The husband and wife had copies of the divorce papers in their hands. Both were silent, both calm, both expressionless. The case had gone on for two years. In the end, what everyone wanted was going to happen  divorce. It was just a coincidence that the relatives of both sides sat at the same tea stall and had cold drinks. It was also just a coincidence that the divorced husband and wife sat opposite each other at the same Wooden bench and both of them were sitting face to face. Congratulations, what you wanted has happened, said the woman. “Congratulations to you too, you have also achieved victory by giving divorce, said the man. “Is divorce a symbol of victory????” asked the woman. “You tell me?”

The woman did not answer the man’s question. She kept sitting quietly, then said, “You called me characterless, right? It is good that you are now free from this characterless woman. It was my mistake, I should not have done this’ the man said. I have suffered a lot of mental stress”, the woman’s voice was flat, neither sad, nor angry. I know that a man attacks a woman with this weapon, which bleeds the woman’s mind and soul, you are a very character full person. I should not have said such dirty things about you. I am very sorry, said the man. The woman kept quiet, she looked at the man once. After remaining silent for a few moments, the man took a deep breath and said, you also called me a greedy person for dowry. You were wrong, said the woman looking at the man. She remained quiet for some time, then said, I would have made some other allegation but I did not want to.

Tea arrived in a plastic cup. The woman picked up the tea, a little tea spilled. The hot tea fell on the woman’s hand. A painful sound came out. The man’s throat made an ‘Oh’ sound at that very moment. The woman looked at the man. The man kept looking at the woman. “How is your back pain? It is like this, sometimes Vovron, sometimes Combiflam,” the woman tried to end the conversation. “You don’t even exercise.” The man said this and the woman laughed faintly. “What is the condition of your asthma? Are you having an attack again????” the woman asked. Asthma? Doctor Suri has asked me to reduce mental stress, the man informed. The woman looked at the man and kept staring. As if she was reading the tension  on the man’s face.

You keep taking the inhaler, don’t you?” the woman took her eyes off the man’s face and asked.Yes, I keep taking it. I forgot to bring it today, the man said.That is why your breathing seems short-lived today, the woman said in a sympathetic tone.Yes, partly because of this and partly… the man stopped while saying. Something?… partly because of stress,” the woman completed the sentence. The man kept thinking, then said, “You have to pay four lakh rupees and six thousand rupees per month also. Yes… then?” the woman asked. The price of your flat would be twenty lakh rupees??? I only need four lakh rupees, the woman clarified.

When the daughter grows up, there will be expenses, the man said. You will keep giving me six thousand rupees a month, the woman said. “Yes, I will definitely give it. If you don’t have four lakhs, then don’t give it to me,” the woman said. There was dust of old relations in her voice. The man kept looking at her face. How kind and beautiful was the woman sitting in front of him, who used to be his wife. The woman was looking at the man and thinking, “What a simple nature this man has, who used to be her husband. He loved her so much. Once in Haridwar, when she was taking a bath in the Ganga, the chain slipped from her hand. Then like a madman he came to save her. He himself did not know how to swim and he kept trying to save me, he is so good… I kept finding faults in him.

The man was staring at the woman and thinking, “She took so much care of him, she would boil water for steam and put it in a jug. She would always buy an inhaler for him. Seretide Accuhaler was very expensive. Every month she would be frugal, save money and buy an Accuhaler. Who cares about others’ illness? But she did care, never let it become public. She had so much compassion. I was intoxicated with my manhood. I wish I could understand her passion.”

Both were silent, very silent. Free from the sounds of the world, silent. Both kept looking at each other with moist eyes. “I want to tell you something,” there was hesitation in the voice. Say it,” the woman looked at him with moist eyes. “I am afraid,” said the man. “Don’t be afraid. It is possible that what you are saying is what I am thinking,” said the woman. “I have been missing you a lot,” said the man. “You too,” said the woman. I still love you. “Me too.” Said the woman. The eyes of both had become more moist. Both their voices were emotional and their faces were innocent. “Can’t we both give a new turn to our lives?” asked the man. “Which turn? We should start living together again, together… as husband and wife. As very good friends. This paper?  The woman asked. “Should I tear it?” the man said and tore the divorce papers with his own hands. The woman did the same. Both stood up. They smiled holding each other’s hands. Relatives of both sides were shocked and confused. Both husband and wife walked towards the house holding hands. The house which belonged only to the husband and wife. Love and quarrel between husband and wife are two sides of the same coin. Don’t take any decision on a small matter that you have to regret for your entire life.

No person in this world is perfect. Even God has been found flawless by humans. If you have any complaint with your partner then sit down and solve it. There is no problem in the world which has no solution.