Responsibility

--Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

‘From next month you’ve to pay two thousand rupees!’ After listening to this demand of his mother, Sukumar got angry. ‘Two thousand! What for?’

‘Now your wife has come. When you’re alone, what you gave was enough. Now after the coming of your wife, you give the same amount. How is it possible to manage the home?’ Mother talked to him frankly.

‘I cannot give more than that!’

‘Then take your wife and go away. I cannot run this home!’

Sukumar pounded the ground violently with his foot and went away.

Akila came and she could not remain without asking her mother-in-law.

‘Mummy! I didn’t speak a word against you! I didn’t do a thing against your will! I cannot keep quiet when a problem rises in this family.’

‘Don’t misunderstand me, Akila! When I want to send you away, there is a reason for it. Every month he gives me one thousand rupee. And his salary is one thousand five hundred. I thought after marriage he’d stop his wasteful expenditure. But there is no change in his habit. He’ll change only where there are responsibilities on him. It is just a shock-treatment! Don’t worry. Every thing will be all right!’

When her mother-in-law said this with a smile, Akila was surprised!