I'm his wife...

I was alone at home, when a credit card guy called up for some address confirmation. He asked a few questions about him and then asked me, may I know whom am I talking to?

I replied automatically, "I'm his wife". It was after I hung up that I realized the change. The automatic answer without hesitation meant a lot of things. When we got married, after every few days, one of us would say, "Can you believe it, we got married!!" We were both too thrilled to actually digest and get used to the idea of being so closely bound. And we were so used to of being regarded as best friends and then beloveds that words husband and wife sounded entirely other. They used to sound absurd! He kept on putting my title as Ms. while booking air tickets, "This Mrs. stuff just doesn't suit you", he said. I still remember the amazing humor he had on my expense when the maids who came to work after our marriage entitled me as "bhabhi". As soon they turned their backs, he used to laugh his head out. But despite of the absurdity the factual words started sinking in. He actually took great pride in introducing me to people at his office parties, "My wife, Anusha.." And today, after two and a half years of simple pleasure, this automatically ingrained answer I gave to the credit card guy just made me realize that, the long lasted love, respect and trust between two of us has actually transformed to a more strong, more intense bond. Absurdity all consumed by time, now it doesn't give me just pleasure of claiming him as mine... but also relief because of this ultimate sense of belonging. I realized that, I still blush a bit, but I'm also proud when I say, "I'm his wife".