Bandita continued working on her laptop while stifling a wide yawn. The wooden wall clock showed 10 minutes past 11. There was still an hour or two of work to be completed. While contemplating whether to simply shut down the laptop and carry over the remainder work to the day after or CONTINUE
working; Vivek’s voice drifted from the adjoining room “I’m off to sleep. You too sleep soon; you have to wake up early. Get adequate rest dear, you need it. Goodnight.”
working; Vivek’s voice drifted from the adjoining room “I’m off to sleep. You too sleep soon; you have to wake up early. Get adequate rest dear, you need it. Goodnight.”
She smiled and went back to her task. Unlike her, Vivek, her husband, followed a disciplined lifestyle. He slept and woke up at almost the exact time every day. He professed a routine style of living for a healthy and sound life. They had been married for almost half a year now.
The clock struck one, Bandita unable to hold her sleep any longer retired to the bedroom. Overworked and fatigued, she could barely walk straight; she simply wanted to hit the bed and retire to a deep slumber. She climbed under the QUILTthey shared. She could hear his synchronised breath indicating he was fast asleep. She set the alarm for 7 am and closed her eyes.
they shared. She could hear his synchronised breath indicating he was fast asleep. She set the alarm for 7 am and closed her eyes.
20 minutes passed. She was still wide awake. Sleep evaded her. Bandita knew if she tried a little harder she could fall asleep. She made an effort to keep her mind blank, keep any and every kind of thoughts at bay. She tried the reverse counting technique. 100..99..98.. Should she wake him up? 97…96..95..94..But it wouldn't be right to disturb him with something so silly, would it….93..92..91..90..She should have gone to bed with him ….89..88..87..86..85.. Sleep was sure to find her, after all she was exhausted from the day’s chores both at office and home..84..83..82..81..Naah, She couldn't sleep like this, she concluded. May be she should get back to work, but would that be a good idea?
She ceased reverse counting; sighed and sat up on the bed. Crouching in the darkness she stared at Vivek’s contour. She envied him sometimes, the way he could keep his professional and personal lives separate and not let anything affect his normal methodical life. She so wished she could be like him at times, especially at nights, sleep like a log. Gulping a glass of water she CHECKED her phone which should never be checked at least 30 minutes prior to sleeping as per Vivek’s instructions, to ensure a sound sleep. Maybe it was high time she started giving heed to his silly rules; that way one was sure to get some peace of mind.
her phone which should never be checked at least 30 minutes prior to sleeping as per Vivek’s instructions, to ensure a sound sleep. Maybe it was high time she started giving heed to his silly rules; that way one was sure to get some peace of mind.
The clock showed half past 1. She had to sleep, she needed rest to be fresh and energetic for the next day. She crashed on the double bed for slumber round two. As soon as her head rested on the pillow, siesta eluded her yet one more time. She kept shifting in order to find a comfortable position, she changed the temperature of the AC over and over, trying everything in vain, knowing the result would be futile. She realised there was only one last resort left to ensure a sound sleep. Her hands reached the bed side drawer and she took out the bottle of sleeping pills, which was kept in her hideout without Vivek’s cognizance for emergency situations like these. Vivek would be furious if he knew about it. He hated medicines and believed on human body’s natural healing process. She would make sure he wouldn’t know. About to pop the pill she stopped midway remembering her last experience of the pill when the following day she had been groggy and sleepy, unable to concentrate on work. She raised her hands up in the air, submitting herself to whoever the God of Sleep was and whispered “I give up! I am done trying.” She laid back on the bed one more time feeling dejected, helpless, tired yet not at all sleepy.
She eyed Vivek who was unaware of her misery. It was high time she woke him up and explained her situation to him. He would definitely understand and comply, but what if he dismissed her theory as ridiculous and baseless. Even worse, what if after being woken up he wasn't able to go back to sleep, just like her he too was rendered sleepless. She decided against the idea of disturbing him and lied down embracing her fated sleepless night. She remembered her carefree bachelorette days when she would fall asleep in no time at all without any hassle. No matter how her day would turn out to be, she slept like a rock. She didn't have any sleeping habit or technique. But as they say marriage changes you forever, her sleeping habit had reached a point of unchangeable dependency. The night went on. It seemed like an endless black nightfall without any visible end. She started making a mental note of the tasks for the next day. Right then the miracle happened, Vivek turned towards her and his hand fell on her. His palm caressed her shoulder, his long fingers brushing her ever so lightly, his warm skin nudging her cold epidermis; Bandita was aware Vivek was sound asleep and completely oblivious. In no time, Bandita fell asleep and slept smoothly till the daybreak without any further inconvenience, with a smile etched across her face.
