A woman who is my wife

I first heard about her through her cricket articles. But I never knew the face behind those lines. Very frankly I did not know if she was a she or a he. But the passion in those words was more than visible.

Then, I saw her in management school. She was a batch junior to me. And she stood out. No she is not the “heart-throb” types or the “make your neck turn around” types. But she was “ENERGY” personified. Always ahead in a lot of things (even controversies). She seemed interesting (I know she will hit me for this).

Our initial interactions were not particularly amicable. (Imagine a guy, on the first day of college, telling you that you are good for marketing when the lady is hell bent on majoring in finance). Then the same guy shouts at you for late submission of forms and again when she fails to get the right medicine required by a recruiting manager.

Cricket got us together. Her knowledge and true passion for the game amazed me. And then when I was just about to leave college, we got together. Things moved pretty fast after that.

26th December 2004 – we finally tied the knot. And life changed – for me, and to a very very large extent for her. She is one who values her opinions a lot and the “mid-way out” is the last resort she can think of.

I cannot count the number of incidents where the change was such, which tested her a lot. She may have her set of complaints (I should rather say views) but she went through them all.

Views, opinions, outlook, ---- all are very individual oriented. And hence she also has them, in fact some very strong.

But that’s what she is. And two days later, I see the same lady whom I had first seen in college. The way she conducts herself through everything, the way she keeps our life going is something, which only a woman can do. I salute that species not for their endurance, but for their basic nature to bounce back and survive (rather make a happy life) out of any situation.

Then came the time when I was transferred outside India on job. And as always there were these thoughts by my family members about how I would be alone there and hence she too needs to move with me. And how conveniently her entire career was just set aside. Thankfully that understanding exists between us that she would move only if she gets something worth leaving her job here. And am sure would have done the same thing for her.

But that’s not the point. She as a woman has surpassed all my expectations and I feel so small in front of her. It may seem that her actions are what a woman would usually do. But that’s what makes them special.

She is ready to move, give up a lot of things, which have been an integral part of life. She will be away from her mother, her dear ones forever. How does that compare to me being away from my folks for a few years? It’s just a drop in that vast ocean.

My dear wife, I hope I can make your life a bit better in some way, though I would want to make it the best in every way. Apologies for everything and my best wishes and prayers for all your endeavors.