Young couple

Dorji and Pema lived in the outskirts of town, in a peaceful hill station of
Sikkim. They lived in one of the buildings in the colony area and few
other neighbors dwelled in the buildings too. They married recently and
both were young and energetic couple. Dorji was short, round and fat
while his wife was thin, tall and dark. Pema looked awesome in her
brown wavy hair, especially when she smiled. Dorji went to office and
Pema stayed at home. It took almost three hours for Dorji to reach office
by car. While heading towards office he had to cross by the town. He
could reach home by the evening only. By the time he reached home in
the evening, he was tired. Still, as they were young, they had full energy
to chat and work up to late night. After their marriage, that was a usual
practice for some time.
One evening, the couple was just having normal conversation at home.
Pema dressed up in red and let her hair loosely hanged to attract her
husband’s attention. Dorji was tired after a daylong work in the office
but paid attention to Pema by hugging and praising her beauty. After a
while Dorji prepared coffee for both of them and had it. Pema went into
the bath room for the shower. Dorji thought about how they met recently
in the past. It was in Sikkim town where they met. Dorji just went to his
relative’s house to attend an occasion where the guests had come from
outside. Dorji was informed by his aunt that there will be party
celebration that night and was informed to attend. He reluctantly went to
party that evening, as he was not that party freak. Anyway, as informed
by his aunt, he went there, where many guests had come, to spend his
time that afternoon. Suddenly his face brightened when he saw a
beautiful young lady among the guests. The lady was all alone who has
come to that place with some of her relatives from faraway place.  On
seeing the beauty of the lady, Dorji was spell bound. Dorji was asked to
do some important job in the party as he was the only young adult who
knew how to write well. Others were all illiterate in the group. He was
actually asked to write an important application on behalf of the
labpeople who have gathered in the party. While Dorji was writing
inside the room, the girl entered into the room to get her bag. Dorji’s
uncle, who was there nearby him, took an opportunity to tease the lady.
“Hello beautiful young lady! What is your name? He is my young
bachelor nephew Dorji!” “Oh hi, I am Dorji” said Dorji shyly. “I’m
Pema” replied Pema. Uncle was a villager and he further said in his
traditional manner, “So why don’t you talk to each other and decide
about your future. After all, both of you are young. He is highly
qualified and works in one of the prominent offices here in Sikkim”.
Pema was short tempered lady but straight forward. She just became
uncomfortable to hear such proposal words from Dorji’s uncle and
blurted out, “What uncle? You mean marriage? No chance… I can’t
think of it with stranger… Even if I have to, I will have to think a lot”.
Pema was a normal young lady who became surprise to hear such words
from strange man in a party and responded bit harshly. But as Pema was
also young spinster, she gave a second thought inside her mind. Dorji
didn’t speak much. It was his uncle who teased them and let them talk
and be friend.
In the evening after the dinner both of them thought for some time and
came closer to talk, while others were busy drinking and dancing. Dorji
and Pema went to a corner and started talking for some time.
“So, from where did you come and till when are you going to stay
here?”
“We came from Bhutan to meet our relatives here. By tomorrow, we
will be leaving”
“Oh you are leaving soon. I wish you stay here for some time”
“No, we have to attend some important work in other place tomorrow”
“Oh really? Can you give me your number please? I would love to talk
to you through phone”
Pema gave her mobile number reluctantly because she didn’t have the
habit of giving her phone number to stranger. Still, she thought the man
was good and she gave her number to him. “Bye and good night. Safe
journey for tomorrow. I will call you over phone”, said Dorji. “Okay
good night and take care”, responded Pema. They departed sadly. From
the next day onward, Dorji became love sick of her and called several
times in a day. Pema knew his love power and accepted after four
months. That was how they met as a married couple.
Some handsome man living in the colony made Dorji to think twice
every time he left for office. Immature Dorji simply felt little bit of
insecurity within him about his wife, but he didn’t reveal his thought to
anyone. “Will you go to town today for shopping?” asked Dorji. “Yeah,
we need to buy vegetables today. I think I have to go”, said the wife.
