It was a Saturday morning but that hardly made a difference to Aditi. She followed the same routine every day and today was no different. She woke up at 7, brushed her teeth, cooked breakfast at 8, and wondered where her life is headed while sipping a cup of tea. But, as usual, she found no answers to her questions.
She looked at her husband, Anil, who was sitting next to her. He looks so happy and full of life. He is also enjoying his work. What happened to me? She pondered and asked herself, Why do I feel so empty?
“Aditi…. hello,” Anil interrupted her train of thoughts. Waving his hands, he asked, “Where did you go off to?”
“Nowhere. Tell me,” she replied with a wry smile.
“Listen, there’s a play going on in a nearby theatre. Let’s check it out,” Anil suggested.
“Sure. Give me some time to get ready,” she got up and went back to her room.
Later at the theatre, Anil was enthralled by the show. The acting, the dialogues, the drama…it was brilliant, he thought. When the play was over, he said, “Come on, I want you to meet someone.”
“Who?” Aditi asked curiously.
“Come with me,” Anil took her backstage. “Meet Arvind, the director of the play and a good friend of mine. He also runs an acting school.” Shocked, Aditi stood still for a moment. She knew all about him and was a huge fan of his work.
“I heard you like acting?” Arvind broke her reverie. “Yes…yes, I do,” she murmured. “But I haven’t done it in a while.”
“Why don’t you come to my school tomorrow. We’ll talk more,” he handed her his card, shook hands, and bid them goodbye.
As soon as he left, Aditi jumped into Anil’s arms. “Oh my god, what just happened?”
“Well, I found your old journal a few weeks ago. You never told me you love acting and that it has been your dream for long,” he said. “Now I know what was bugging you all this while. You don’t have to sacrifice your dream just because you are married.”
Aditi couldn’t believe what she heard. All she could do was hold back her tears and embrace Anil.
“Come on, let’s go home now. You have to prepare for your class tomorrow,” Anil whispered to her ears.
As they walked back to their car, Aditi looked at her husband, and with a heart brimming with love and gratitude, said, “Thank you, Anil.”