"Oma, ki holo?" Madhabi was surprised to see her early-rising, workaholic husband Nobin still in bed and asked him what the matter was. She was draped in the traditional red bordered white saree, having just finished her pooja. It was almost 7.45 am and her face showed worry lines, Nobin was usually showered, dressed and ready for breakfast by this time.

"Aami aaj baairey jaabonaa, amar khoob maathaa dhorechhe!" Nobin told her he was skipping work because he had a headache. Madhabi was perplexed, in the almost two decades of her marriage her husband had never been unwell. Irrespective of what time he went to sleep he was always ready to leave for work by 8.30 am without missing a single day. His disciplined life ran like clockwork.

"Daaktar daakbo?" She asked if she should call a doctor. "Na, theek hoye jaabe, aamar ektu bishram chaii!" He assured her that he just needed to rest a bit to feel better. He told her he had no appetite when she offered to bring him some food in bed. Instead he asked her to see to the children's breakfast so that they could leave for school in time.

Madhabi reluctantly left the bedroom to attend to her teenage children who were already at the table, helping themselves to buttered toast and omelette. She made them some Bournvita; setting the glasses before them. The children noticed their father's absence at the table and assumed he had left for work. While Robin chatted with his mother warmly Renuka maintained a stony silence.

As Madhabi handed the children their lunch boxes Robin placed his in his bag while Renuka refused to carry hers. "This is so annoying! How many times do I have to tell you Maa, I am not a child to carry snacks from home. I'll have something in the canteen with my friends; don't bother to pack anything henceforth." She sounded irritated and the maid who was hovering around knew what was coming.

"But I made your favourite cutlets; please carry them today, tomorrow onward you can eat in the canteen!" Madhabi coaxed her. "You don't need to show concern; I am old enough to manage on my own now!" Renuka yelled at her mother showing contempt for her. "Renuka! Apologise to your mother immediately and see me in the study right now!" A stern voice boomed suddenly.

The family was startled and Renuka blanched to see her father standing before her in his dressing gown, a sight the children had never witnessed on a working day. They were not expecting him to be home and were nervous to see his expression. Renuka knew she was in trouble; she murmured a hasty apology to her mother and followed her father into the study.

"Listen well Renuka and never forget what I am about to say to you. Nobody, I repeat nobody is allowed to be insolent in this house. You have never witnessed anyone in the family speak rudely to even the house help, Madhabi may not be sophisticated like other mothers but she is dedicated to her children and a peerless wife to me. I will not tolerate disrespect shown toward her."

"Remember I have expectations from you and I look forward to having both Robin and you join the business after your college. But there is no place for arrogance in my home or in the Sanyal Group. If you want to come aboard you need to change your attitude or forget about getting a berth with us." Nobin's tone told Renuka he was not mincing words and she apologised immediately.

After the children left for school Nobin asked his wife to get her breakfast and some buttered bread and coffee for him in the bedroom, reminding her to give instructions to the house help not to disturb him in the room while he rested. Madhabi meekly did as she was told and walked to their room with the breakfast tray, setting it down on the table where Nobin was waiting for her.

She served him and he asked her to join in. She waited until he had begun and then had a few morsels of her meal. After they finished eating she cleared the tray and returned to find Nobin back in bed. He asked her to bolt the door and to rub some pain balm on his forehead.

Her hands shook a little as her fingertips slowly worked the balm on his temple. "Why are you so nervous? Am I a stranger? You have been my wife for all these years!" He held her trembling hand. "I have never seen you so angry before. Renuka is growing up, and it was partly my fault!" She tried to placate him.

"Your only fault is you let people walk all over you. You put up with my infidelity without a word of protest. Your own daughter talks back to you like it is allowed. Why do you have to be so tolerant Madhabi? Assert yourself; you are the wife of one of Kolkata's most powerful men! Renuka is our daughter; she owes you respect as much as she does to me!" He could see her crestfallen face.

He sighed; he had been personally responsible for her poor self-esteem. He realised he was chastising her rather than helping her. He took her in his arms and closed his lips over hers. As he pulled back he could see that she was flustered. "What are you doing? Someone may come!" She whispered. "Do I need to take permission from the staff before I kiss my own wife?" He retorted.

"Don't worry, the door is shut and no one will disturb us! I wanted to speak to you when the children are not around. Just wanted to share a few tips. Don't fuss over Renuka, she has a streak of independence; let her be. She is street smart. She will be fine, and you will not have to suffer heartache. I am happy at least Robin appreciates your effort." He could see she had started to relax.

"Aami English shiktey chai!" She told him she wanted to learn spoken English to improve her confidence. "I will have a tutor appointed; you can take lessons when the children are at school and I will personally help you with reading whenver I am free." He offered. "The children will respect me if I am able to speak the language!" She said with a glint of hope in her eyes.

"The children need to love and respect you for who you are; a committed wife, mother and daughter-in-law. The staff already likes you because you are compassionate to them." He tried to make her see reason. "And you? What you think of me matters more than what anyone else thinks!" She spoke slowly and he smiled at her need for validation.

""Look into my eyes! Do you see a cold, calculating businessman or a man who has fallen hopelessly in love with his naive little wife? I have given you so much grief and in return you only gave me devotion. I admire you for your perseverance though I don't expect you to forgive me. Little wonder your brother hates me! He may be right; Moloy Ganguly would have been a much better husband to you!" He touched a raw nerve unwittingly.

"Abhro is hot-headed and impulsive, how could he decide what is best for his sister? Moloy may be his friend, but I was in love with you ever since I saw you at Anil da's wedding! I used to scribble my name next to yours all over my diary, and one day Kakima caught me. When your Baba brought your proposal I agreed instantly. Our marriage was my dream come true! Nothing else mattered to me, not even your relation with Rosa!" She opened up for the first time.

"This is news to me, I did not know you liked me before we got married. I am not sure I deserve you Madhabi, and I will make it up to you for as long as we are together. First, I want you to make that shutki loita maach (dried Bombay duck fish) for lunch that Baba and you always relished but I detested. Then in the evening we will go on a date! And next summer I will take you to Austria, Germany and Switzerland for a holiday, there no one cares if you do not speak English!" He said to her eagerly.

"Date maaney?" She asked him innocently what a date meant. "Date maaney we will go rambling somewhere; pretending that we are not married, only in love! We can watch a movie of your choice; and have a romantic dinner before we head home, he explained. "But you are not feeling well!" She reminded him. "I know a very effective remedy for headache, but we have to shed our clothes for that!" She blushed furiously as he smirked, pulling her close to himself.

Nobin da paused as he narrated a few snippets of his life with Madhabi to Randhir and Sanyukta. Instead of giving them advice on wedded life he decided to share his experiences. He was unsure if they would be receptive but he noticed that they were listening intently, especially Sanyukta who seemed eager to get to know Madhabi better, feeling an inexplicable connection with her.