Her hair was frizzy, lavender colour made her look paler and dark circles did add the extra (charisma) albeit!
The everyday routine followed.
Kitchen rush and the morning traffic woes, Anupama reached office. A cursory look at everyone around her, she felt little awkward for her dowdy clothes and tired looks. But then a thought “who cared” past her mind and a feeble smile appeared on her face.
Yes! Who cared! Who would have missed to see the kohl in her eyes! She was not important, and nobody cared.
In her late 30s, though her decade long marriage was not in doldrums but had hit the boredom rut. Anupama and Akash were slowly falling apart but only she could feel the fissures in their relationship. Akash, on the other hand, was too busy in his professional commitments and aspirations to realize the relationship cracks.
Everything in their life felt right from the periphery or atleast Akash thought so but Anupama felt differently. Her eyes yearned for affection and attention; she wanted Akash to respect her feelings and make her feel loved. But for Akash, it was Anupama who had unrealistic expectations and was living in the shadow world. He did not want to take the extra “burden” of doing something to make her feel nice for he was the good husband who never asked his wife to stop working nor asked her to cook food. All he wanted was her meek acceptance of his thoughts, what else he asked for!
Today was a different day! It was her 40th birthday.
Early morning walk followed by a sumptuous breakfast; she was trying to do everything right. She wanted to be ready for the extra marital affair. It needed courage, and she was getting herself ready for the challenge.
Looking through the closet, she chose the yellow dress for that made her look bright and chirpy. Red glint on her lips and she looked resplendent!
Akash also could not miss her charm today and complemented her, but did she care!
She was no longer craving for his attention for she had herself who cared for her and who wanted her to be the best. She had no qualms now to have the extra marital affair with herself! Now she was ready to put herself first and fulfil her desires.
Self-care and Self-love is what she had learnt.