Taming the Tiger Mom

One cannot stand on a steep pebbled slope and not glissade down. They did and soon were over the cliff plunging down. They were still huddled in bed an hour later when the clock struck.

"The children will be back any moment now," said Saras. They hurriedly got up and dressed. Saras collected the stained sheets and loaded the washer. She saw the receipt of the mechanic on top. With lips stretched in a smug smile she neatly cut out his name and cell number that he had written in the lower border. She gripped the bit of paper with her kitchen tongs and lighting the burner she set it aflame.

*

The next morning, as is so often the case, was different. Saras woke up with feelings of guilt gnawing into her vitals. The argument she employed yesterday about her action being totally without emotional involvement was not working. Her husband was such a kindly man that she felt beastly at having wronged him. And then there was this other anxiety. Will he find out? Did she leave clues behind for his astute mind to suspect? Suddenly she jolted up. It was easy, too easy an exercise for her husband. He must be certain that some thing must have triggered her changed attitude. It is obvious that whatever happened must have occurred during the time the children were in school. The only event in that interval was the visit by the service engineer and that was no secret. From there the answer was a short straight line away. But a week passed and there was no indication that he even suspected. Her guilty mind however kept churning and soon she reached bursting point. She decided that she cannot live with herself harbouring the secret. She had to broach the topic and if it comes to that confess and face the consequences.

She got her chance the next day. It was the evening hour before the children returned from tuition.

"Sada, I want to ask you something."

"What's that?"

"About my sudden about turn."

"What about turn?"

"My relenting suddenly about Rupa's cell phone and Ramu's guitar."

"And," continued Sada "not forgetting the etcetera that happily is now a continuing event."

"Yes," said Saras smiling uncertainly.

"What about it?"

"Are you not curious to know what triggered the change?"

He looked sternly into her eyes. Slowly it resolved into a smile. "I prefer not to know," he said, "and what is more," his face was widening in a broad grin with eyes twinkling, "I will be happy if you shelve that topic for ever." He held her head with both his hands and pulling it towards him he kissed her lovingly on the forehead.