The Stranger

It was quite a sunny day, when my husband came up with a striking news that one of his friends is coming to stay with us on this summer. The very idea of his friend staying in our house hit my mind very hardly but I received this news with joy as I had always been a sincere and obedient wife for my husband. But from the time being, I had listened the news, my mind was heated with lots of bubbles: bubbles of stress and tensions, that it would definitely disturb our private life, our budget, my house cleanliness etc.

However, the day came and my husband arrived with his friend early in the morning. Rohit: tall, dark, handsome, aged between 25-28, greeted me as sister- in-law ( bhabi) and my husband as brother (bhaiya). Inspite of all my stress and tension, I welcomed him with a warm and courteous behaviour but somewhere in my mind, I decided to turn him out of my house very soon.

Rohit, had a very friendly and jolly attitude who also helped me sometimes in my household chores. He has came for any summer training course in management. One day I decided to change his mind against this short term course insisting that it's of no use and a sheer waste of money. We had a long discussion on this topic, but looking that I am unable to convince him, I said that "ok then you must have chosen any nice or reputed institute for this as we have IBM in kolkata and in Delhi. . . " but he stopped me in the mid of that saying " I must have chosen wrong location, wrong institute but I am sure i have chosen nice lodging for this summer holiday" which kept me mum for a while.

Rohit was very disciplined and mannered in his day to day work as of which I got no chance to convince my husband against him. As a result of which I opted for some cheap act like I served him tea without sugar or meal without salt or spices etc. Although I didn't want to do it so. But I was shocked that he never said a word to me regarding this.

Every possible effort of mine failed and the day came, when Rohit finally announced, that his course is completed and he will be departing tomorrow. I was very happy and felt that all the bubbles of stress, evaporated on that particular moment.

On the next day, Rohit got up a bit late in the morning and he sat beside me with a cup of tea in his hand and told that yesterday night he and my husband had drink and bulk of talk after so many years. He then said, that he had expressed his deep love for me to my husband and how desperate your wife is towards me. I couldn't resist and shouted " What! How dare you!" and immediately my foot rushed to call up my husband from his office, so that I could clarify. I was almost on the verge of nerve breakdown, thinking that my conjugal life is over.

Within half an hour, my husband arrived leaving every work behind as he has always been a caring husband. But before I could say something, Rohit came with all his luggage packed and to say good bye to both of us. He hugged my husband and said that it was a lovely holiday, which I will remember throughout my life, especially the sisterly and brotherly love and affection, provided by sister- in-law. She is a true sister who took lot of care and provided me a homely environment. I don't know but how she came to know that I am a sufferer of sugar and high blood pressure as of which she provided me a balanced diet everyday. After listening his words of appreciation, my eyes was filled with tears and my lips shivered to say Sorry! but I concealed my feelings as it could have revealed my cheap character. Soon Rohit came to touch my feet and said " bye my dear sister, will miss u. "I couldn't say anything except " Do come again ".

It was a day which taught me a lesson that whatever we think is not correct everytime. My personal feelings failed but I was rewarded with lots of love and affection. Although it was a personal failure but the conclusion was worth the disappointment.