Dorji feared losing his wife too much, as he met her recently only and
his infatuated love towards her was quite strong. Dorji thought for a
while and said,  “I think, you don’t have to go. I will bring the
vegetables while returning from the office in the evening”. Pema felt bit
awkward seeing the unusual tone in her husband’s voice and different
facial expression but nodded to Dorji happily. “Well then, come soon in
the evening. I get bored alone at home” Dorji hugged her and went to
office. “Okay bye”
Day by day, Dorji’s possessiveness over his wife grew and that brought
unnecessary tension into their relationship.  He never allowed her to go
alone anywhere. Dorji lost all the charms of married life for not being
able to control his emotion. He was simply too much attached towards
his wife and feared losing her to some handsome men. Once, he even
raised his hand over Pema. “I think, I will no more stay here in your
house now. I will go away to my parent’s place. Enough is enough”,
blurted out Pema in sadness and frustration. Dorji nearly died out of
sadness for being cruel to Pema and folded his hands to beg her pardon
for whatever he did. He realized his mistakes. “I am really sorry. I
couldn’t control my temper. I know you are truly hurt. Please accept my
apology. Hence forth I will never repeat such mistake”. Seeing the truth
in the way Dorji apologized, Pema actually did forgive him. “What if
you do the same..?” asked Pema. Dorji replied, “Then you may leave me
as you said just now”. Wife added, “No, it is not the only problem. You
even don’t give me freedom to go anywhere. I really wanted to be free.
You should not behave the way you did till now”. Dorji was really sad
and felt for his wife’s pain and said, “Okay, I will now change for your
happiness. I will not be like before”.
He then once, built up the courage and let her free for some time to do
everything on her own. He never bothered her for anything but
sometimes interfered to help her in need. Pema felt happy as she could
go anywhere as free as bird. This courage of Dorji to let go his too much
attachment revived everything in their relationship life. They once again
enjoyed the life like the way they used to live in the beginning. All the
tension and frustration disappeared and happiness prevailed. Both of
them performed very well in life.
Seeing the change in her husband’s behavior, Pema really became
happy. She invited her neighbor friend Lhaki to join for a meal. Lhaki
also was a housewife. Sometimes even Pema went out to her friend’s
house. Lhaki came into her house feeling glad for the invitation. “How is
everything Pema?” asked Lhaki. “Oh, come Lhaki. Yes all is well here.
So how are you doing?” “I am good, thank you”. Pema brought coffee
for both of them and drank. They chatted while drinking coffee. “So
how is your husband doing with you these days? It seems he is being
good now.  I can see in your being”. “Yes, Lhaki, you are right. We are
doing very well now. He allows me to do many good things on my own
and love me more. “Lhaki responded, “Oh really, I am too happy to see
you two doing well friend. I used to worry even, before, when you
quarreled a lot. Change is possible and I am truly inspired to see such
change in your husband’s attitude. It is truly great. Thumps up to you”.
“Thank you, Lhaki. You are the only one who understands me. I am
really thankful for your support and company”. Two of them had mid-
day meal together and spent time enjoyably. They made the plan to go
for a shopping the next day in a town and departed.
Next morning, while having breakfast, Pema said, “I am going to town
today with Lhaki. What shall I bring for you?”. “Is it so? Good bring me
some fruits. Come soon and take care” “Thank you dear” Dorji went to
office and Pema went to her friend’s house. Lhaki was already ready to
leave. Two of them went by Lhaki’s car. ()Reaching town, they shopped
till afternoon. By two in the afternoon, they reached back to their home.
Pema truly felt good going for shopping after long time with her friend
and for being able to buy a lot for herself and her husband.
“Would you like to have a cup of coffee?” asked Pema sweetly to her
Husband.
“Yes darling, I would love to”, responded Dorji.
“We shall go for disco tonight dear”, requested Pema to Dorji.
“Oh, sure, I would love to dance with you. Let’s go”, said Dorji. Two of
them loved and understood each other better in that way. Dorji had lots
of charms because he could control his emotion to certain extent now.
Before, he lost the control and lost all his charms. 
