Enakshi shares the woes of lockdown and gives a glimpse of the banter between her husband and her. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Lockdown times are tough times for women. Their ‘me time’ goes for a toss and the constant badgering by the family members can drive them up the wall. A frown of frustration is a common feature. Things go out of control when there are children in the house. All hell breaks loose and putting out the invisible fire seems like an impossible task. Right from cooking, dusting and cleaning to ensuring that clothes are washed and ironed and the supplies are full — each task is so meticulously done by women that other family members assume it to be right if some (read most) things are left out from their ‘area of responsibilities’.

Lockdown times are tough times for women. Their ‘me time’ goes for a toss and the constant badgering by the family members can drive them up the wall. A frown of frustration is a common feature. Things go out of control when there are children in the house. All hell breaks loose and putting out the invisible fire seems like an impossible task.

It was a Saturday morning and like any other normal individual, I too had planned a self-grooming session for myself, which would comprise of bleach, face scrub and a facial. This would be followed by a pedicure and a long afternoon sleep so that I can kiss the stress goodbye. Only if all the wishes come true!

I woke up at 9 in the morning, finished my morning ablutions and then began my exercise routine. Tired and sweaty, I went outside to bring my bathing towel and just then I heard my husband say something in gibberish. He spoke with the toothbrush in his mouth.

‘What are you saying?’ I yelled.

Thankfully, he didn’t answer and chose to finish brushing his teeth. I resumed my work of watering the plants and at that moment I realised that the small bush had to be trimmed. As I went inside to bring the scissors, my husband said, ‘Please get my towel also. I am going for a bath.’

Up in the arms, I pulled his arm and rebuked him because he very well knew that it was my turn to go in first. As a response, he said, ‘Why don’t you make breakfast till then? After that, you can have a relaxing bath!’

Fuming with anger, I pushed him aside and in I went into the bathroom. How I had to convince him to bring my towel is a story for another day. The grooming session seemed like a far cry because it was already 11 and the bald eggs were waiting for me to fry them!

Fuming with anger, I pushed him aside and in I went into the bathroom. How I had to convince him to bring my towel is a story for another day. The grooming session seemed like a far cry because it was already 11 and the bald eggs were waiting for me to fry them! Happy that one meal of the day was over, I began collecting the essentials like cream, bleach and scrub. Just then, out of the blue, my husband called me again.

‘Do you want to have iced tea?’ he asked.

Glad that he had taken the initiative, I nodded in affirmation.

‘Just make sure you only add one teaspoon of tea leaves,’ he dared.

‘God has gifted you strong hands, isn’t it? Then why not make use of them!’ I shot back.

‘Come on, I don’t know how to make it.’

‘Nor do I. Why not try it for the first time?’

‘No. It’s Saturday. I will help you make lunch, promise!’

‘And how much time do I have before I start preparing the second meal?’

‘Maybe an hour or so!’

This blew the fuse. I had just finished making breakfast now my husband was already preparing his stomach for another meal. The thought of going into the kitchen pissed me off.

This blew the fuse. I had just finished making breakfast now my husband was already preparing his stomach for another meal. The thought of going into the kitchen pissed me off.

‘Okay, listen. Why don’t you make something light for lunch? It will save you the extra effort!’

‘Kindly define light,’ I queried.

‘Like Khichdi with a tadka,’ suggested my “king”.

‘If it is that light and easy, why don’t you make it?’

‘Why do you have to do this? I don’t know how to cook.’

It is a pity that society has fed this notion in the minds of men that they cannot cook. On the contrary, if I, on a fateful day, decide to announce that I cannot prepare food because I don’t like it, people will start behaving like a bear with a sore head.

This banter went on for another ten minutes and it would not take rocket science to guess who ended up making lunch. It is a pity that society has fed this notion in the minds of men that they cannot cook. On the contrary, if I, on a fateful day, decide to announce that I cannot prepare food because I don’t like it, people will start behaving like a bear with a sore head. These people should realise how burdensome it is to cook when one doesn’t enjoy the task. My sympathy goes out to the women who have children. That day, I couldn’t squeeze in the self-grooming session into my routine. I have planned it for next Saturday though hoping that when my husband asks me what’s cooking, I can end the conversation by say- my brain!

(PS: He should not end up saying that I am speaking gibberish!)

Photo from the Internet