Twenties - Story

Standing at the balcony, she leans on the wet balustrade, looking at the wet roads and breathing the fresh cold air in the post rain scenario. Her fingers curl her hair and she observes the roads thought lost. Her hair was gradually thinning, she plucked a few grayed hair strands and threw them from the balcony. Her lips were turned down and eyes tired. There was an uncomfortable silence. 

"Why are the lights out, Sama?" a man's voice comes from behind. He could see the dark hall room that continued to the balcony, the silhouette of his wife standing while the curtain blows with the cold air. Lighting up his house, he walked to Sama and leaned on the balustrade beside her. They stand together silently, then she casts a look on him. 

"You are never this late?" 

"Yes, got stuck up with the editing team. They actually-" he paused guessing that she wouldn't be interested. 

"Editing team, media prints, deadlines.... What else do we talk about?" 

"What do you want to talk about?" he sips his coffee. 

"This is so done. We are stuck in the same routine. I take care of the children, going to the parks, listening to other moms. Then going to work and listen to that boss in there. Groceries, clothes shopping! Why have I taken all this on my head? Then cook for you and those little..." she paused. 

He didn't know what to say. He was too scared she would snap. He struggled to get words out of his mouth, "What is going on Sama? You are tired of the routine?"

"No!" she snapped, "I am tired of you! You are never really there. It is me who manages all the chores in house and at work. You have only one job. And when I come back, I get to see your dirt spilled around everywhere. My complains will never end so don't get me started. Cleaning the house, getting the kids done, working in the office. I am getting tired. I am not the same person I was before my pregnancy. My hair is thinning, my skin is ageing and my body is shrinking. I am tired... I... cannot" she sank her face on her palms sobbing. She lifted up soon. 

"I need a break, Abhay" she concurred.

Abhay silently heard her. They both continued on their silence feeling the cool breeze. The distant sounds of the vehicles mocked them. He waited till the sky turned dark and the street lights were on. 

"Remember the night bike rides, Sama?" 

"Shut up, Abhay. I am not in mood of your nostalgic talks anyways." 

He grabs her hand forcing her to turn towards him. She looks at him with wide eyes.

"You are right! We are no more in our twenties and we do miss such freedom. But we have to move on with our lives. I am sorry if at all I have burdened you. But the next time you struggle, you won't wait till I ask, alright?" 

They silently stare at each other.

A heavy wave of the wind dashes Sama blowing her hair to the left. They look at each other and break into a small laughter. Sama suddenly comes in pact with the beautiful orange roads under a dark sky. 

Abhay puts his hand over hers. She puts her head on his shoulder.