Her Gifts..
1097 Words
After taking shower, dressed in grey sweatshirt and black tracks, Anthony came downstairs for dinner and saw Sarah laying the food on the table. He noticed Sarah's foul mood. "God not more now. Am done dealing with people for the day. Give me a break" he sighed as he thought to himself.
Sarah sat opposite to Anthony. Normally she would sit next to him but whenever they argued she would sit opposite to him. He noticed Sarah absent minded, playing with her food. Getting irritated Anthony asked " What's wrong? Why are you not eating? I told you I am too tired today . So if you have any complaints, can we deal with it tomorrow?"
Without looking at him Sarah answered in a disappointing voice " Today is my birthday. But as usual you forgot it this time too."
A pang of guilt clouded Anthony but he didn't want to bow down to her and said " If you know that I keep forgetting your birthday then why had you expected me to remember it this time? What is so special about this time?"
Putting her fork down she looked at him and said calmly " Well this is my first birthday as Mrs Smith."
Not wanting to stretch the argument further Anthony replied with a sigh " OK. Happy birthday. Sorry for not wishing you earlier."
Hearing him wishing for her birthday and also apologizing for forgetting it, Sarah's smile was back. " Thank you so much. But hey what about my gift? See you cant get away this time. Mrs Smith wants a gift" she said pouting and crossing her arms across her chest.
Hearing Sarah mention about gifts, Anthony put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. Sipping red wine from his glass he questioned her back "Gifts? What more gifts you want? The house you are living in, the food you are eating , the credit card you are using ,the lavish life of an estate that you are enjoying , who do you think is paying for these? Aren't these enough for you?
Astonished at Anthony's insensitivity Sarah starred at him and wondered " Is he for real?". Not letting her tears to pile up on her eyes she swallowed hard and said " Sorry for expecting anything on my birthday. I thought like any other husband you too would appreciate your wife. But thank you so much for providing me a roof, food , credit card and a lavish life." She added the last part in a sarcastic tone.
Anthony was pissed off, though he didn't understand whether the reason was his guilt for forgetting her birthday or her mentioning about gifts.
He went out to the garden to smoke. As he was smoking and strolling in the garden his phone rang. It was a call from his business associate c*m friend c*m ex batch mate , Max. "Hello Max" Anthony spoke receiving the call.
"Hey whats up?" Max replied. Without waiting for Anthony to answer back he added " OK listen. Tomorrow is my wife Rihana's birthday. I am throwing a surprise party for her at Attic rooftop restaurant and I want you and Sarah to help me to surprise her."
Throwing his cigarette butt Anthony said impatiently "Not again. Don't make me part of this birthday bullshit again. Here Sarah is making an issue for me forgetting her birthday and for not showering her with gifts. But she conveniently forgets that its me who is working hard to provide her a good life in the estate with food, house and what not . What more gifts she wants? Besides she has my credit card , she can buy whatever she wants ".
Max was taken aback hearing such harsh words from Anthony. Max laughed and said in a mocking tone "You know you are such a moron. You say you have given her a house to live in but who do you think has turned it into a home? You say about providing her food but don't forget she is the one who cooks meals for you. And you are talking about providing her a good lifestyle? She has given you her life, man."
Max paused but he was not done and added more but in a calm tone "You are talking about providing her with a credit card. Have you forgotten that she had left her career for you? Its easy for us to accuse our wives for demanding us gifts but what about us? They had fulfilled our demands even before we had asked for it."
Anthony was done taking accusations from Max and defended himself " That's enough of your bullshit explanations. I am not the one who had begged her to marry me. Instead it was Sarah who was hell bound on marrying me. She chased for all these years and it was her decision to settle with me. I never promised her anything."
Max lost his cool and snapped back at Anthony " What's wrong with you man? What has got inside your head? When did you become so bitter towards Sarah? Don't hurt her so much that at the end not even love can mend her. Anyways wish her a happy birthday from my end." On second thoughts Max added " Actually don't. No point of wishing now as you had already spoiled her day. Good night" and he disconnected the call without waiting for Anthony's response.
Pissed off with both Max and Sarah , Anthony took out another cigarette. He was about to light it but was burning in rage as he was analyzing Max's accusations. Throwing away the cigarette he barged inside to have a confrontation talk with Sarah. Seeing the clean dining table and kitchen, Anthony went upstairs and roughly opened their bedroom door.
He saw Sarah's curled up sleeping posture. Her back was facing him so he could not see her tear drained cheeks. Looking at her sleeping figure his heart didn't allow him to wake her up for a confrontation. Frustrated he closed the door behind him and climbed on the bed and laid down turning his back to her.
Even though both of them were sleeping on the same bed, with each passing day the distance between them kept increasing. Though it was mid - summer yet the atmosphere between them remained cold.
When a person cares and loves more than they should, they get hurt more than they deserve. It is always the one you love the most, hurts you the most.
- Writer
