Navy couples - Made for each other.

This is a Valentine's Day post. The title of this post sounds a bit parochial since it doesn't include the other services. Well, there is a reason. Read on...

When I was undergoing the Staff Course in Wellington (Nilgiris), in the Castle Quarters that we stayed in, there were three other houses : one belonging to an IAF officer and the other to two army officers. The IAF officer, Thakurdas and us occupied the ground floor whereas the Army officers, as always, were the upper-crust due to the sahayaks that they had at their disposal. So, while Lyn and I did everything with our own hands, the army sahibs and ladies had a number of flunkies helping them. When the rations were delivered, for example, we stood in the queues with their sahayaks while they looked down on us from their balconies, sipping Nilgiri tea and biting on cocktail idlis.

I got posted to the Naval Headquarters after that and after a few months of waiting, we were allotted a flat in SP Marg defence quarters. Our immediate neighbour was Colonel Surinder Singh of the Arty.

Once we were getting ready to go for an official party, when the doorbell rang and there stood Nachhinder, Col Surinder's wife. Both Surinder and Nachhinder were very genial and excellent neighbours and we had a great thing going as neighbours and friends.

When Lyn opened the door, she had my uniform shirt in her hand since she was in the process of fixing stripes and other paraphernalia.

This gave Nachhinder an opportunity to rag me though I was not present. "Look at yourself, Lyn." she said in mock horror, "Your good for nothing husband has converted you into a flunkie. Call him. I shall teach him not to ill-treat the lady of the house".

I was in inside room but could clearly hear the conversation.

"He can't come out now" replied Lyn with great finality.

"Aha" ejaculated Nachhinder in mock scorn, "The laat sahib is resting while you are doing all the menial work for him....."

"No" said Lyn, "He can't come out now because he is ironing my saree".

PS.

Now do you understand why navy couples are meant for each other?

PPS.

We also didn't have much though in our hearts we were rich and still are. On one of our early anniversaries, we bought a plaque and hung it in the house. It gave us enormous happiness and satisfaction. It read : "We don't have much but we have each other". We tried to make up with love what we lost because of not having flunkies and riches.   

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Initiated activities for our journey over the weekend.

The heat has picked up.