the previous day, landed at Frankfurt airport at 7:30 next morning. The fatigue and disorientation after a long flight from a different time zone had affected Steven’s mind and body. To return back to the composed state was an uphill task. Severe headache bothered him. He wasn’t sure if the pain in his head was caused by lack of sleep or by unrestrained intake of scotch during journey. He collected his laptop bag and walked towards the washroom in passenger lobby.

Steven felt lot better after he brushed his teeth and splashed water on his face. He could sense the reactivation of mind and body. The ample number of duty free shops caught his eye as he stepped out. He ambled towards the shops and checked prices of variety of items. The price was indicated in Euros. He found it far more exorbitant than his assumption.

He stopped at coffee shop and stood behind the line. Steven waited for his turn behind five customers on the front.  He flashed a credit card from his wallet and ordered for a coffee and sandwich.

 

“Sorry sir.” The lady at the counter politely refused. “The credit card machine is out of order. At this moment we accept only cash.”

Though he had Canadian dollars in his pocket his reaction suggested a state of unwillingness. He knew if paid in dollars, the loose change would be given back in Euros. The idea of converting the currency back into dollars at an exchange counter was not accepted by his mind. The thought of having a snack was given up. The displeasure was evident. Steven almost tripped when he turned and faced the lady waiting behind him. He gasped for breath while unexpectedly looking at his ex-wife Jennifer!

He was stunned and momentarily believed as if entrapped in trance. The chronological events of their past was ripped open stirred by emotions. He struggled to regain his tranquility. They had exchanged marital vows almost 10 years back in Malad’s Orlem Church. The separation had taken place in less than 2 years. There after they had met while passing thru procedures of divorce. Once the annulment was officially declared they kept themselves away from each other until today at Frankfurt airport! Steven shook his head in disbelief.

“Next.” The lady at the coffee shop counter reminded him.

“Hi.” Jennifer greeted. “I overheard what she said. I have Euros. I hope you wouldn’t mind if I pay your bill.”

She didn’t bother to wait for his consent. The lady at the counter pushed the tray containing sandwich and coffee after accepting the payment. Steven was left with no choice but to pick up the tray. They made themselves comfortable at a table close to the glass pane facing the runway.

A question plausibly goaded in his brain…..  ‘What is she doing in Frankfurt?’
 
“I was in Dusseldorf for a cosmetics and beauty product exhibition.” She reacted as if she read his mind. “I was asked to represent by my company. Now I am on my way back.”

“I have moved to Canada.” Steven voluntarily asserted. “I have been living in Brampton past 3 years.”

“You had shown least interest When I had proposed the idea of migration. Now you have moved on your own.” She carped with a grin.

“I wasn’t ready psychologically and financially. Then we had just married.” He unsmilingly replied. “Remember, we had just shifted from Malad to Andheri. I was more focused on shifting to Bandra. Having an apartment in Bandra was my dream and obviously I was concentrating on savings.”

“You were falling short in marshalling your resources. On the other hand you also wanted me to resign from job to have babies and look after the house.” Jennifer continued.

“I still believe, it is prerequisite in any marriage. The wife has to give prime importance to fulfill the needs of her husband.” Steven thoughtfully answered.

“Our separation would have left me helpless if I had resigned and had gone for babies!”  She was proud of her decision.

“A husband’s desires have to be satisfied by her wife. I find no fault in such expectations.” Steven insisted.

“On the contrary even the husband has to give attention in gratifying the wishes of his wife.” She maintained. “But you were such a big miser, not ready to spend a penny on me! I was tired of your lectures on unwanted expenditure.  In your eyes I was a spendthrift and you always insisted for your consent for spending even from my own paycheck.”

“Anyway my dream to move over to Bandra remained unaccomplished. The real estate market shot up. By then I lost both my parents. Nothing was working out as per the plan. I was depressed and wanted a change. Canada was the most appropriate choice.” He bit into the sandwich.

“I think you men are all self-centered.” She tore the sugar packet and poured the contents into the coffee. “The wishes of wives are always conveniently ignored.”

“This applies for both men and women.” Steven attempted to smile. “Do you think the desires of men are treated with enough attention by their partners?”

