It was the same usual day for Natasha. She had just returned home from work. The time on the clock showed 7pm. It was 3 years since Natasha and Arvind were married to each other. It was an arranged marriage something Natasha was not keen on.

The phone rang and it beeped on the display “Arvind Calling”. Natasha picked up the phone. “Hey Natasha, I will be late for home tonight. Please have your dinner and go to sleep. I have the house keys, so don’t worry”. Is that OK? Arvind inquired. “Yes” Natasha replied and the line went dead.

3 years into the marriage and Natasha hardly felt any happiness. Arvind was married to his work and by the time he used to come home, he was half dead and there was hardly any communication between the two. Natasha was hoping things would improve with time, but instead it got worse. The only outing they had was their honeymoon and that was 3 years back.

Natasha tried to organise small parties where all the relatives and close friends were invited. Arvind used to give a miss to most of them. Arvind’s lack of interest in marriage was something which irked Natasha. It was not that Arvind was a bad husband or that he was cheating on her, but his indifference and lack of proper communication was something that Natasha could not bear. If Natasha was extrovert, Arvind was a plain introvert. His friends circle was small. He was not a party animal by any stretch of imagination and spoke also little. He was a complete workaholic and romance was something that did not appeal to him.

Natasha had become very impatient these days and Arvind’s behaviour was irking her all the more. She had also spoken about this to her and Arvind’s parents but to no avail.

Natasha decided that she cannot take this anymore and thought of giving a divorce to her husband. It was 9pm and Arvind wont be reaching home before 1am and Natasha had no energy to wait for him. So she took her pen and a paper and started to write a letter

“Dear Arvind,

It has been 3 years since we got married. But since past 2 years I feel a stranger in my own home. You are so involved in your work, that you have forgotten that you have a wife.

Whenever I have tried to arrange parties or small get together, you never show any interest in them. You come home late and leave for office early and I don’t get any time to talk to you.

Every woman has a dream of a man that she will eventually marry. She dreams of a man who will care for her, make her feel special and love her for the rest of her life. She dreams of a husband with whom she can be friends with. I also have such a dream Arvind. It has been 6 months since you made love to me and whenever you make love to me it is so very mechanical. You do it for the heck of it with no emotions involved.

I married you because I felt you would make an excellent husband. I don’t mind you being an introvert, but I don’t even remember when you last time told me that you love me. You have not taken any interest in my life. Marriage is just not sleeping together on the same bed, it is about sharing each other's happiness and sorrows. You don’t share anything with me Arvind.

Iam disappointed, and I cannot live such a bland life. I need a divorce from you. It is better if we stay away from each other. I cannot see myself suffering like this anymore. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be going back to my Mother’s place and by next week you will get the divorce papers. I have paid the electricity and telephone bill for this month. Also on the table I have kept numbers of Cable guy and the milk man. Contact them if you have any problem. As you will be coming late tonight and I will be fast asleep by then, hence I decided to write this letter”.

Your Lawfully wedded wife

Natasha.

Arvind reached home by 2am and saw a letter on his pillow. He saw his wife was fast asleep. He took the letter, went to the drawing room and opened it. He could not believe what he was reading. He closed his eyes as tears started to roll over his cheeks. He tore a paper from a notebook that was kept on the table. He closed his eyes for 1 moment and then began to write

Dear Natasha

To be Contd...

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