Me my wife and ‘HIM’

A story by PRANAY TIWARI.

I’LL be straight. At 5.30 pm today someone was killed by my hands. The worst part is the thought does not weigh heavily upon my mind. Now as I am confined in this ‘jail’( well my wife calls it a net or a web) I ponder over the life that was lost today and if I could have acted otherwise. The only thing I have to say in my defense is that I did this because I cared for my wife and loved her.

I saw him two days ago. I had finished my work early. When I returned I found the main door ajar. Surprised, I walked upstairs to my room . the door was half open . As I approached it I saw my wife sleeping with him or rather he was ‘onto’ her if I can be exact. Her eyes were closed and he was moving all over her. Was she enjoying the feeling? His ‘touch’, was it better than mine? Blood boiled within me and I pushed the door open. He saw me and quickly jumped out of the window.’ Flew ‘ would have been a more apt expression. He was quick I can tell you that. The window was on the first floor and hence I decided not to jump. ‘ Broken bones ‘ was not the medical ground I was looking to stay away from work. Helplessly I saw his outline disappear in the dusk. My wife woke up startled.

“ What! Oh you. How come you are home so early?”

I did not answer her.

“Why was the main door open?” I asked , the anger in my voice palpable.

“ Was it? Maybe Sakubai went to the market.” she replied , doubtfully.

She was uncertain , of that I was certain.

The next day I did not go to work. I wanted to find HIM. So on the pretext of cleaning the backyard I stayed . All day I looked around but I guess he was on the alert too. Moreover my wife was running around all day helping Sakubai clean the garage and that probably kept him away too.

Today I left the office and arrived at 5.15 pm . Sakubai opened the door.

“ Where is she? “ I asked .

“ Upstairs” Sakubai replied and then she looked at me quizzically .” Memsaab said you would come at 9.00”

I did not like the way she talked with me.

“ Do I have to ask you when to return home.” I barked.

I tiptoed my way to my room . The door was closed .But I could hear a man’s soft voice. “Tell me you don’t love me. Tell me you don’t have feelings for me .”

I slowly pushed the door taking care not to make any noise. And as expected he was onto her again. My anger knew no bounds. His lips were touching her elbow.

I guess he did not notice me. As I walked slowly towards him I thought for a second. I looked around . Nothing . I would have to do it with my hands .But I had to do it quickly . The window was open , and I feared that if he got a sense of my presence he would run away.

Slowly I approached him. My wife’s back was facing me. She was about to turn. It had to be done this very moment. Spat. It was over in a second. He did not move. There was blood all over her elbow and she just stood there startled.

“ What have you done?” she asked.

I pointed my finger towards the dead body and she realized.

“ You are a savage you know that , a savage “ and then she hugged me. On the wide LCD tv a movie was playing. A man was sleeping with a woman and consoling him ,it was the same soft voice I had heard earli er “We have done nothing wrong . We love each other.” And then he made love to her again. These movies I tell you , so predictable.

As I prepare to sleep , I look around with discomfort. I just cannot get used to this jail. Then my wife joins me and says.,” I know you don’t like it but we have to use a mosquito net.”

Then she adds “ And please , the next time you see a mosquito on me , please tell me. Don’t kill him and startle me like that.”

Saying that she kissed me.

We have lived happily ever after…and yes I have never killed a mosquito since, too much blood shed .