One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

‘So I am thinking. I don’t know. I had this idea of what the mother of my kids would be like.’
‘Huh? Mother of your kids?’ I said. Sometimes, Debu talks such whacko stuff, I wonder what
they smoke in their ad agency offices.
‘Yeah. It’s important, right? What kind of mother I want for my kids,’ Debu said.
‘Sure. I want a good father for my kids too. Can you come to the point?’
‘So are you going to keep working like this or leave work once you have kids?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet. I’d like to work if possible.’
‘You think you can?’
‘Let’s see. Will have to work it out. If I make as much money as I do I can afford full-time
help, take a house close to work, have our parents come.. .’
He interrupted me.
‘See, this is what I am not sure about.’
‘What?’
‘When you talk in such practical terms.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Like, if you are like this, in this hard job, “fire the workers” kind of role, would you even be
affectionate towards our kids?’
‘What the fuck, Debu!’ I shouted.
‘See, now you are losing it. Then you say you want to discuss things!’
‘This is not a discussion. You are talking bullshit. Making sweeping judgements.’
‘I am not. Okay, I like you. I love you. But I want my kids’ mother to be at home for them.’
‘Maybe I will be. If needed.’
‘See, you are not sure. You have this hi-fi mega-paying job.’
‘My job will have nothing to do with my commitment as a mother. Do you get it?’
We stared at each other in silence for about thirty seconds. He finally spoke again.‘I don’t
think I can do this. Really, I can’t.’
My heart stopped for a second. Did he just propose a break-up? Oh my God, had the only man
who ever loved the unlovable me threatened to leave me?
I turned my volume down and spoke in a calm voice. ‘Debu. What’s the matter with you? Why
are you being like this?’
He shrugged.
‘Work stress?’
‘No.’
‘Is it the call? Listen, this is the distressed debt business. Don’t get so affected. It’s business.’
‘Not only that.’
I checked the time. It was midnight. I had to wake up at 6.30 to prepare for an early morning
meeting.
‘Debu, calm down. Sorry I snapped at you. I will try to be understanding, okay?’
I went up behind him and hugged him.
‘This is not the time to talk about such things. It’s my mistake,’ I said.
‘It’s fine,’ he said, disentangling my arms.
‘Shall we go to bed?’ I said.
He nodded.
We slipped under the sheets. I took off my nightsuit and drew him closer.
‘I’m tired. Goodnight, baby,’ he said and turned away from me.