The Perfect Couple

The Perfect Couple

Rhituparna Chakraborty

He threw the pillow on her face and said, “Wake up lazy bones. Jogging time!” She woke up with a start. “Whoa! Is it 5:00 a.m. already?” “Yes baby. Hurry now,” he said. She got ready in a jiffy and then both of them went for their morning run. Fit as a fiddle, Meena and Suresh barely missed their daily exercise schedule. After coming home, Meena would make tea and breakfast for both of them, while Suresh would read the newspaper. After breakfast, Suresh would make the beds, clean the house and do the laundry while Meena would cook lunch. They used to take turns to do the dishes. Although they had part time house help, yet Meena and Suresh used to share the household chores so that no one is stressed out. In their free time, Meena would watch movies, while Suresh would read books. Both of them cared for each other but no one bothered each other. Their neighbours or family members never found them fighting or arguing. Most of the time they were either, laughing, giggling or talking about serious investments.

It was the 1st of the month today. Meena came and kept her share of the monthly expenses on the dining table. Suresh too did the same. Then Meena took the entire amount and said, “So, we are going to save some money from here”. Suresh said, “Yes and then we go for our holiday. Yayy.” “Stop behaving like a child Suresh,” said Meena. “Both of us are 55 years old. Do you even realise that? We have been married for 25 years now.” Suresh laughed and said, “Oh yes. How can I forget that?” Meena said, “Yes, I can’t forget that too.”

Suddenly Meena sat down and started staring blankly at the wall. Suresh came and sat beside her and said, “Come on Meena. We have to carry on with life. You know that”. Meena hugged Suresh tight and said, “I wish I could be with Riya. I miss her”. Suresh patted Meena’s head and said, “I too miss Rounak. But, is there a way out? They have left us Meena. The sooner we accept it, the better it is for us.”

Meena pulled herself back from Suresh, wiped her tears and said, “Yes, you are right. They have left. They too did not have the guts to face the society like us.” Suresh said, “Yes Meena, we cannot blame them. We too did the same, didn’t we?” Meena knew Suresh was right. Meena and Suresh were friends since they were in office. Suresh was in love with Rounak while Meena loved Riya. In that era, the society wouldn’t have accepted relations like theirs and their families would have had to bear the brunt of acid tongues of people. To avoid that, Suresh and Meena decided to get married to each other. For the society, they were tied in matrimony but they continued their relationship with the people they loved.

Suresh had told his family members that he had some health issues because of which he can never have a child while Meena had told her family members that she had some health issues because of which she can never have a child. Hence nobody put pressure on them to have kids. Unfortunately, Rounak lost his life a year ago and Riya was forced to leave the city because of family pressure. Suresh was shattered. Meena was broken. But they knew, they had each other in these hard times. Being best friends, they knew, they are going to be with each other no matter what. They had bought their own home. Meena occupied the master bedroom while Suresh took the other bedroom. Both of them plan to continue with this beautiful life of theirs. They might not be in love with each other but they are best friends. And to the world, they are a perfect couple.