Compromise Or Someone of my own - An Excerpt

       It was past midnight. Aniruddha looked at his wife Aarya, who was busy on her laptop. Her Facebook page was open and she was as usual updating her status. She never tired of being on the Facebook. In fact, she could only talk about her Facebook friends, not about her real “boring” (in her words) ones; which obviously implied that one could be interesting and worth talking about only if he/she was active on this happening social networking site. He was also busy doing his office work on his laptop. Both of them were DINKS. ‘Double Income No Kids couple. Their laps had enough space only for their respective, inanimate laptops, but not for lively babies!

     
       Both worked in the software sector. Aniruddha was a Senior Systems Analyst and Aarya was a Software Tester. Their long and strenuous working hours left them with very little time for socializing, and of late, even interacting with each other. Both lived in virtual worlds, cut off from reality, and straining to hold on to their ‘married’ status. They worked in different departments of a Software Firm with a global presence. They got acquainted at a get-together in their swanky office and subsequently close enough to contemplate marriage. They were relatively new in their respective jobs, fresh out of college, armed with the requisite qualifications and the desired attitude. Both were go-getters.  

       
        Aniruddha was drawn to her exuberance and attractive looks and graceful dressing style. Aarya was bowled over by his innocent smile and shy persona. He wasn’t a hunk, but was good-looking enough, to attract a second look from young girls passing by! His hair was a crown of tight and dark curls, hers was a convenient bob with a lock of hair styled to fall stylishly over her right eye. His eyes were dark, hers were pools of chocolate brown. She was shapely, with an erect posture. He was stocky, with a slight paunch and yes, he slouched. During their courtship days, he would be constantly reminded by an anxious Aarya, to sit or stand erectly. After exactly 30 seconds, he would be back in his comfortable slouching posture. After marriage, anyway, Aarya lost interest in trying to straighten him up, literally!

     

The copyright of this story is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.