Rajan feels the street is his actual home. Moving vehicles, trees, houses, shops and people bustling with energy and chaos just make his day always. On the contrary Rinki prefers a quiet road early in the morning meant for jogging and time just for herself. She loves to reflect on so many things while at it. It gives her peace that is beyond words. Her husband finds it all so boring. They are complete opposites but live under one roof for three decades now. Their love marriage has bumps like any other normal marriage but none of it turns their hearts bitter. 

Rinki, an Event manager, 5’4 in height with long hair and a heavy figure carries herself well. She is assertive and her team adores her for the professionalism she maintains at all times. She is open to fresh ideas and appreciates good work by acknowledging it whenever it is due. Sometimes she loses her cool but nothing goes out of her hands. Clients keep increasing and her company is in good shape as well as famous in one of the metropolitan cities of India. It took her 8 years to establish herself but all the hard work was worth it. She is 55 now. 

At 61, Rajan is really doing well. He is a heart patient indeed but this does not deter him from compromising on his eating habits. He relishes street food but indulges in it moderately. A retired income tax inspector is living life his way by all means. Evenings are on the street and when not meditating he sits on the balcony of his bedroom and passes time by looking at the street through his binoculars. Having a residence on the top floor of a skyscraper has its perks. He is aging gracefully and his good features often turn heads of both sexes.

While talking to his wife on Diwali night Rajan asked, ‘We have come a long way, haven’t we my love?’  

‘Yes we have my husband, glad we could make it so far, I quite like it and would love to explore our worlds a lot more,’ answered Rinki. 

‘Sanjeev was the best choice for our daughter. She is so happy and satisfied with her life in California. The couple is an epitome of togetherness and harmony. I love it when they visit us whenever they can,’ shared Rajan with ecstasy. 

‘I love it too, Rajan,’ beamed Rinki and silently reminisced about her daughter’s birth, the trials, struggles and joy that she brought with it. It had filled her world with so much more.This even brought about a lot of changes in her daily routine. Adjustments were mandatory. Ridhi was her first priority above all else. Ambition, friends and relatives had to be kept on hold till she got married. Rajan too came second once Ridhi came out of her womb. She raised her daughter without any nannies or servants and she was proud about it whenever Rinki introspected. 

Rajan babysat though he also knew that this was not enough in any way for Rinki. Kids usually cling to their mothers more and this was both an advantage as well as a disadvantage for him. Those quiet years made him make friends with the street. He was there yet not there as Ridhi wanted more of her mom and this happiness cum disappointment Rajan hid beautifully. He knew his duties of giving her education, facilities and an environment of security but he wanted more but couldn’t make his way through it. Rinki took the cake here. 

Both the parents were involved in Ridhi’s life but differently. Ridhi was closer to her mom but adored Rajan. There was a distance which was comfortable and comforting. Rinki respected Rajan for not being demanding when he could have as sex suffered during Ridhi’s growing up years. Whether one likes it or not raising a kid is exhausting no doubt and her husband was very understanding. Instead of extra marital affairs he preferred the street life, sometimes spending time strolling, sometimes making friends, and most of the time just observing people. 

Rinki had met Rajan while buying veggies from a market. His maid had taken leave and Rajan had to fill in so that his mother could cook a meal. Rinki was the only bread earner of the house so after work this was routine. Observing his inexperience of picking veggies Rinki had intervened and the rest they say was history. It was not love at first sight but gradually they came closer. Rinki worked in a finance company though she always wanted to be the one in-charge. She had to feed three mouths and was protective about his younger brother, Akshat. 

One thing was common in the Tripathi household; both Rajan and Rinki never experienced their parents’ love. Rajan was the fifth kid and his birth was an accident. A lot was spent on education and maintenance of the house and kids. While providing for their family his working parents just managed to make ends meet. The kids were more of a duty and there were hardly any pamperings. Rinki was the product of a drunkard father who was jobless. Her mother washed utensils and cooked food in elite houses to feed till her age allowed. 

Rinki’s mom wanted at least one child to get a proper education so that their situation could improve. A government owned school headmaster helped a great deal here. One of her employers aided in funding Rinki’s education and this got her a job as a secretary in that finance company. Very early in life she had to feed her family. From her father there was no emotional support and her mother took her as a money earning machine. Rinki was thankful to Mr. Bhatnagar for whatever he had done as this helped her stand on her own feet and life improved.

Rajan lived in a one room apartment. The house was overcrowded with his four older siblings. He was the youngest and by the time he could make sense of things books and streets became his friends. He loved to study. Studies pushed him to become an income tax inspector but there was no emotional connection with his family at any level. Fights were common. Trauma was not alien to him. The stress of unexpressed feelings added to the agony. Being employed was the biggest boost. It was a big family and life wasn’t easy. Sacrifices happened often. 

Rinki and Rajan had married at an opportune time. Ridhi came into their lives by choice after 5 years of being together in a love filled 3BHK house. Rinki had quit her job and once Ridhi was married off she tried to re-establish her life the way she wanted. Ridhi was a good wife and saved quite a bit from her previous job and household expenditure. Rajan pooled in some money for her dream project too. She collected like-minded people and started the event management company. Initially there were hiccups but it all worked in her favor eventually. 

“For a change, Rinki, please let me accompany you for the morning walk tomorrow. I too want to feel the freshness and serenity of an empty street. It’s never too late right?’ asked Rajan.

‘Oh, Rajan, be my guest, finally you said it on your own, mind if I meet you the same evening for an escapade only with you as the next day my brother Akshat plans to visit me. Guess it would be fun and a different Diwali after party?’ Rinki asked.

Smiles were exchanged and both retreated to their room for a warm video call with their daughter and son-in-law. 

The couple has entered old age. The occupants of the Tripathi House, Rinki and Rajan, the damaged goods know how to survive and bloom in spite of the odds. Love, support and care make life a little more stress free. In a couple of months they will become grandparents and they promised they will  never deprive their grandkids of whatever they faced individually while growing up. God is kind and thankfully life is good. A promising future is never a distant dream for the lovebirds hopefully.