“My parents and I, all of us stay in the same city, Gurgaon. My parents house is just a few kilometers from my house. I used to visit my parents frequently and take care of them since they are old and I am their only child. But ever since COVID, I have had to be very careful since my father is an asthamatic and my mother a BP patient. I isolate myself and my family totally for 14 days before going to meet them since I did not want to be a carrier of infection to their house.

And this is how I have been passing time. Every time I have to go and visit them, I first isolate myself for 15 days and then go for a day just to hand them over some essential groceries or help them with cleaning. How frustrating it is that I can’t even go to visit my parents and help them inspite of knowing they are right there.

The condominium I live in started to get many COVID cases. I was scared not only for myself and my children, but also worried about my parents managing all alone in this heat and pandemic. I discussed with my husband that I will go and live with them for a few days--2 weeks to be precise, in which I will stock their house for another two months, and even do as much cleaning as possible. It will be a break for me and also will keep our children safer. My parents live in an independent house with a patch of lawn so atleast the children will also get a chance to step outdoors as compared to my society. He agreed initially and we packed our bags.

I had ensured I had made all arrangements for my husband. I had hired a live-in help so that he is not worried about his food and take care. 

We, my kids and me, were having a good time at my parents and I was busy helping my mom cook and put things in the freezer; stock her supplies; arrange things for her etc.But within a few days my husband started to call me back. His reason was that it wasn’t convenient for him?

Convenience? That’s all he cared about? And that too for 14 days. The househelp was there but apparently he didn’t like the tea she made or the way she cooked? How entitled of him, I wondered! Can’t he manage for a few days...I will in any case be back within 15 days.

He fails to see how it is beneficial for all of us--our children get to stay outdoors, I get a break from routine, and I am able to help my parents.

But all he cares about is his convenience, tea and rotis? And that for just another 10 days to go.

How selfish can he be? I have given him my life, my energy and he demands me to come back immediately after 4 days itself.

I am so frustrated, hurt and angry at him. I wonder if this is how marriages are supposed to be. What happened to all the ideas of adjusting, compromising and respecting each other’s wishes? I think they sound good only in books and stories.

In real life, I had to cut short my trip and go back so that he could have his tea the way he wanted, and his rotis softer.