The Past
“If only I could have foreseen the life ahead, I wouldn’t have ended up in this state.”
I grew up witnessing the love between my father and mother. My two siblings and I were raised seeing their affection. I felt proud hearing others speak of my mother’s love and respect for my father, sometimes with joy, sometimes with envy. I don’t remember ever seeing them quarrel or fight. Growing up watching this, I wished for a girl with a character just like my mother’s.
After my studies, I secured a job. That was when my father asked, “We need to go see a girl for you; do you have any preferences?” Only one thought came to my mind: a loving girl like my mother. We went to see the girl. Her name was Revathi. I liked her at first glance. I conveyed my consent, and the marriage was fixed.
A few days after the wedding, I realized I couldn’t comprehend Revathi’s character. Whatever I said or did, she found fault in it. Initially, I didn’t take it seriously; I pretended not to notice. In the meantime, two children were born, and we built a house and moved in. By then, Revathi had changed completely; she had become a different person. Arguments became a daily routine. I didn’t yield either, and the issues began to end in loud altercations. Neighbors started asking, “What is the problem between you two?”
Our fights became known at home, in the neighborhood, and even at my office. It was humiliating. Many asked, “Don’t you know how to control your own wife?” But only I knew that she wouldn’t listen to a word I said. I had enough. I couldn’t go on like this. I started thinking about divorce. But I kept it to myself. I feared that if I initiated it, I would be the only one blamed in front of everyone. So, I suppressed it inside.
Then one day, during an argument, Revathi shouted, “My bad times started the day I married you. I am sick of this relationship. I’ve been tolerating this for a long time, and I can’t take it anymore.”
Her words didn’t surprise me at all; she had openly said what I had been longing to say. I think it must have been after a very long time that we both arrived at the same decision. How long can two people who can never get along live fighting? How long can they adjust? Despite all the talking and doing, we couldn’t forgive, tolerate, or love each other. Family members tried to intervene, but she wouldn’t yield to anything. She claimed I was the cause of all problems. Blame and ridicule for everything. Finally, we decided to separate.
But unexpectedly, the decision had to be postponed. Revathi didn’t have a job, her situation at home was difficult, the children were too young, and then there was the pressure from parents, friends, and relatives. So, adhering to everyone’s demands, we waited—living like strangers in two separate rooms in the same house for 20 long years.
Now, our daughter is 21, and our son is 23. They are capable of looking after themselves. A good part of life has passed. I still can’t believe I lived there for so long. Just a little while longer, and it will all be over. Since it is by mutual consent, the divorce is easy. The long wait is coming to an end. Now, I must live in peace. I am a government employee, so I don’t need to worry; I can survive. I have applied for a transfer; it will be approved soon. My wish is to leave this place and never return. I don’t even go to my own family home; no one calls me. I don’t want to bump into anyone. My children don’t like me.
One thing is certain—I will not marry again. I must live alone. After all, I was alone in that house too; for some time now, no one has spoken to me. The mother and children are one unit. Let them live happily. Aren’t I the troublemaker? The house was run with the money I earned from working hard. They want my money, but not me. Let no one know about that. Let it all end.
Thinking about all this with a heavy heart, Sumesh was standing in the court corridor when his lawyer called him.
The Petition
Advocate Narayanan. In the family court, he only accepts clients who seek mutual divorce. There is a story behind this. Long ago, when Narayanan started practicing, he had many cases. Once, a client physically assaulted him. This incident caused him great fear and distress. Since then, he only takes up mutual divorce cases. When Sumesh inquired among his acquaintances, everyone suggested Advocate Narayanan’s name.
Since it was by mutual consent, the lawyer agreed to take the case. One lawyer for both of them. No complaints, no alimony, no property disputes, no custody battles for the children. They just wanted to be separated.
Advocate Narayanan prepared a joint petition under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and submitted it to the court. The court granted them a 6-month cooling-off period to think it over.
One day, six months later. Case Number 135/2025, Sumesh vs. Revathi, is called. Both appeared before the Judge along with the lawyer.
“Are both parties present?” The details of the petition were read out. Sumesh and Revathi, married for 24 years, two children. After marriage, they could not get along. For the sake of the children’s future, they waited until they attained adulthood. The case for divorce was filed 6 months ago.
Judge: “Is there any change in your decision? do you stand firm on wanting a divorce?” Both together: “We are ready for divorce.” Judge: “Is there anything else to bring to the court’s attention?” Lawyer: “No.”
