The Husband

By Lahari Shetty

He woke up to the sound of the alarm clock

Having to wake so early seemed so cruel!

Tiptoed to the kitchen to make breakfast

The kids would be up soon, to get ready for school

As she stirred she could hear sounds in the kitchen

She smiled as she thought of him pottering about

Blessed was she to have a devoted house husband

She was a lucky woman, there was no doubt

They discussed the news as they sipped coffee

That girl from the neighbourhood was still missing

Must have eloped with the boy she was seeing, he said

Apparently the two had been caught kissing

The kids got ready to go, their tiffins packed

She picked her bag, kissed him goodbye

He waved as they got into the car and left

Closed the door behind him and let out a sigh.

He walked slowly to the warehouse he rented out

He looked at the girl lying helpless on the floor

There had been others too, she wasn’t the first

Who kept the animal in him alive, pretence no more.

By Lahari Shetty