Chapter 16 : Equality

I asked Rahul to work on eco friendly plastic as he is a chemical engeneer.I asked him to modify it so that it would become affordable to everyone so that noone uses plastic.Rahul said "it is not that easy.It takes lot of time.No problem,if you are with me I will surely succeed not immediately but definitely." He smiled saying this.

I was very curious to know what are the other reasons for the contamination of this earth.I asked Rahul to explain about this.He is educated, smart,enthusiastic and above all this he explains me very patiently for every single question.But I take a lot of time to understand those complicated words.Hear (in 1990) especially in India girls are prefered to learn household things instead of education.But my grandpa is very advanced,he always promotes me to educate myself.I was able ti complete my schooling education only because of my grandpa.I was curious to know many more things.I was about ask something Diya entered the room calling both of us to have some dinner.It was raining heavily.

We both went and washed our hands.Hear is an old tradition that wife should eat only after his husband completes his meal.I started to serve Rahul.Diya was serving Radha.Diya cooked Rice and Sambar with delicious coconut chutney.Rahul asked me to sit along with him to eat.Diya explained the tradition by saying "she is your wife....she should walk behind you in your footprints but not along with you...you have your dinner....after that we will have it".He looked at me with a questioning expression on his face.I nodded my head concluding him that the words of Diya are true.Rahul said with a smile " She is my wife.... my life partner,which means a partner who will stay with me in every situation of my life.We promised eachother that we will face everything togeather.She will not walk behind me in my footsteps but instead she will walk along with me supporting eachother.Men and women are married as equals but not as superiors and inferiors" Saying this he started to feed me with his hand.I smiled at him.Now how can I explain an advanced person from 20th century about the tradition of 90s.He asked me to have it.I was a little shy as Radha and Diya were looking at me.I had it.Rahul asked me to have my meal in his plate saying "lets eat togeather...!!" He kept his plate of banana leaf farward so that we both can have it.Rahul advised Radha to do the same with his eyes.Radha and Diya started to follow us.We all enjoyed the dinner.After having our dinner Rahul and Radha were discussing about farming and pestisides.Diya was stading in veranda alone.I went to her to have some conversation.She turned and embraced me saying "thank you very much Hazel.Thank you....." I was a bit confused.I asked her the reason for thanking me.She was looking overwhelmed.She explained me saying "after our marriage this is the first time I had a meal along with my husband.Being the only girl in my family my parents loved me very much.I was given the highest preference.They also thought me traditions and values.I was always used to sit with my brothers and enjoyed my meal with everybody.But after marriage according to the tradition I started to eat alone after Radha completes his meal.I always wanted to have a meal with him.And you made this possible today". I looked into her eyes.They were shining with joy.I said with a smile " you should thank Rahul for this.....he made your day..!"Diya smiled and said "Yes.....I am doing the same.I am thanking the better half of Rahul.....sorry the best half of Rahul." She smiled and went inside the room.I was very happy with Diya's words.

I went inside my room.Rahul came after a few minutes and sat beside me.He was staring into my eyes with a little smile on his face.I asked him the reason for that notorious smile.He answered me saying "you look very happy...actually you are blushing.....what is the reason madam". I smiled with shy and said in a low voice " you are the reason...."He became a little curious and asked "really.....in that case explain me what made you happy". I told him about my conversation with Diya.I said " she was feeling very happy.She embraced me and thanked me.Then i told her to thank Rahul.....she said that she is thanking me because I am your best half..."Rahul smiled and said "oh....that is the reason you are blushing."

He was deeply thinking about something.I looked at him and raised my eyebrows to enquire about his thoughts.He nodded his head saying nothing and embraced me.We laid on the bed.His warm embrace in the cold night with heavy rain dragged me into deep sleep.

When I woke up in the middle of the night due to the sounds of thunder,I was lying on Rahul.He took me closure and started to run his fingers through my hair to comfort me.I fell asleep within seconds.When I woke up in the morning I cant find Rahul in my room.I went out in search of him.Diya was putting rangoli muggulu in verand.I helped by filling colours in it.I asked Diya about Rahul.She answered "ohh....I forgot to tell you.Rahul told me to inform that he is going to the river bank.He will return within an hour." I thought that he went for fishing.But after some time a car passed.During those days cars are very rare,only few governament employees of high cadder and rich industrialist used these to show up their royality.I was thinking about it.I helped Diya in preparing bteakfast.She prepared dosha,a dish of south made of black gram roasted in ghee.Rahul retuned home.I ran to him to enquire about the car.He was a little upset.I can clearly see this in his face.So I decide to ask him after having breakfast.Diya called us to have dosha along with Radha but Rahul said that he is not feeling hungry.Saying this he walked into the garden.I went behind him after informing Diya that we will have our breakfast after a while.