July 24, 2024

“You have been restlessly rolling over the bed for quite some time. It is disturbing my sleep. Normally you drift off quickly. Is something wrong?” Brigitte poked her index finger into her husband’s waist.

“I am worried about Stella,” Henry took a deep breath. “I forgot to tell you. Edmond called in the evening.”

“What did our son-in-law say?” she sounded anxious.

“Stella has been away from him for more than a month. She is neither picking up his calls nor replying to his texts. He wanted to know when she plans to return home. What’s wrong with our daughter? It's just been eighteen months of wedded life. She is showing no signs of going back to her husband. Tell me, what should I do?” Henry helplessly grumbled.

“She is senseless,” Brigitte expressed her anger. “I am sure she has done something wrong. She avoids the topic. Edmond is a true gentleman. Stella has this habit of blabbering without thinking. It is so annoying. She does not know how to adjust and handle married life. You are the father. Why are you quiet? Take her to task.”

“We will have to make her open up about their troubles. Let us have a heart-to-heart talk tomorrow morning,” Henry assured.

The night passed quickly and paved the way for a new dawn.

They met their daughter at the dining table by 7 am. Henry had rehearsed his part of the conversation. Stella appeared busy with her smartphone’s touchscreen. Henry and Brigitte exchanged glances while serving breakfast. She gestured to her husband to speak up. Henry coughed and cleared his throat.

“Stella, any news from Edmond?” Henry opened the dialogue.

“He is a government employee. Must be busy with his work,” Stella shrugged her shoulders.

“Does that mean you are not in touch with him?” Henry expressed his surprise.

“Is there any such rule? Should I always be in touch with him?” She remained focused on the phone.

“Stella, could you keep your phone aside for a while?” Brigitte lost her patience. “It has been over a month. You have left your husband all alone. When do you plan to return home? We are worried.”

“Why should you be worried?” Stella placed her phone on the table. “I wasn’t ready for this marriage. Both of you persuaded me by saying he was a well-mannered boy, a chartered accountant, with a highly paid government job and what not! I fell for your sweet talk. You were relieved to see me married off. Now I am caught in a prison!”

“Why do you say so?” Henry stared at her with a perplexed expression.

“He is not my type,” Stella replied instantly.

“What do you mean by that?” Brigitte intervened. “There is no such thing as a perfect match. The perfect partner does not exist. There are differences and problems in every married couple’s life. Conflicts are bound to arise in marriage. People don’t run away from home. The challenge is to remain committed and resolve fairly. Once you are committed to a relationship, compromising is necessary. That brings success in marriage.”

“I am sick of living with him.” She scoffed and let out an exasperated sigh.

“What do you mean by sick of living with him? Did he hit you?” Henry gently slammed his fist on the table.

“No.” Her answer was brief.

“Do you suspect any extramarital affair?” Henry clenched his hands.

“He is not that kind of a person,” she declined. “His ethical values are strong.”

“In that case, what is the issue?” Brigitte raised her voice. “You must have done something wrong. Are you cheating on your husband?”

“You are talking senselessly. If that was the case, why would I come home? I would have eloped with him.” Stella’s lips curled in disdain.

“Eloped with whom?” Henry scolded.

“I would have eloped with my love interest,” she clarified. “Currently I have no other man in my life.”

“Are you hurt by any insensitive comments from Edmond?” Brigitte tried to be pleasant and friendly. “Men speak less. However, sometimes their tongue can be sharper than a knife. It is not deliberate. It just happens. Being a married woman, I tell you. We will have to act prudently and ignore such remarks. Men tend to speak rubbish many times. Don’t take him seriously.”

“There is no such conflict,” Stella denied.

“Is it related to your physical relationship?” Brigitte continued. “Lack of physical intimacy can lead to verbal and emotional distance between partners. Nothing to worry about. There are therapists who can help you out. Life becomes normal over a period.”

“That is not the issue,” Stella reluctantly replied.

“Then what is the issue?” Henry scratched his head. “Why are you refusing to go back to your husband?”

“He is not my type,” Stella remained adamant.

“What do you mean by not your type?” Brigitte lost her cool. “You can never be his type. He is a man and you are a woman. The difference will always remain.”

“You don’t understand,” Stella sobbed.

“Then make us understand,” Henry insisted. “Don’t talk in riddles.”

“Let me try to explain,” Stella showed the intent to communicate. “Mom, do you still remember the advice you gave me the night before my marriage?”

“What did I say?” Brigitte struggled hard to recollect.

“You told me; fights are common in marriage and getting angry with each other is perfectly normal and healthy,” Stella reminded. “I was so excited when you mentioned that conflicts are essential to strengthen intimacy in a relationship. I truly believed that fights enhance love and keep couples together.”

“So, what is the conflict that you are not able to resolve?” Henry apprehensively asked.

“Conflict with Edmond?” Stella sneered. “He is unbelievable and just does not respond to conflicts. He completely ignores my anger. Whenever I abuse him and his clan, he just smiles. It is so frustrating. I scream at him and tell him to leave the bedroom. He walks out and sleeps on the couch as if nothing happened. How could anyone be so cool and normal? He does not yell at me. I am choked by his calmness. He is so boring. No excitement. I am fed up. It is suffocating. I want to divorce him!”