One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

‘Five. Just an hour earlier,’ I lied. I hadn’t slept at all.
‘You do look tired.’
‘It’s okay. I will be fine.’ I cut a piece of pancake.
‘Radhika, I want to say something,’ Debu said.
I know you will say sorry. It is okay, I said to myself. He must feel guilty now after he saw
how much I care for him.
‘What?’
‘This is really sweet.’
‘Thanks. So are you. A sweet gesture for my sweet boyfriend.’
‘Thank you, Radhika. This is really sweet but.. .’
‘But what?’
‘Today you are making breakfast like this. This is awesome. But I am not happy.’
‘Not happy about what, baby?’
‘Us.’
‘Why? Is this about last night? We were both angry,’ I said. I found it difficult to swallow the
slice of banana in my mouth.
‘It’s not just about yesterday or about being angry. I have been thinking about it for many days.
Weeks, actually.’
‘Really? And you didn’t discuss it with me?’ I said. I felt a little stupid about cooking all
morning.
‘There is nothing to discuss. I know I am not happy.’
‘You are bored of me?’
‘Don’t be stupid.’
‘So?’
‘I am being calm, okay? But I have an image of the wife I want. The mother of the kids I want.
I am not judging you, but I think I want a housewife.’
‘What?’ I said. My fork almost fell out of my hands.
‘It’s what I have seen growing up. I go to work, make the money. Wife takes care of the home.
Simple needs, happy family.’
‘What are you talking about, Debu? Didn’t you say women could achieve anything today?
Didn’t you encourage me when I had to apply for distressed debt?’
‘I did. I still admire you. I respect all women who achieve big things. I think it is great.. .’
‘But you can’t be with them?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe not. Maybe I could. But you made me think about marriage and I did. I
visualized a future home. I would like my wife to be there for me and my kids.’
‘And I can’t be that?’
‘Will you leave your job?’
‘Why, Debu? Why do I have to leave it? I like it. It’s rewarding and fulfilling to me.’
‘What about the home?’
‘What about the home? You are going to work too, right? Why can’t I?’
‘Oh, so you want to work and I stay at home?’
‘I didn’t say that, but why do I have to choose one of the two?’
‘I get it.’
‘What, Debu?’
‘You make more money. I should quit my job, right, not the high-flying you?’