Believe it or not!!!

The line at the ATM was particularly long that morning. To add to the woe, were two customers whose card got stuck in the machine and the security took 10 min each to retrieve their cards. The lady standing front of me was fidgeting a lot. I thought probably she was late for work.  Soon it was her turn she went inside and I saw she was clearly agitated. She came out and just stumbled on the steps and began to mumble to herself. I recognized her as the lady who stayed in the huge house opposite ours and I was a smiling acquaintance. Since we both were working , we could not get to know each other much. Her husband had a flashy car and it looked like they were very well to do.

My daughter who was accompanying me (she needed money to purchase stationery) is a very people person and helpful one at that. She ran to her, sat beside her and enquired if everything was all right. My daughter also has a countenance that makes people trust her. I had no choice but to go inside the ATM to get my cash for alas, my purse was empty. Later I joined my daughter and the lady on the step. The lady kept repeating she had to draw the money urgently but had forgotten her PIN No. Since I work in a counseling centre I saw that she was clearly tensed. I suggested if she was not late for work she accompany us to the nearby coffee shop. I was sure she would decline for we barely knew each other. But she put me in the wrong by complying. Probably there is a stage in one’s life that he or she needs to confide in others. We walked the short distance to café coffee day in silence, the only sound being the shrill honking of the moving traffic.

After being comfortably seated near a window overlooking a garden, I ordered coffee for all of us. The lady had visibly calmed down and was looking apologetic. But my young daughters smile (the bright psychology student)re assured her and she shyly began sipping her coffee. I put down my coffee cup and smiling in her direction asked her what the matter was. She said she was there to draw money and after she inserted the card turned a full blank and could not remember her password. I told her she was tense and she needed to relax and to confide in me her problem.

She said that she had an altercation that morning with her husband. And left in a huff and did not have her breakfast. I offered to buy her something to eat. She thanked me and declined. So I asked her what happened that day.

Her husband was a business man and usually had to hobnob with highfliers, partying with them on his various business deals. Though there was always an invite for the spouse, he never did invite her for she was a school teacher and he was ashamed to introduce her as such. About the invite though, she was not aware. It just happened that his colleague had dropped by that very morning to collect some files for the day’s meeting and casually asked her if she was joining them for the social evening. After the colleague left she asked him about the party in the evening and after much cajoling he revealed that he was ashamed of her school teacher status. Our lady was dumbstruck.

She said she had now been married to him for so many years. During the bride-seeing ceremony he business man- (to be) husband had specifically said he did not want a working woman but a homemaker for he belonged to a joint family. The bride should look after his aging parents. She had just finished her graduation. Accordingly she managed the household chores and then came the  birth of her first child- a son. Later in a strange twist of fate most of the family members were killed in a tragic airplane crash while returning after an overseas conducted tour. So our lady went on to get a Master degree and also did a teachers training course. By this time she was the mother of another boy. She said she loved being with and teaching children and children too developed a liking for her. She admitted to her husband that she would like to take up teaching job. When he said no compromising on household work and not to expect his help in managing the household and she agreed readily to all his conditions and he grudgingly agreed.

Somehow Her  boys were put in Doon School as resident scholars. She said she felt lonely sometimes.

It was good that she worked, for a after a few years his business partner cheated him and went under loss. For two years he just strayed trying out one business or other and trying to get money for his new ideas, which was always difficult. During those times our lady was the sole breadwinner and had to keep up his spirits too. She spoke to the manager of the bank near her school where her salary got deposited and he agreed to give him a loan. After that his life took on a new turn and he was always busy travelling and meeting his business partners.  She too learnt some new teaching aid courses and went on to teach the higher classes. Life went on at a steady pace. It was not really necessary that she worked. But she liked what she was doing and would have done it even free of cost, for she said she was a very good teacher and the children not only liked her but scored very well in her subjects- mathematics and science.

Since he now met people in high positions he expected that his wife be a social butterfly and dress in the modern clothes. Our lady said she enjoyed living a simple lifestyle. Observing her I found that she was really very good looking and young too and yes draped  in a plain cotton saree which was apt for school.

Then she elaborated about what happened next that morning. “Now he has to take me to the party. There is no excuse for him and he said how could he take me’. Now tell me am I bad looking.?

I said, ‘no. you are very beautiful. Would you like to attend the party??

She said- actually no, but I am pissed off. So I want to go

’With a little make over you can be stunning. Why not try it. Take today off if you have a holiday.

‘Yes’. ‘I can take a leave today’.

“so call now and say you are not coming. I too will do the same and we will plan something”. Already my daughters eyes were shining. We suddenly got into a contagious excitement.

This time when she went to the same ATM to draw money, it was smooth going and she was relieved.

We went to the beauty parlour that I frequented and asked the lady to give her a nice haircut and that she could flaunt at the party.  After deciding on the cut, we asked for a nice facial and manicure and pedicure for her. Her nails were painted a sepia pink. Since the make up was for the evening we made an appointment with the parlour for a four –o-clock sitting. Then went to the shopping mall which was quite far off. Got her a nice glitzy saree and went on to hunt for a ready made blouse and some jewellery and other accessories to match with it. We did quite a bit of haggling but liked our purchases.

We had a light lunch and juice. And made haste for our evening appointment at the parlour. And lo and presto like the magician waving her wand our beautician turned her into a beautiful masterpiece. With right amount of make-up and curls and twist to the hair she was looking ravishing. Me and my daughter were breathless with excitement.

We turned towards our house. We wanted to catch the look on her husband’s face when he saw her. He did see her and ignored her completely. But when she approached him slowly his eyes turned into wonderment, appreciation and he watched dumbstruck. She smiled at him with joy and only then did he notice us with her. We waved at them and went into our house.

Now we are waiting for her to return and tell us what transpired at the party.

J