Being ordinary is no less.....

Nishi was reluctant to go to the party; but still she dressed up, got the children ready just because she was slightly convinced with what Vineet, her husband said, “ Now when your mood is upset, you must come to the party otherwise you will sulk at home, once we three have left”

Vineet had smiled while stressing the words “we three” .

Vineet, easy going and a family man always made sure that family went out together be it shopping,partying or visiting friends. Nishi was more into career making and she got complete support from her family as a result she was doing very well. Vineet had taken the charge of the kids and was quite satisfied the way his career graph was going. It was Nishi who would encourage Vineet to pay extra attention towards his career as Nishi knew he had potential but held back himself as he did not want to disturb the stability of the family.

Nishi had a big fight when last month, Vineet refused to go to US for one year project. Nishi was shocked.

“What stuff you are made up of ? You never want to go ahead in the life? Why ?” She almost yelled at Vineet. “Look at your colleague, Nitin ,who immediately grabbed this opportunity and leaving next month and....”

“....And leaving his wife behind who is to deliver next month.” Vineet interrupted and tried to defend himself.

“...What Nonsense, his wife must be the happiest person on the earth and must be packing for him by now” Nishi ridiculed him.

“....but your wife is capable of staying alone and looking after kids while you are gone.” , Nishi tried to convince him, hoping if anything could change his mind. Her tone had mellowed down.

Vineet said calmly, “Look Nishi, One year is a very long time. You have long working hours and you certainly can not take a break from your job nor can you shift to part time at this point of your career. And our kids are young, they can not be left with Aayah for longer period.”

But Nishi kept sulking.

Vineet was his usual cool, as he knew that Nishi is a very good person at heart, very hard working,brilliant and loved her family but she was bitten by the “Ambition” bug and wanted to excel in every aspect of life and in that bargain was losing out on present happiness.

It was she who insisted to put children in the best but expensive school, joined the elite club for social activities for which she hardly ever got the time. Her children were average performers in academics and that upset her even more.

She would control her temper before kids but later would discuss their report cards with Vineet showing her disappointment.

Today again it was a similar day. Kids had brought report card home.

“Oh my God! Why not for once they can get higher grades on their report card. They are so average performers. Vineet, what will they be when they grow up? An average grownup with an average career? I wish they had some inborn inclination towards sports or some striking quality so they can stand out in the crowd. I would have encouraged them so much .”

Vineet understood, whom she was thinking about. It was her cousin's daughter who had shown a strong liking towards sport and now her parents were taking her all over India for school level competitions and she would make them proud winning first or second position.

She sulked “I have a husband who is simply not interested in moving ahead from where he is and kids are also not excelling in the exams where as I was a rank holder through out. There should be a reason to be happy.”

Vineet always tried to reason out with her that not everybody is same and not to get disappointed as kids will definitely do better as they grow; not everybody shines in the childhood.

He could not blame her completely though as Nishi came from a family of achievers and go getters.

She could not imagine that there could be other aspects of life too. Daughter of a successful businessman father and a renowned doctor mother, she grew up among relatives as IAS officers, Defence officers and well placed NRI's. (Years before the software boom)

Vineet had met her in a seminar and she was floored by his intelligence, his MS degree from the US and still down to earth attitude and simplicity. Even after marriage it was his ability to smile even in crisis and handle the situation calmly that had kept her away from the worries She never saw him losing his temper. Vineet's father had retired as the principal of a science college and mother was a teacher. So simplicity was the character of the family.

So there she was, sitting in the car which she had started hating now as she expected the length of the car to change with the number of years in the job. She turned behind to check if the kids were well seated before she put her seat belt.

It was after months, she was attending some party. This was their friends' wedding anniversary party so she got to see many new faces. Nishi could not remove her eyes from a strikingly beautiful lady who was smartly dressed and her face was beaming with happiness and radiating some kind of positive energy.  Nishi was curious to know about her and smiled at her.The lady smiled back and approached towards Nishi.

“Hi, I am Nupur. Childhood friend of our hostess.”

“Oh Hi!, I am Nishi. Well, I am office friend of our hostess !” Nishi reciprocated in the same manner.

“Great! So you meet her on the daily basis. It is so great to have friends around. Isn't it?” said Nupur.

Nishi could not comprehend her level of excitement but remained interested in conversation with her. Nupur had majored in Finance and worked in some internationl bank for few years and now worked with some NGO.

“Why this sudden shift?” Nishi asked.

“Well, I have some very special reason rather inspiration. Drop in for coffee, sometime. Now is the time for music. Let's enjoy the party.” Nupur smiled and pulled her to another group of friends.

Later Nishi learned that Nupur's daughter was a topper in the class and had come back with flying colors from some state level quiz competition, while her husband was out in Germany for a project.

“No doubt, why she was beaming so much. She is surrounded by achievers..” Nishi spoke to herself while returning home. “But I'll visit her one day.”

                                                                                                                                 .........Contd.