Contentment ***

Akila looked at the couple out of the corner of her eyes. The man was slim, tall and hunky. He couldn’t be much younger than Bharath. Why couldn’t Bharath maintain his figure? He just ate too much. And lazed around too much too. Akila was wistful, as she watched the man move gracefully. And his wife, she was such a slob. Short and disgusting – she sniffled all the time, and her laugh, so obnoxious. God, what did he see in her?

As she turned, she saw Jeevan. In his early forties, Jeevan was tall and distinguished looking. He dressed well, with a sophisticated air about him. An intellectual man if there ever was one. He was speaking of the economic crisis and his take of what the world should do about it. A group of men were listening intently. He was well read, and strongly opinionated in most subjects. He could hold a conversation on practically any topic. Akila thought for a moment of Bharath. All he could converse about was his office politics. And the Tamil movies. And that too only when he was not complaining about something about the home, or the kids. And Jeevan’s wife? An alcoholic wreck. In fact she was permanently parked at the bar already.

“Hi, Akila,” it was Haran. Haran was an artist. In fact he had just presented Bharath with one of his landscapes. A stunning piece of a glorious sunset, over a shimmering ocean. Akila had been mesmerised by the picture.

“Hi, Haran, I can’t thank you enough…” she started. He put up his palm.

“Listen, enough about that. Let talk about something else.” What a talented man. He painted effortlessly, and people lined up to commission him for a piece of his work.

Akila looked around. So many men. Handsome, accomplished, intelligent, talented, successful, interesting…. And she had landed Bharath. A paunchy, dull and boring man who never had anything interesting to say. Life was unfair. Surely she deserved better?

“What’s the matter dear? Life is unfair?” It was Bharath. He smiled at her.

How did he know? Akila always marveled at Bharath’s sharp intuition. Could he read her mind by any chance? She looked at him intensely.

“Come on Akila. Just be yourself. God has made you a wonderful woman. Hardworking, practical and a wonderful wife and mother. Your friends, associates and your employees think you are great. God knows what you should be, and what you need. Just accept it, and enjoy being you. And Akila, you have me, a wonderful husband. I love you the way you are. What we have now is the best for us. One who can never be satisfied is poor, no matter how much one owns.”

Akila was taken aback by his words. She thought for a moment. Then she hugged Bharath. “Yes, I have you. What more can I ask?”