SPENTING

             Today morning as I woke I had a strange Idea. Yesterday being the last working day of the month my salary had been credited to my account.To my surprise I found a six digit figure as my balance . I guessed that some bonus and some shift allowance was added to my regular salary and so it showed that big amount. I was quite pleased with myself añd decided  to maintain the balance atleast for a day. You all are familiar with the concept of fasting.  Most people fast on auspicious days.  They spend the whole day on fruits and milk.  They don't eat cooked food till they complete their fasting. I thought why not we do 'spent' ing.  that is not to spend even a single rupee the whole day. "Spent_ing " a nice word  coined by me. I smiled at myself at this strange word.
          I decided that I should not take a single rupee from my pocket whatever the reason be. I knew it was little difficult to keep this but I thought I would be strong enough to try not to spend a penny . As I was thinking on these lines my wife came to me and asked me the reason for my absentmindedness. I narrated the whole issue and showed her the balance with joy. She teased me and said that the balance wouldn't be there even for twenty four hours as we had lots of debts and loans to be paid the following day. But I told her strongly that I wouldn't spend a pie not only the following day but also for another day or two.Let all debts and loans wait for a couple of days to be cleared
         After I decided my resolution for today I  started my daily chores. As I was doing my daily practice of yoga my son fifteen years old came to me and said , "papa give me two hundred rupees. I have to buy a  gift for my friend as today is his birthday"        I said hurriedly you don't have to give such a costly gift. Instead you can take a plant from our balcony and gift it. It looks innovative and nature loving. "Papa. You don't know anything. My friend will think that I am mean. Please  papa give me money I have to go and buy a gift "  Bhaiya get me a good set of bangles and earings which match the dress I am going to wear for the party." said my daughter coming out from the bedroom. I was wondering how to overcome the situation. My wife smiled and came to my rescue. Your Papa is not going to spend money today. So take the money you need from your kiddy bank and later I will give you." "But all that is also my money. We should not spend that also. "I said little gloomy. "See if we want to fast we should alone fast . We should not force others with our ideas "my wife said. rather irritated." Let them spend their savings." she said and her words were final.
           After that my morning went very peacefully and by tea time the problem reappeared. As. I was having tea my servant maid came and asked for salary. "We usually give you money on 5 or 6 of the month . Why are asking for it today." I groaned. "Sir. Iam going to my home town to attend a marriage. I need money for my expenses."she said. "Never mind you come tomorrow. I will arrange for it. Today I can't help you". I said. "But sir   I am leaving tomorrow early morning. Please give me today." She said almost pleading.  I looked helpless at my wife who was watching us. Again she had a ready made answer for this problem.   "Leela come at six in the evening I will give you money. She said añd sent her. I looked questioningly at her. She understood my thoughts and said "  Our tenant told that he will give me the rent at five. so I told our maid to come at six."  I breathed happily on hearing this. Atleast I need not spend money from my pocket.
              At 8 inthe night I faced the same problem for the third time. My father rang up and said that he along with my mother and sister were waiting in the railway station . They couldn't find an auto and hence asked me to bring them home.  My wife said " book a cab and they willcome safely. But I refused, saying "   ' It is matter of  just one hour and the distance is barely fifteen kiometers. The cab will charge atleast five hundred rupees. I will go in my vehicle and bring them home. You get the dinner ready by the timewe return." So saying I started for the railway station. The __'after that story I hate to tell  but I have to reveal the sad part that traffic police stopped me at a signal and charged me with a fine of Two thousand for not wearing seat belt and over speed. Not only that there were previous challans that I had not paid for the past six months such crossing the red signal, goingin prohibited one way....  all amonting to a  total of almost five thousand. The police seized my keys and said that they would return only after clearing all the fines.!! Soo sad .That was the end of my "spenting"😥

Adjustment

    .                                ADJUSTMENT

   "   What is this? You know that I dont like milk bread. Yet you have made sandwich out of it as breakfast. ". grumbled  Rajan.
  "Sorry dear . There is no brown bread in our grocery shop. Please adjust for today". said Madhu gently. There was no option. Her voice though gentle was determined. This was one thing with Madhu. She did things in her own way not bothered about others. . She could have easily got brown bread from another grocery shop if she wanted. But instead she went for milk bread. It was her nature. She did what she determined....
.   Rajan half heartedly completed his breakfast and got ready for his office.   "Madhu   Madhu..... What is this ? The shirt you have kept  here doesnt have a button . Give me another Its getting late."
"  Dont worry dear I willget it switched in a second. "
" There isnt enough time. I have to rush. "said Rajan.
"See dear. I will stich it in no time.  No other shirt is ready to wear now. Three of them have gone for washing and two for ironing.
     Rajan knew that  he had many more but she had decided and it was final.His daughter eighteen years old was watching him with sparkling eyes .She was curious to know who would win in such fights though she was very definite about the answer. He did not argue anymore but left for his work.
            It was eight in the night. Rajan was sitting in the balcony looking at the sky. The moon seemed to be  full with  brightness and the night pleasant and peaceful. "Papa. Here is your pre dinner soup. "Siri. Rajan's. daughter came upstairs to give him the soup . "What ..your mother has given me loki soup. She knows that I hate it. Rajan said groaningly. "Papa  you cannot do anything. You are. helpless before mummy.  Why are you afraid of her? ."Siri smiled teasingly.  Rajan smiled at her and sat in the chair. He started drinking it. "Papa  you pour it in the plant if you dont like it . Mama is not going to be know. ". Rajan looked at her  and said No Siri. I wil have it. "But Papa why should you take it when  you dont like it. ""Because it is good for my heart. You know that I had  two stunts placed in my heart. This soup prevents further blocks. It is for my good that she forces such things on me. She is always worried about me. See Siri medicines are bitter. But a mother gives them to her child if he is unwell. It doesnot mean that she  hates them. You know Siri  ours is love marriage. Your grand parents were against me. She left all her relations ,wealth  and her luxurious life for me. I had nothing then. Not even a decent job. She adjusted herself to my atmosphere. When you were born nobody came to her help. I was busy earning money. She adjusted in raising you.  When I was financially  broken she helped me with her savings and jewels.  You should know that your mother is very patient. She takes care of every single matter of me. I love her so much that I donot mind her restrictions. I am ready to adjust. Ofcourse sometimes I go crazy and fight with her. But she nevers gives back. She does things that are good for me confidently without comprimising. Siri you should know that. adjustment is the best medicine for any problem in couple's life" Rajan  completed his soup and started downstairs.