Pema was doing well in every field but surprisingly, Dorji started to
change after several months. Lhaki’s often visit to Pema’s place has
made Dorji to grow intimacy with Lhaki. One weekend, Dorji, Pema and
Lhaki went for swimming to a nearby river. Lhaki’s husband was away
for studies in abroad for three years. They swam and had food and
clicked some photos. As Lhaki was beautiful, Dorji naturally showed
some inclination towards her. Pema felt strange but tactfully broaden her
attitude as Lhaki was her good friend. Dorji went to the extent of
hugging Lhaki too close openly and Pema felt uncomfortable.
“Come on Pema, I know what you are thinking at the moment” said
Dorji.
“Well, what do you think that I am thinking of?”
“Lhaki and I am just a good friend. Don’t take it negatively please”
“Oh come on, you loafer, I have never taken things negatively. It is you
who said about it first”
Dorji and Pema quarreled for some time and stopped. Lhaki was silent
this time as she enjoyed the intimacy of Dorji towards her. She enjoyed
Dorji’s aggressiveness towards Pema. They went home in the evening.
At home Dorji consoled his wife for long time before they went to bed.
They had dinner and went to bed early that evening. Lhaki went to her
own house.
From the next day onward, the frequency of Lhaki’s visit to Pema’s
home reduced. Pema too felt awkward to notice such change in the
behavior of her friend. But Pema still didn’t interfere to her friend’s
reaction. She remained alone at home and went for shopping alone.
Dorji started calling Lhaki through phone from the office during the
office hour. Day by day, Dorji’s love for Lhaki grew and on the other
hand his love for Pema reduced.
“Hello, Lhaki. It’s me Dorji”.
“Hello, how is your good heart today?”
“Yes, I am good”
“I just want to request you to have dinner with me today at the
restaurant”, said Lhaki.
“Oh sure, it is my pleasure to join you”
“Thank you Lhaki. Get ready at 6; 30 pm. I will come directly from the
office”.
“Bye”
That evening, Dorji went early from the office and met Lhaki at home.
Lhaki was already ready in her beautiful dress when Dorji reached at her
house. Lhaki insisted him not to go to restaurant but stay there at her
house only. Dorji agreed and they had drunk and spent time together in
pleasure. At around, 8 p.m. Dorji left Lhaki’s house and went to Pema.
Pema was waiting at home as usual.
“Oh you came. Why were you late today?”
“There was coordination meeting today. So got late” Dorji told lie.
Pema thought it was true and brought the coffee for Dorji. Dorji didn’t
drink coffee saying that he had in the meeting enough. He directly went
to bed without taking even the dinner. Pema felt different but she made
up her mind thinking that he must be tired of the meeting. That night,
Dorji hugged her, but there wasn’t any emotion in their hug. They
couldn’t have any pleasure of the night.
Once again Pema started feeling bad in her life after a long time. She
enjoyed every freedom of her life with her husband so far but now
something different problem emerged into her life. Still Pema
maintained her positive mind even though Dorji showed up so many
signs of disinterest to her life. Dorji too occasionally felt bad of his
conduct but could not control his emotion howsoever. He lost control
over his emotion and landed up giving trouble to innocent and beautiful
Pema. Next morning, Pema tried to correct him little bit.
“Come soon today. We will have to go to town”
“Okay darling, I will try” said Dorji actively but with bit reluctance at
the heart.
“You are always reaching home late these days. Come soon today”,
Pema didn’t say much with every detail but said it lightly, as she was
always polite and soft spoken.
“Okay, I will come soon today”. Dorji left for the office.
Dorji thought a lot about how he spent time with his recent lover Lhaki
while heading towards office in the car. He thought of the night spent
that he enjoyed with Lhaki. He nearly diverted the direction towards his
lover’s house but Pema’s words striked his mind immediately. He
changed his mind and reached office. In the office, he could not perform
well, with all the mixed feelings arising into his mind. While he was in
the office, his phone rang.
“Hello”
“Hello, this is Lhaki speaking”
“Yes Lhaki, how is everything?”
“I want you to come home today. I like to spend time with you”
“Thank you but I have long meeting to attend today”, said Dorji quickly,
remembering the words of Pema which were said in the morning. Lhaki
kept the phone abruptly. Dorji actually wanted to attend Lhaki but could
not break the promise of his wife on the other side. He was trying to kill
two birds with one stone. That evening, he went early and took his wife
to town for shopping. They came back from shopping and slept. Pema
felt good for some time.
