The Lunch Box

           'Tara', said Navin, 'I want lunch box from tomorrow. The canteen fellow has changed and the food at the factory is totally unpalatable, with rumblings in my stomach as a side effect......'. He went on for a couple of minutes more about the apathy, the management had towards the employees. 'Goodness gracious ! he doesn't like his clothes being washed in the washing machine and now this...two tiffins already in the morning plus one more !!!', a voice shrieked deep inside Tara. Navin didn't like the mammoth device which just spinned the clothes making loud noise. The maid was much better washing the clothes, but nowadays the maids refused to 'do' the clothes too. Tara had tried washing his clothes but gave up soon as the housework and managing her two kids was more than enough. So Navin did it himself, but food in the morning...no no, that was Tara's department.
                    'Navin-the kids have to leave for school by 6.40 am. I have to prepare breakfast for all of us plus pack their four tiffins (short break and long break). Can't you do something about the canteen fellow ?' Navin was furious, 'Tara, your lot should be called woe-men. Why do you make cooking look like a mountanous task ? Just remember your mother while you were growing up'. 'Please Navin, not again, we have had discussions on this for quite a number of times.' 'Well then Tara, look at Ritu. She's like you, but she packs her son two tiffins and her husband lunch box plus makes breakfast for the entire family which includes her in-laws. Well as far as I know her, she didn't know cooking before marriage as it didn't interest her at all, as she was focussed on her career. At least that's what Ryan told me. In fact it was she who insisted Ryan take home made food as the canteen food couldn't be monitored especially the oil part, even though it was for executives'. Hmm ! lucky Ryan, sighed Navin. 'O sir jee, badee achchee lagney lagee padosan...(..the neighbour's wife is suddenly all the more interesting !) teased Tara. 'She has one son that's all, that means only two...'Stop it Tara', shouted Navin and stormed out of the house that day without breakfast or lunch box'. Tara felt miserable the whole day. Why did she behave in such a fashion ? She had asked herself this question many times but there was no answer. She was simply not interested in the morning hassles in the kitchen. She loved to wake up late and go to the gym, have a word or two with the gals there and do some shopping....I mean who wants to come back to a house full of work. Why can't the house be managed by an angel (like chachi 420?) and you could come home to a loving husband who was well all set to take you out. She was ready to take up a job too. She dozed off sitting on the sofa with these and much more of course pleasant thoughts. 'Om bhoor bhuvaswaha... rang the door bell and she woke up startled. Opening the door she found Ritu standing and smiling...'Oh ! the husband's perfect example of a wife, quipped her inner voice'. 'Hi Ritu ! come inside I just want to tell you what happened. They were great neighbours if not fast friends but basically they clicked. Had to, similar background..working husbands who didn't want their wives to work, kids at home, aging parents and parents-in-laws, house work, maid...and where were they ? They found themselves when they were together or with their lot. Ritu also shared her own experience if not a similar one and asked Tara to accept the fact that she is responsible for her husband's health who earns for the family. Tara felt light. What she like about Ritu was her wisdom inspite of her too independent nature. Ritu had unconventional ideas about life too. Anyway coming back to present, she vowed she would surprise Navin the next day with hot breakfast and home made lunch ready before he leaves.