“I forgot to tell you.” She remembered something. “Your dream of buying an apartment in Bandra would have fulfilled if we had not divorced.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have been living with Mom in Bandra for last couple of years.” She explained. “We received a large amount of insurance soon after my Dad’s demise. The shifting to Bandra was done as our financial difficulties came to an end.”

“I wouldn’t have claimed or accepted, what belonged to your Mom.” Steven was clear in thoughts. “My conscience wouldn’t have permitted.”

“Is it the conscience or the ego? “ She didn’t hesitate to question him. “I think you still carry your egoistic attitude.”

‘The encounter had taken place after many years of separation and they were efficiently engaged in pointing out each other’s negative aspects. Couldn’t they try to be affirmative? Was it the last bid to detach the dirt which had accumulated possibly caused by multi-layered aversion?’ Steven was found lost in his thoughts.

“Why are you silent?” She sipped the coffee.

“I was encountered by a truth.” He spoke after a deep breath. “We never ever had the heart to appreciate each other’s positives. Even today we seem not grown beyond this point.”

“But except for one difference.” She expressed her opinion. “Earlier such disagreements would make us emotionally distressful. But no more, today we sound cheerful even with conflicting thoughts.”

“Do you remember the day of our wedding?” Steven recalled. “We were labeled as the most beautiful and blissful couple.”

“I remember.” She nodded. “But it proved beyond doubt that outer appearance is ephemeral. Life partners stick together when their mental frequency gets connected. If compatibility crashes they end up as strangers.”

“Does such compatibility exist in every successful married life?” He quietly questioned her.

“……………” Now it was Jennifer’s turn to remain silent.

“When the frequency gets detached in a couple’s life, they are rescued by their compromises.”  Steven stated.

“Compromise in life is like a balancing act.” Jennifer articulated with a weak smile. “Such act is normally channelized by tolerance and endurance. Frankly we didn’t have those virtues.”

“Do you have it now?” He was curious.

Jennifer didn’t make any effort to think and reply. She got up as the pubic announcement system declared the flight departure to Mumbai.

“I think we are destined to travel in the same flight.” Steven pulled the tray, disposed waste contents in the bin and placed empty tray on top.

They reached the check in counter and stood behind the line waiting for their turn.

“Do you still live alone?” Jennifer’s unanticipated question surprised him.

‘Why is she inquisitive? Does that mean she is still open for relationship? It must be hard struggle living in a male dominated society!’

“I am not lonely in life.” Steven cleared his throat. “Internet has become my life partner. I spend most of time on the net surfing, emails, chatting, you-tube, face-book etc. Domestic chore is not an issue anymore. There are enough companies listed on the net satisfy the essential needs of everyday life. Services such as Supermarkets, Catering services, Laundry, Cleaning are available at the click of the button. I have even arranged the adoption of an orphan boy.”

‘Sexual pleasures too could be obtained from the net…….’  He was tempted to express the outline of his view which erupted in his mind. The wavering psyche was somehow controlled.

“Did you find a suitable life partner?” Steven asked her after a brief pause.

“Are you curious to know about my life partner?” She replied with a giggle. “My dog German shepherd has become my most compatible partner. I like his temperament. He is intelligent, protective, obedient, faithful and bonds very well with me. Basically he understands my mood, never refuses my instructions and I truly believe he is a friend for life.”

‘Even in the past I was never desperate for sexual contentment and such desires have subsided in the recent past…….’ She didn’t reveal what appeared in her mind.

They walked together from the check-in counter, but were separated once inside the flight. Their allotted seats were in different corners.


Comment on this article

  • maxim.paul.pashen., mangalore/mumbai/kuwait

    Wed, Jul 24 2013

    wow superb yaar.. They met in malad orlem church ..seperated in andheri n came face to face in frankrupt airport ....
    Great superb
    Really fit enough to shoot a 2 hrs movie by adding 3 or 4 songs sequence..
    Wow really great play has taken place on earth ..
    But dear wt was the end as its mention they were sepeated in flight by receving different corner seat ..
    Why the hell they not told n request the airline staff to giv them same row seat side by side .... Yaar these both couple were duffer or still after meeting a gap of ten yrs as GOD gav them chance to unite again but they were still under influence of conscience or ego or could not understood wt to do futher wen both landed .......
    Wts the ending yaar ....
    But is this a story or real suitation happened in life.....wt ever but was superb heart touching ....

