The Birth Day That Came Immediately After Marriage Poem by Bashyam Narayanan

The birth day that came immediately after marriage
We were married in the first fortnight of September
It was an arranged marriage
My mother’s elder sister came out with this alliance
As she was related to them through her husband
A distance of about 1100 kilometers separated us
He did not mind his being absent in our engagement too
As he believed his parents would not select
An un-matching life partner for him
He made his presence in the engagement after persuasion
I chose my husband from a range of proposals
I preferred him for his simplicity and unassuming traits
As the rest others were imposing a number of things
Which were beyond our affordability and acceptance
In an attempt to get to know the other
We spent a lot time talking about each other
Events in the childhood
College days
Friends
Office, the work therein
Eating habits and similar a lot
I did not know that
He did not care to note my birth day
Though these details were available to my in-laws
My birthday came
My expectation of a greeting from him went a waste
He was getting prepared to go office as usual
Minding not my awaiting
He left for office bidding me bye
None at home took a note of my birthday
I was not of course used to great celebrations
But, there would be some kind of wishing
Nothing like that from any corner
Came evening and came he from office
I minced words to convey to him that
It was my birthday
No excitation, no greet
But a silent reception of the information
I went further to say
That I needed some hairpins
He enquired as to from where I may get them
I detailed him the way and the shop from where he may get
He followed my suggestions
Came back with the hairpins
But, yes he got the right ones
I thanked him for this birthday gift
Which, according to him was bought for ten paise
One tenth of an Indian Rupee
What a gift
What a birthday