Silent Assumptions

Mr Lugun stood at the main gate of the apartment building. He looked at the festive lights decorated around the gate, blinking in rhythm.



A confused security guard inched closer to Mr Lugun till it was clear what had caught Mr Lugun’s attention.



Mr Lugun noticed the presence of the security guard who by this time had also started staring at the lights trying to find the element of interest.



“The light decorator, is he done with putting up the lights?” Mr Lugun asked



“He was supposed to be done today. He has put up lights on the apartment buildings and he has also completed the park. However, there was some change of plans regarding the lights to be put up on the boundary walls, so he will come back day after tomorrow,” replied the security guard



“Less than a week is remaining,” said Mr Lugun, more concerned about the fact that he hadn’t found the time to buy and put up lights in his own house despite his wife’s constant reminder to do so. He was supposed to buy some lights from the market today, but his weary eyes and mind were not very supportive of this extra bit of hard work after office.



“So, does the light decorator put up lights in home as well?” asked Mr Lugun



“Yes, he does,” said the security guard, “some of the people here have asked him to do it. I can give you his number.”



Mr Lugun took the light decorator’s number and walked home thinking of an excuse for not getting the lights.



Mrs Lugun attended the door and Mr Lugun stepped in with a face which was definitely tired but not as much as could be seen at that moment.



Mr Lugun noticed some boxes on the table and on a closer look he found out that they were lights and his wife had probably bought them.



Mr Lugun turned to his wife and said, “So, I don’t have to go out to buy lights anymore?”



Mrs Lugun looked at Mr Lugun and said, “No, I had complete faith that you would forget to buy them and so after work I went and got them.”



“Okay, fine. I have got the number of the light decorator,” said Mr Lugun



“I have asked him to come and put up the lights day after tomorrow,” said Mrs Lugun



“All right, anything else then? Don’t say later that I don’t do anything around here”



“No, there is nothing else. Why don’t you freshen up, sit down and watch the television. Meanwhile, I prepare dinner,” said Mrs Lugun in a tone which was of serious shade but with a certain edge to it.



“Charvi.. is there something wrong?” asked Mr Lugun now a little concerned



Mrs Lugun looked at her husband and decided to speak nothing and go to the next room.



“Charvi, wait, if something is bothering you, then please say it,” said Mr Lugun



Mrs Lugun stopped her steps and said, “Why?… Each and every time.. why is it my responsibility only to look after everything in the household…?”



“Every time? I also take care of the house,” said Mr Lugun



“Only when I remind you to do it again and again. I also work professionally yet somehow household responsibilities have fallen on my side of concern,” said Mrs Lugun



“You did not have any problems before, why the sudden outburst? Is it an age thing?” Mr Lugun spoke trying to add a hint of humour if there was any scope



“Yes, it is an age thing but not in the way you think it is. It is about time that you do your share of work too,” Mrs Lugun said and left.



That’s when Mr Lugun realised that perhaps the tiredness he felt at the end of the day nowadays wasn’t something he was experiencing alone. It was what he knew would eventually come.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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