Sunday Story "My Live-in Sasuraal" Season 3 - Episode 4 - Give and Take

Don't forget to catch up on Episode 3: Some people like....never change

Akash was in Bengaluru for office work, so Anika and Akash’s mother, Vaishali had a chatting session at night. Anika complained to Vaishali about how her son was forgetful about things and had a laugh at his silly anecdotes.

“Akash is a bit forgetful since childhood.” She giggled while listening to Anika’s funny narrations.

“Aunty, I have never seen Chhote Chacha and Chachi having any complaints about each other. Do they even talk?”

“Chhote Chacha is an introvert. He rarely talks and simply listens to his wife. So, there are lesser chances of fighting as he mostly nods or obeys his wife.” She said funnily.

“It is so surprising. I wish every couple was like that. Akash and I squabble like crazy, about whether to switch on the AC or not, which movie to watch, where to go for a weekend…Sometimes, I agree to his demands and sometimes he is okay with what I plan for. But still, we squabble a lot. We don’t have constant fights like some of my friends do. ” Anika pouted her lips.

“Every relationship has a different spice. Some are okay with the quietness, some want squabbles like you people, and some fight and patch up. It is fine, Anika.” Vaishali suggested her opinions.

When Akash returned from Bengaluru, Anika welcomed him with a dinner date at his favourite restaurant. Akash loved that restaurant, but he didn’t understand why Anika had suddenly thought of that gesture. He recollected even he had once booked a dinner table when Anika was back from Singapore.

“Ani, why this dinner plan? I am back from Bengaluru, and not from US or London?” Akash asked easily, trying to sense what Anika was thinking about the whole plan.

“Is it a bad idea? Remember, you had planned for dinner when I returned from Singapore. This is similar to your idea.” She squeaked happily and waited for Akash to order.

Akash placed an order half-heartedly and tried to clarify, “I think it is good. But why did you plan the same way?” He muttered. He wanted to ask her directly, ‘Why are you treating me in the Tit for Tat way?’ but he calmed down his curiosity and sought her response passively.

“Baby, relationships are all about give and take. When a partner gives, the other one has to take and return it. This chain continues. So, when you give me a treat when I am back from an office trip, I have to do the same. Don’t you like this restaurant? Why are looking upset, Akash?” She noticed his blank expressions and was upset.

But Akash smiled and tried to get rid of his curious expressions. Instead, he remarked ironically, “I will have to maintain an account of what we give and take henceforth.”

For the next two days, Akash recollected the past incidents. Anika behaved like an accountant when it came to ‘give and take’ in a relationship. She reciprocated everything that he had done for her. Then, he remembered how he hadn’t reciprocated some of her gestures and she looked disappointed. He thought she wasn’t feeling well, but her face sulked because he hadn’t reciprocated her gifts and gestures.

Meanwhile, Anika comprehended the sarcastic comment that Akash made on dinner night. But she didn’t confront him and complained about him to Vaishali.

“Sometimes, I simply don’t understand your son, Aunty.” She cribbed like a kid in front of Vaishali. “He was saying that he will maintain accounts for us.” Then, she narrated the whole incident that happened and Vaishali laughed.

“Anika, first of all, I am not taking his side because he is my son. Please keep that in mind.” She said convincingly and moved to her explanation. “I think he is right. We don’t have accounts for relationships, dear.”

“But I do not have accounts for our relationship.” Anika intervened. “It is a rule, we need to give and give when we take. So, when Akash arranged a dinner date for me, I should also do something similar when he returned from a successful office trip. It is simple.” She budged and looked upset.

“Certainly, Anika, you have to give when you take but there is no ratio and proportion to it. Nor you can calculate it on a percentage basis. When Akash arranged for a dinner date, he did it unconditionally. He didn’t expect you to do the same for him. He didn’t do a favour that needs to be returned. It was okay if you had not arranged for a dinner date. He would have never been disappointed.” Vaishali explained.

But Anika didn’t grasp what she was trying to explain. “Aunty, I am not getting it.  Just imagine if I hadn’t planned anything special for me on his return, he would have felt that I take, I never give.”

“No, beta. Let us understand this in another way.” Vaishali continued. “Suppose you are not well and Akash cares for you, will you wait for him to fall sick so that you can take care of him? No. You will not wait for it or you will not keep in mind that you have to give back the ‘care’ that he did for you. This is what Akash was trying to say to you. We don’t maintain any favours when we give and take in a relationship.” Vaishali ended her little speech with a broad smile, hoping that Anika would understand it.

After a few days, Anika said to Vaishali in a stern voice, “Aunty, I was wrong. I should not calculate when I give and take.”

“It is okay, beta. We are still learners and not professionals in relationships. Even I am learning about it every day at this age. You weren’t wrong. You simply had a different approach to sharing, caring, and receiving in a relationship. I know you might plan more dinner dates and show how much you care about Akash. I am sure about it. But I didn’t like his sarcastic way of behaving with my daughter-in-law. Wait, I will talk to him tonight.” She added and winked at Anika.

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