Maya: An Incomplete Story

The house was not small by any standards, but to Maya, it seemed cramped, almost tiny. Well, after having lived in palatial bungalows, the 1000 sq ft flat would seem small. But, for many, it would be a dream home. Some would cough up their life savings for such a house. But, not Maya. She hated the house from the day she stepped in.

In fact she was not clear if she hated the house more or her cramped room more. Or was it a combination of factors that affected her deep dislike. She had never bothered to think more about it. She didnt care much either.

There were other issues that fanned her hatred for the house. Maya was a woman who had grown up in sheer luxury and had no inkling what the future had in store. A small house with medium luxuries and an old couple for company, Maya felt lonely and hopeless on her first day in the house. It was a dreary feeling.

After a Few Years

Maya thought she heard a ring. Yes, the bloody telephone was shrieking like hell. Wonder, who had died today, she thought, with disgust. Of late, whenever the telephone rang, someone gave news of death. The house, stank of death and news of death. Maya was completely disgusted.

By the time she raised herself from the confines of her low-slung bed, the telephone stopped shrieking. As if it were mocking her, challenging her to catch it before it stopped ringing. Maya let it win. everybody won, nowadays, even a telephone. What a life, she thought, and let out a long sigh.

After ruminating some more on her non-happening life, she turned towards the bed side clock to check the time. Damn! 7:00 already. What happened to long nights? She turned to poke the sleeping figure next to her on the bed. It didnt even stir. She let her husband be and woke up. Abhay was a CEO of a company and worked like a madman. A workaholic herself, Maya was a perfectionist too.

After flying through the day's chores, Maya zipped through the cities crowded streets and parked her scooty next to the green BMW, she ogled at everyday. It was her Boss' car and she loved it as her own. Well, not really, she wanted to take it for a ride, thats all. She loved cars and wanted to buy one very soon. She was waiting for a loan to get approved. She would then have her own set of wheels. Wow! Wasn't that fantastic?

The mere thought gave her a thrill. Before she could get drawn into a flashback-type whirlpool, she controlled her urge and stopped herself. Instead she made her way to the office. She worked as a Creative Lead in a very very young sounding and looking ad agency. They called themselves 'The Bookies'.  

At home, Maya was a very different person. She put on the garbs of a typical Bahu, the type her in-laws expected her to be and behave exactly the way they wanted her to. It was a ruse and it worked. Each time. Till date, atleast. Now, of late, Maya had to handle larger accounts and she had to work very hard. But this was affecting her energy levels when she returned home. She wanted to find a solution to this. She reminded herself to make a note of it.