My Wife's Pregnancy Proves That I'm A Pampered Husband

I am a normal Indian guy, who grew up in a sheltered, progressive and sometimes, no-nonsense family, where choices were respected, but tradition would be followed. So, like the burgeoning millions, I studied Engineering and went on to pursue a graduate degree in Business studies. While I am not entirely sure that I have done all that I could do in life, and be all that I can be, one thing that I am certain about is that I’ve been fortunate to be just who I am, and to do just what I could do. And, I have my beautiful wife to thank for that.

When my parents first spoke to me about marriage, I freaked out. It was to be the great family tradition, complete your studies at a predeclared age, and get married shortly after. Landing a job was for numpties. But, I fought that trend and worked for another two years, until my parents began to put me under all kinds of pressure, and I buckled.

Ten years on, I think it was the best thing that my Mom forced me into, apart from eating that palak (spinach) dal, which gave me strong bones. Indeed, my loving wife is nothing short of an angel, and my little girl is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have a history of freaking out at times, and when I learned that I was going to be a dad, freaking out just couldn’t cut it.

I remember the visit to the OB/GYN, and when she told us that I was going to be a father soon. I don’t remember experiencing a wider gamut of emotions ever in my life. But, more than anything, my wife’s pregnancy made me realize that I had been a spoiled husband.

One of the biggest changes that pregnancy brought in my life was that my wife stopped letting me have my way with things. Suddenly my way of doing things, and my breakfast times, lunch times, and dinner times had to be more in sync with my wife’s. While this had not been a problem earlier in our marriage, gradually my wife started opening up to me more, and things began to take on a more balanced look. She spoke her mind about her feelings and all those “I’m fine” moments and standoffs reduced.

I was taken aback initially, and I wondered whether it was just those extra hormones that were making her have a go at me, or was she simply nagging me. But, this was all about me not getting to have my way anymore.

Five months into her pregnancy, Parvati looked like a mess. Swollen lips, nausea and bloating had all caught up with her. Exhausted, she soldiered on, the only light at the end of the tunnel was to be the feeling of holding her progeny in her hands.

I must admit, I was chuffed about having a baby, but inevitably, the reality dawned on me. I stayed up late at nights calculating and recalculating every little expense, right up to my unborn baby boy’s or girl’s college education. I had to draw out policies and set up funds for everything. All of it terrified me.

I imagined myself driving my teen girl right up to the school gate so I could keep boys in check, or being summoned to the principal’s office for my little boy’s misgivings. Needless to say, I was getting slightly ahead of myself.

Parvati sat in front of me, with her basketball belly jutting out proudly in front of her. The nurse applied some green jelly on her stomach.

When I saw my little one’s black and white image come onto the screen, I don’t know what came over me. All those nights wondering how I will make enough money, all those trust funds just froze. A change came over me; an emotion so overpowering that I was helpless in the face of it.

My wife’s attitude towards me, her strictness, and her no-nonsense approach now all made sense. She had been putting up with it because she loved me, but now she only loved me more, and so did I. It was at that moment I realized how spoiled I am as a husband, and so lucky to have an angel wife in my life.

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