“I hope she likes my choice of house” Sandeep said, his face for the first time showing some nervousness.
We – Sandeep and I - were standing outside the arrival gate
of the Dubai airport terminal. Sandeep got
married recently during his vacation in India. After a short honey-moon, he returned
to Dubai and quickly processed his wife’s residence visa. She was arriving tonight – and as he did not
have a car, I had volunteered to give them a lift home.
He was excited and full of anticipation about the reunion. It has been a long 2 months of separation.
“She will like it as long as the bathroom and toilet are good” I told him.
This was experience speaking. As we know, wives are notoriously difficult to
satisfy when it comes to a house that the husband has selected. I have
driven several land-lords and estate agents up the wall with my strange behavior
whenever I have looked around for housing.
They will start showing me all the good things of a house e.g. the view
from the balcony or the spacious wardrobe – but all I would be interested would
be in examining the bathroom. This of
course comes from knowing the wife well.
“Yes, the bathroom is clean – but I am worried about the dust
and the noise as my apartment faces the main road.” he said gloomily.
Just then his wife made a grand appearance, and I did my
best to keep myself out of their way.
The drive to their house was quite stressful. When a newly married couple who have been
separated for 2 months are suddenly re-united, there are a lot of interesting things
that they would rather engage in. But in
the presence of grey bearded individuals they are forced to show a certain restraint.
I helped them with the luggage up to their apartment.
The wife was quietly surveying the apartment. I thought it was time for me to leave.
Sandeep chose to come out of the apartment and escorted me back
to where I had parked my car.
“You do not need to escort me - your place is by her side when she explores
her new house” I told him, thinking that I will share my wealth of 20 years of married
experience with this novice.
“On the contrary I should not be around when she first surveys the house. By the time I go back she would
have come to terms with whatever defects she may find with the house” he said
with a wink.
He seems to be already talking like a much married man.
“Beta, you will certainly go far in your married life.” I told him, as he galloped his way back to his apartment.
