Vanitha was upset and it was showing on her face. When Ruchi asked her the reason behind her pale face, she preferred to ignore unlike rest of the time when she used to pour her heart out to her bestie. “May be the impending promotion exercise”, thought Ruchi, as she knew how determined Vanitha was to get promoted this time. Last year despite being one of the top performers, Vanitha was not promoted, which was disturbing her from within. It took her a month to get over the same. This time being a consistent hard-working officer in the organization, she is doubly determined to get her due. However, for Vanitha, it was something else that has been giving her sleepless nights. Since the time Vikram moved to Bangalore, things have been quite different for Vanitha. 2018 September was a memorable one for this much in love couple. Vikram was promoted and they took their first four-wheeler post marriage. Ever since they got hitched, both Vikram and Vanitha have been wanting to have their own car, but due to stringent budget they were restricting their emotions.
“Don’t worry Vannu, we will buy car, once I am promoted” Vikram used to blabber, once he would see Vanitha eyeing trendy four wheeler on road. Vanitha too would echo the same feelings as she was pretty much aware about their financial condition. Their in-hand salary together amounted to Rs. 100000 and in a metro city like Pune it was becoming difficult for them to have a comfortable living. On top of it Vikram had his parents and elder brother’s family too to look after. Vanitha knew Vikram was the only one who had a stable job in the family and she too empathized with him, but whenever Sanu Bhabi would say “Double Income “Vanitha would get irked to the core. Since her marriage Vanitha has been listening to this phrase time and again.
Post marriage, when they were about to leave for their honeymoon, she had heard Sanu Bhabi whisper to Bhaiyya “Why are they going to Shimla? Mahabaleswar Kya kharab Hai? Double Income jo Hai”. Immediately when they boarded the train, Vanitha asked Vikram, what Bhabi meant by the same to which Vikram replied “just ignore Dear, they are happy that both of us earn and that’s why she must have referred to the term Double income”. But in her mind Vanitha knew Sanu Bhabi’ s intention was not as clear as Vikram felt. After that there had been numerous occasions when Vanitha did hear the same phrase but for Vikram she has always given a damn. But now when Vikram has been transferred to Bangalore and there are two establishments, Vanitha can hardly let the phrase go off her mind. She wanted to explain Sanu Bhabi that with Double income, there’s definitely double the expenses. After promotion Vikram’s in hand salary rose by Rs.10000 per month but as he was transferred, he had to pay for his rent, food and other expenses in this new city, apart from his to and fro travel fare from Bangalore to Pune.
“No doubt, expenses have seen a steep rise but Sanu Bhabi can never understand this” wondered Vanitha……………………..
When Vanitha got married to Vikram, she had numerous dreams. No doubt Vikram was a dedicated husband, but before that he was a responsible son for whom his parents and brother stood above all. Amit Bhaiyya, Vikram’s elder brother was into construction business, but his partners duped him and he was left with hardly any money to start a new venture. Since the time Vanitha came to this new household, she has seen Amit Bhaiyya spend time just gossiping with his friends in the near by chowk. Sanu Bhabi on the other hand was always into household chores and hardly bothered how money is going to come for running their household. Papa ji’s pension was a meager amount and it was Vikram’s salary which everyone had their eyes on. Once Vanitha got married to Vikram, she too started contributing to the family income, after keeping a small amount aside to meet her monthly expense. She understood her beloved husband’s plight and couldn’t be rude to his family either. But whenever Sanu Bhabi would utter the word “Double Income “it would annoy her to the most.
If at all Vanitha would purchase something fancy, then immediately Sanu Bhabi would confront her or speak at her back. For Vanitha it was becoming increasingly difficult to hear this time and again.
“How am I going to explain her my plight? She thinks, we earn in lakhs. After deduction of PF, ESI I get Rs. 55000 in hand, from that I have to pay for my LIC and PPF. What I am left with is Rs.50000, It’s really crazy at the end of the month…. I hope she understands someday” …………..Vanitha would chatter, once she would hear Sanu Bhabi speaking at her back. Vanitha knew that, if at all she opens her mouth, then it will unnecessarily create friction in the family. She wanted Vikram to voice this, but again she knew Vikram wouldn’t foster the courage and speak out loud. This was putting her in fix each time.
“ Hey, Vanu… hope things are good with you “uttered Ruchi
“Hmmm” quipped Vanitha
She didn’t feel like loading Ruchi’s mind with her ongoing tension. She knew it was Friday and Vikram would be back from Bangalore. She was in a state of hurry to meet him. She didn’t feel like wasting time looking for public transport. She hired a cab and was all set for her home to meet her beloved husband. This was for the first time after long that she had hired a cab. Until then she had been either commuting by bus or shared auto. The luxury of cab was something she was enjoying after long time. Still there was a guilt of spending more, but the eagerness to meet Vikram prevailed above all. She took out her small mirror from her purse and looked at her face, took the waving hair to the back and tapped her bindi with her fingers. Her face was beaming with happiness as after fifteen long days she was going to meet Vikram. After marriage, this was the first time they were apart and she didn’t want to make slightest delay in catching up with her husband. She wanted to enjoy the cab ride, but the unnecessary expenditure was not making her do that. The wait was killing her and her curious eyes were constantly hooked to her phone.
“Was it worth taking the cab?” hardly I will be saving 30 minutes…………….. Vanitha’s mind seemed to be weighing the pros and cons, when suddenly there was this jerk……………
“Oh! I have reached home, the ride was so swift and fast, may be that’s the reason people take cab now a days”………. Vanitha’s face suddenly brightened up and hurriedly she made payment of her fare to the Cab driver. Then as soon as she turned, she found Sanu Bhabi starring at her. Vanitha knew, Sanu Bhabi would pass some comment on her cab ride back home and hence faintly smiled at her.
“Weather seems to be fine, Vanitha” Sanu Bhabi’s eyes were wide open and she looked at Vanitha with a sly smile on her face.
Yeah, Bhabi…………..quipped Vanitha and was rushing past the main hallway door, when she heard the old phrase,
“Double income, kya karein………..Bus me kaun safar karega ? Cab pe paise udayenge ”
Vanitha’s blood boiled, but she controlled herself and was about to take the staircase when a voice interrupted……………
“Enough Bhabi, There’s a limit to everything. Vanitha is silent, that doesn’t mean she will be an innocent victim to your rude words. She is quiet, as she respects you and loves this family. On top it, what’s this double income all about? I don’t know where from you have learnt this, but let me tell you one thing, that “Double income” doesn’t always imply excess money. Double income comes with double the expenses. With two different establishments in two big cities, our expenses runs into thousand of Rupees. What is left is just enough to make both ends meet. Please Bhabi,Stop saying this always……………”
Vanitha was speechless, Tears started rolling down her eyes. She couldn’t control herself and ran to Vikram. She wanted to hug him, but controlled her emotions, realizing the presence of other family members in the room. She couldn’t be happier as for the first time Vikram has opened his mouth and addressed this topic which has been haunting her since long. She was at her happiest self as finally Vikram understood and empathized with her.
“Hopefully Sanu Bhabi’s misconception would have been cleared after this” …………………………..wondered Vanitha.
“Double Income” doesn’t always imply huge disposable income. This is a misconception people have at times. With both spouses working, there’s a rise in fixed and variable expenses like taking a second vehicle, rent, food exp(in case partners stay and work in different places)etc. Hence with increase in income, expenses too witness an upward spiral and it’s wrong to comment without having a clear idea of the situation.
