1. Ka and Ki.

 "Where are my socks?" screamed Rohit. "I never find anything in this house," he added.

Radha quietly brought a pair of crisp socks and handed them over to Rohit. "You've got an important meeting today, so I've made these ready along with your shirt. They match, don't they?" she smiled.

"What's wrong with you? I am getting late and you are playing the matching game! ", Rohit was annoyed. He snatched the socks, put them on, and left hastily.

Radha ran towards his car, "You forgot the lunch bag on the centre table." She took the bag from the window. "It was on the table. Don't tell me. I was sitting right there and I didn't see it. Is that what you mean?. "Rohit snapped at her.

Radha didn't utter a word. Rohit's car left, and Radha walked back to the house with heavy steps.

What's wrong with me? Why do I behave in such a way? Why do I do this to irritate him?.. her soliloquy.

Sighing enough, she closed the living room door to get back to the grind.

She had to get the kids ready for school. Pack their tiffins. She had already missed her yoga routine yesterday.

Rohit had returned from his business trip the night prior, so he had warned her not to wake up and make any noise to disturb his sleep. Hence, Radha's schedule had been delayed, and she couldn't do her exercises for the day. And she couldn't skip it today either, as Rohit would get annoyed if she put on weight.

Rohit had his lunch and was searching for the hand towel in his lunch bag. He thought Radha was such an absent-minded woman. Rohit, by now, was nettled. In her mind, she had nothing to do all day, yet she forgets to do simple things.

Rohit finished the day's work and got into the car. He found the hand towel lying on the passenger seat. He thought and drove home. Here it is. She cannot pack it in properly either.

Radha was waiting for him on the veranda. She had put the tea on to boil and her pakora batter was ready to be fried. She had planned to cheer up Rohit with his favourite snack, as he was irritated in the morning. As soon as she heard the horn of Rohit's car, she opened the door and rushed into the kitchen to fry some pakoras.

Rohit came in, "Radha, where are you?" He heard the sizzle of pakora and went into the kitchen. "Are you mad?" he blurted out. "Why did you leave the door open?" You are alone at home. What if someone sneaks in? ...For the first time, Radha ignored his blabber. She served hot pakodas and masala tea on the table. "Have some Rohit," she smiled.

But Rohit continued with his blabber. Radha once again silently heard him.

The doorbell rang. The kids had come home after finishing their tuition classes.

Yummm! Pakodas!... They were delighted. They sat on the chairs and devoured the snacks.

Radha was glad that her kids enjoyed the food and her efforts didn't go to waste.

She finished the day's chores and sat on the swing on their balcony. She was feeling low. I am trying my best, but still I am not up to the mark. Rohit is talented and smart. I am no match for him. I don't work and I don't assist him with his finances. She was deliberating with herself.

"What are you doing, Radha? You have all the time to relax at home, but I have to go and work in the office tomorrow. Rohit called out loudly, "Just sleep now, will you?"

Radha wiped her tears and rushed in.

The next day, they had to attend a housewarming at Rohit's colleague's place.

"Wear something pretty, not those regular dull colours you wear," Rohit instructed.

Radha took out a bright pink salwar-suit.

"This is too goudy." I don't know what has happened to your taste these days," Rohit commented. "But this one... you gave me for our anniversary 2 years ago...". Before Radha could finish, Rohit interrupted. "Wear that blue one." He just flipped the discussion.

They both got ready. Radha instructed the kids regarding food etc., asked them to lock the doors and they left.

Rohit's colleague and his wife welcomed them. "Your wife is very pretty," my colleague's wife said. "Thank you, you are beautiful too, and you look elegant in this saree," Radha replied.

"Such a polite person your wife is," Rohit's colleague said.

"Ah! Polite She is one forgetful person, I tell you. So she has to be polite to cover up her mistakes, "Rohit laughed aloud. The colleague and his wife got awkward. They looked at Radha. Her face had gone dull.

"I am joking yaar!" Rohit laughed again.

To change the topic, my colleague's wife asked Radha what she does.

"She's a housewife, doesn't work," Rohit replied abruptly.

Radha felt a gash in her heart. She just let the moment pass, inhaled and exhaled.

"Yes! I am a housewife and I don't work in an office. But I slog the whole day at home. I prepare delicious food as per everyone's preferences, day in and out. I clean the house, wash utensils and clothes. I iron clothes for him so that he impresses the clients in his meetings. I take care of everything in our house, from his socks to his books. I maintain and arrange them all. " Radha wished she could've uttered this bravely.

But she couldn't.

Society has set norms for KA and KI. LadKA, the man, is the boss of the house, while ladKI, the woman, because of whom the house actually runs, has to be on the receiving end. She is shamed for not being smart, not being educated enough, not being presentable, not being qualified, and not being financially independent.

But some houses are run differently. Want to know more?

 

When you judge a woman by her appearance, it doesn't define her, it defines you. Dr. Steve Maraboli.

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