Sriram and Savithri were the perfect parents, the perfect neighbours and almost perfect couple. 15 years of marriage had created no dent in their relationship. Sriram was the no.1 fan of Savithri - for her character, for her personality, for her cooking, for her everything!
But that Sunday evening changed things permanently.
Sriram came home from his usual temple stroll on a pleasant Sunday evening. He had the habit of taking a walk around the nearby temples every Sunday afternoon, paint his forehead with multi-layer multi-colour prasadams, before returning home.....Until that day.
He should not have worn the white shirt that day. He returned home as usual with Savithri opening the door and eagerly awaiting the flowers and kumkum from the devi temple. He did not disappoint and did offer her the flowers. But that day was different. That reddish orange stain on his white shirt caught her eye. She asked what it was and Sriram started stammering. The smell of that strain was also a dead giveaway. For the first time silence filled the room for the couple who were known to be the chatty bunch in their apartment complex.
Savithri was heartbroken. Out of all the shocking things that she could bear, this would top her list. This was her worst nightmare that just came true on a Sunday afternoon. She just crashed in a corner and started sobbing. Sriram knew that he was caught ... Red handed. Deep down he knew that things are going to be messed up and its never going to be the same again. Savithri was never going to eagerly expect him back on Sunday evenings with a snack platter that she usually prepares on the weekend.
"How could you Sriram? I mean after all these years? I thought we were best friends and partners. Am I not good enough for you anymore that you have to go out and satisfy your needs? Is this over between us?"
"Savithri, please stop over-reacting. I know I messed up, but please do hear my side of story"
"Your side, Sriram? You really think you have your side? I mean, look at your shirt. Look at the stain. It speaks for itself. Do I need to say more? For god sakes, I had made the whole snack platter ready, awaiting your arrival. You know how long it took me?..... Forget it. I am done. We are done"
"Look Savithri, I always wanted to tell you this .. but was afraid that this will hamper our relationship. I know how much effort you put in every day to get me, what you think is best. But it just doesn't cut it for me anymore - it never had. I will come out clean. I never went to those temples. All the prasadams I gave you were from the stash I stored in my car. I had to venture out. I needed variety. There - I said it" ...
... said Sriram wiping his sambar stain that he got by spilling one of the sambar idlys from the neighbourhood Murugan Idly Shop.
