Short Story
BY JOSEPH SOBOKA
A newly married couples, only two weeks since they got married, were closely sitting side by side as the fever of love has engulfed them and they were willingly submerged in it. It is more of early marriage, the husband, barely twenty-two and while she is exactly twenty. The new realm of life has not yet put them under control to impose on them the inevitable pressure of life which is lurking ahead of them. The savor of fresh union which they had been yearning is still fresh, leaving no room for future anticipation.
Their burning philosophy is us, now and here, without interference of any form. It never occurs to them that it is just short-lived fleeting time, quite difficult to track it down. Such bliss comes once in life time and gradually wanes like the decreasing brightness of the moon only leaving precious memory behind.
While they are in such sensational mood, suddenly Chaltu, hanging on the collar of Asfaw, her husband, asked, “Tell me please, will this sensational time last forever?”
“I wish it would,” replied her husband with hesitation.
“There is nothing more pleasing than such divine relationship in this wide world. I can’t trade it for anything the world can offer,” she asserted.
Asfaw, who was slightly better than her regarding the situation said, “All people are of similar opinion with you. Yet, love, too, presents its own bill that we have to settle. Nothing remains smooth as it is forever. No matter how things get rough along the path of love, in spite of the inter-current pains of all sorts, sustained happiness can do a miracle. Love must be kept from failing at all cost. We need to cling to the love we are enjoying now whatsoever,”
“How can we succeed in love if it sets challenges as you have told me a while ago?” Chaltu sternly asked him.
He shuddered and emotionally stood transfixed as she put such a question to which he had no ready-made answer.
“Success is relative. It is the gaining of what is aimed,” answered her husband.
After thinking for a while, “What do you mean by gaining what is aimed?” she asked.
It did not take him long to answer her question. “Well,” he said, “Success or failure, the choice is yours.”
“I’m afraid you are making things more complicated. Could you please elaborate it a bit more?” And she kept looking the other way as if she was afraid to look into his eyes.
“If I can put it the way you can understand, it is nothing but Possibility Thinking,” said her husband.
“If it is as simple as you say, can it be for you and me, meaning for us?” “I firmly believe that it can, if we only cling to the steady love I previously told you about,” he replied.
Chaltu drew closer to him and leaning on his shoulder, “If you excuse me, how can we be successful in our marriage as such?”
Asfaw thought that his wife was burdened and heavy laden with the idea. And she was rather in despair, and was afraid that she may not have the capability to actualize it.
“Honey, from what I gather, it has worked for others and there is no reason why it does not for us. The Possibility Thinking works wonders for those who practice it. Thousands of persons have achieved incredible goals and overcome threatening obstacles and handicaps with the help of possibility thinking,” he assured her.
“Now I am beginning to see the light to that end. If I am correct, everything is in the mind,” she said to prove to him that she has grasped what has been trying to bring to her attention.
Holding her hands firmly as a reassurance, he said, “It takes two of us to materialize our goal; it is not a single person venture. It is rather a team work. Two heads are better than one.”
While they are in that situation, there came the sound of a gentle knock on the door. They both jumped and sat in different places. Asfaw stepped to the door and opened it only to find his mother in law. “Oh my God; Mom come in, please,” at the same time leading her to the living room.
Chaltu, as soon as she saw her mother, fell in her fold. After the kisses and hugging, “Why are you here, mom?” she asked her mother.
“As a loving mother, I missed you so much and thought of visiting you,” replied.
Thank you Mom, we are glad to have you here with us,” said Asfaw after he, too, hugged her.
“Thank you my children,” said W/ro Mihiret. In addition, she said, “I see you must be on something serious.”
Chaltu asked her mother if she cared for a cup of coffee. Her mother gladly accepted the offer.
“Do you want it black or with creamer?” asked Chaltu.
“I’d rather have it black. We old timers are used to drinking coffee without any additive.
By the way how are getting along with your new life? New experience, at times, is not easy to adjust to. But from what I see, you are doing fine,” said her mother.
Chaltu was surprised how her mother came to know what they had been discussing. She thought, parents are indeed well attuned to the pros and cons of married life. Experience has taught them well as to how to go about with it.
“What makes you say like that Mom? Just before your arrival, we were discussing how to be successful in marriage. I am really surprised, how is it possible for you to mention it out?” Chaltu asked her mom.
“To put it in a nutshell, my children, a successful marriage has to do with the partners fully understanding themselves and appreciating their flaws and shortcomings and being able to compromise through it all. It is about selflessness and faithfulness. To me, a successful marriage is about commitment, companionship and communication. Communicate clearly and often. Tell your spouse that you’re thankful for having him or her in your life • Make time for you two. The feelings you have for each other must be contagious love,” she said.
After having listened to the discussion between his wife and her mother, Asfaw interfered, “In that case you mean that pecuniary matter is a secondary issue,”
“You are absolutely right. Even though it is indispensable, money cannot buy true love. Obviously, it is important for the provisions of life’s amenities; the family needs food, clothing and shelter, medication and of course savings,” said his mother-in-law.”
“Mom, love or money, which is of more value in marriage?” enquired Chaltu.
“It is a good question you have raised. Love and money are two things that individuals feel strongly about. A lot of relationships are started because of the need for either of the two. Love is a behavior. A relationship thrives when partners are committed to behaving lovingly through continual, unconditional giving. Intimate love emanates from knowledge and giving, it comes not overnight but overtime which nearly always means after marriage. The intensity many couples feel before marrying is usually great affection boosted by commonality and anticipation. Yet, on the other hand, money can be described as a person’s wealth, including properties. Thus, money is an aspect of marriage which must not be neglected. Maintaining the right proportion of both can create a successful marriage,” said W/ro Mihiret to which the couples agreed. Experience has a great deal to offer in ascertaining success in marriage.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 14/2021