Season changed and the hills of Sikkim looked green in the spring.
People wore beautiful dress and had picture in the blossom of spring.
Children played cricket and football. Summer was wet and heavy rain
poured. People walked in gumboots with umbrella and raincoat. Kids
loved playing in the muddy pond. Students ate ice-cream on the way to
school. In autumn, farmers harvested their crops and trees turned yellow.
Due to the wind, people suffered from cough and cold. Winter was truly
cold in the hills of Sikkim. People living in the colony near their house
made fire to keep them warm. They wore sweater and jackets. Snowfall
was the most stunning scene to see in winter in that place.
Dorji’s affair with Lhaki had almost become known to many neighbors
by now. Pema was the only person who didn’t know much about their
love affairs. In a few weeks time, Pema was supposed to give birth. Poor
Dorji couldn’t stop loving Lhaki. At the same time, he was worried
about the responsibility that he has to bear for his pregnant wife.
One day, while Dorji left for office, one of the neighbors came to Pema
and revealed all the affairs happening between Lhaki and Dorji. Pema
felt about it before itself, but couldn’t really tell about it to Dorji because
of the lack of any evidence. Now Pema heard it from a reliable source
and she wanted to really find it out even though she is not very well.  
“Are you doing things right?” asked Pema
“Yes, what’s wrong dear?”
“No… just asking”
“But why?” Dorji changed his face for a while.
“It is because you are getting late often now. It has been year now”,
Pema said it lightly. Dorji didn’t take it seriously thinking that his wife
could be just checking his mind. Actually Pema wanted to find it out
now as it has been too much.
Once, Pema made a plan to go mibehind her husband to see how he was
getting late. She hired the taxi in advance and went behind Dorji towards
office the next day. When he was in the office, she waited outside the
office. In the evening, she followed him by the taxi. Dorji’s car slowed
down when he reached in the town. Pema watched from a very close
from within her taxi. Dorji didn’t notice her presence. After a while, a
lady in short skirt appeared and it was none other than Lhaki. Two of
them went towards the restaurant holding hand in hand. Pema just
culdn’t resist her emotion and became blind at once. She ran and shouted
at the top of her voice in the middle of the town and caught hold of
Lhaki’s hair and pulled and pulled very hard. A bunch of hair plucked
out of Lhaki’s hair and Lhaki screamed in terror and fear. So many
people gathered to witness the scene in the town
“You rascal and loafer idiot” shouted Pema towards Dorji and Lhaki.
“I have been waiting till today for the eye witness and today I saw it all.
I will never leave you like that” Pema bet her black and blue. Dorji
became embarrassed in front of many people and he came to negotiate
the fight. Even he got some from angry Pema. Dorji blushed and
remained silent awkwardly in front of many people. Some people came
and supported Pema and talked in favor of her to the husband and Lhaki.
People in town negotiated the fight and reached them all up to their
respective houses. Many neighbors came to Dorji’s house, upon seeing
the incidents and talked with the couple for some time. Pema nearly left
Dorji in sadness and frustration but many people requested her to live
with Dorji. Dorji was already ashamed and lost all the hope that Pema
won’t accept his apology. Anyways, Dorji cried and spoke. “You are my
only dear wife. Moreover, you are pregnant” said Dorji. “So please don’t
do anything at this moment”. Pema didn’t keep quite this time as it was
Dorji’s second time hurting her.
“Today, there are many neighbors here at home. We have to make an
agreement that, henceforth you will not go with that lady and any others
too.”  Dorji was worried about Pema’s health and immediately accepted
to make an agreement for her happiness. People who came there helped
writing agreement and settled the case. In the evening, all people left and
two of them truly apologized to each other for some time.  They made
clarifications about the past deeds to each other calmly. Pema agreed to
Dorji this time easily. In between they laughed too talking about that
day’s incidents in the town.
In a few weeks time, Pema gave birth to a son and they lived happily.
Henceforth, Dorji remained faithful to his wife.