After a short while, the Judge declared: “As per your request, the court legally approves the divorce. From now on, you are no longer partners.”
Liberation
As soon as they stepped out of the court and got into the car, Revathi started crying to her sister, Ragini.
“I said it the moment his proposal came—I didn’t like him, I wasn’t interested in the marriage. No one stood by me then. You all didn’t listen because he had a government job. It’s all my fate. You see how I suffered? I am the only one who lost everything. I wasted 24 years of my life looking after his children. Even though I was educated enough, he didn’t let me work. It was a situation where I had to account for even 10 rupees. But if I asked to go to work, he would say, ‘There is no need for you to earn and bring money here.’ Only I know the struggle I went through to raise the kids. He wouldn’t stand by me for anything, wouldn’t look after the kids, wouldn’t even go to their school. Have you ever seen him come to our house? He hasn’t attended a single function of my relatives. The kids don’t have good clothes to wear; they haven’t even gone on a tour. Anyway, the kids grew up seeing his character, so that’s a relief—they will stand by me.”
“When I said we were going to separate, Malu asked, ‘Mom, couldn’t this have happened earlier?’ I told them I tolerated and endured everything thinking of them. Mentally, we had separated long ago; now, it has ended legally. I am at peace. I don’t want anything of his; let him give everything to the kids. Malu needs to be married off, and something must be given to him (the son) too.”
“I will look after our mother at my own house now. Anyway, it is difficult for you to come from so far to look after her, isn’t it? Mother won’t come and stay at your house either. Malu is in class, and Kannan will be busy with work; I’ll call them both in the afternoon. When I called in the morning, Kannan picked up, but she didn’t. Now, I need to sleep peacefully. Everyone knows we are going to separate. Let me put up a status: ‘Finally Free’.”
The Empty House
Malu calls Kannan on the phone. “Brother, where are you?” “I’m in the room.” “Didn’t you go out?” “Today isn’t a good day, so I didn’t go.” “Malu, did you attend class?” “No, brother. I can’t bear it. Who is there in our house now?”
Kannan: “Who was actually there before? Did Mom and Dad have time to love us? Were they not interested only in fighting with each other? Have the four of us ever gone anywhere together? Have we eaten together? For as long as I can remember, all I see is their fighting. I still don’t understand what it was all for.”
“Dad says, ‘I lived in this house for so many years thinking of you, otherwise, I would have divorced her long ago.’ Mom says, ‘I struggled to raise you. What support did he give? How can a family survive on the pittance he throws at us? It was because my mother and sister helped that I could raise you.’ Have they ever thought about us? No, that is the truth.”
“Couldn’t they have separated earlier instead of living this dead life? Why did they wait? Was it really for us? They went to any extent to make their side win and get a divorce, and they think it’s a great achievement. Ego is the problem for both of them. ‘I am right, I am not ready to bow down.'”
“Dad and Mom say their lives are lost. In truth, wasn’t it my life and your life, and our peace of mind, that was lost? Can they give back our lost childhood and adolescence?”
Malu: “Everything you say is right, brother. Just think, if they had separated earlier, what would our lives have been? We might have stood by one person’s side, or we might have taken turns hating both of them. Because we grew up between them, we understood the truth. No one is great. We didn’t take anyone’s side. One thing is sure, they would never go well together because their minds were already set that way.”
“Mom didn’t like Dad; she said so when they went to see her. No one cared then. They thought everything would be fine after marriage. But things got out of hand. Grandmother told me this once. I asked what the real problem between them was. Grandmother cried, saying, ‘Because of us, the lives of you two are lost.'”
“It’s been so long since Dad spoke. We don’t speak to him either. Mom said she would go to her house. I don’t know where I should go. Where do you intend to go, brother?”
Kannan: “I am not coming there for now, Malu. Life feels empty, like there is no one with us. Even if there was anger or fighting, there were people in the house. Now Mom won’t come home. Dad’s friend Rameshan Uncle called to know how things were going; that’s when he said Dad has applied for a transfer.”
“Malu, I will never marry. My mind is numb just seeing their life.”
Malu: “Brother, I am not taking Mom’s side, but I grew up seeing her tears and distress. I am more scared of marriage than you are. I decided this a long time ago.”
For a while, neither speaks. Kannan cuts the phone.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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