    Agree

  • Nancy, Mumbai

    Wed, Jul 10 2013

    Nice Story, beautifully penned down. There should be some adjustments & compromises as well the need to understand.

    Agree

  • Daisy, Goa..

    Thu, Mar 14 2013

    Walter - I have to agree with your comments...

    Agree

  • sharan, Mangalore

    Thu, Nov 03 2011

    hmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!nice article ......intresting...kept me engaged , the ending took me by surprise...

    Agree

  • deepak mangalore, mangalore

    Thu, Jan 20 2011

    good & nice story

    Agree

  • Lavina Fernandes, Rajkot,Gujarat

    Fri, Nov 26 2010

    Life is all bout adjustments.ups n downs r a part of life,one must learn to take both n respect n understand each other's point of view....

    Agree

  • Rudolf, Mangalore

    Tue, Nov 23 2010

    wow..nice story yaar ... appreciate that..keep it up...well done...))

    Agree

  • soumya, mangalore/usa

    Thu, Sep 23 2010

    Good story,life is all about adjustment......

    Agree

  • Lavina, Mumbai

    Thu, Sep 02 2010

    This story is a small fact about life. Life is so uncertain. Marriage is all about adjustment. Both husband and wife have to give their 100% to sail across this rough difficult ocean of life. Touching!

    Agree [2]

  • Priyanka Dsouza, Pangla/Bangalore

    Thu, Jul 22 2010

    Good story.....interesting
    Enjoyed reading

    Agree

  • Rammohan, India

    Wed, Mar 31 2010

    Good story, enjoyed reading. Goahead with such much more ones.

    Agree

  • William Kumar, Kinnigoli / Mira Rd-Mumbai

    Wed, Mar 31 2010

    Great Storyline..Wonderful narration..Everthing is perfect..
    As usual Stan has done good job..Good Luck Mr.Stan

    Agree

  • Saritha , Mangalore, Dubai

    Tue, Mar 30 2010

    Interesting short story. Well written. Marriage requires adjustments from both the partners.

    Agree

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore - U.S.A.

    Sun, Mar 28 2010

    Stan. Normally I do not go through stories on internet. However this particular one interested me and went through it despite the constraint on time. It is indeed a thought provoking anecdote and has given expression to certain realities in life.

    Some times trifling situations are good enough for annulments. All that you have got to do is to convince the judicial Vicar that marriage was not consumated or that there was some one else in life. Sometimes both the parties wanting annulment agree on the strategy. However this story is an eye opener that this marriage could have been saved if the young people had set aside their egos and strengthened their bonds.

    Joe Gonsalves

    Agree [1]

  • Richard Ivan, Mulki/Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 28 2010

    Well written. You come with issues which are actually happening around. Keep it up.

    Agree

  • sunil, bahrain

    Sun, Mar 28 2010

    good story,,,,

    Agree

  • Robert, Udyavar / Dubai

    Sat, Mar 27 2010

    Good One Stan. Enjoyed reading. At the end of the story Steven finding solace in using internet and Jennifer in her dog show how materialistic and cynical they are! This reminded me of your story "Traffic Signal".

    Agree

  • Vijay Almeida, Dubai

    Sat, Mar 27 2010

    Good story, kept me engaged , the ending took me by surprise.

    Agree

  • jacintha, Mangalore/ireland

    Fri, Mar 26 2010

    good article...intresting. i found both thier views are right.. if ther would be a little bit of compromise from both sides they would have had happy married life..

    Agree

  • Gabriel Vaz, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Fri, Mar 26 2010

    Well written Stan. It certainly is thought-provoking. But I can't understand why it is labelled a short story. The point of Red Chillies, I guess, is to compel readers to think. If I am right in my presumption, I feel Stan has done it admirably well.

    Agree

  • adshenoy, mangloor

    Fri, Mar 26 2010

    Good one. Also, perhaps a good dog is the only one who faithful to the owner.

    Agree

  • Walter, Mumbai

    Fri, Mar 26 2010

    Thought provoking. Goes beyond gut level.As i went through the article, found something missing...ah..ah..Jesus, our third partner.

    Agree


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