Teatime, Dutytime and Quality Time.

My wife has a special liking for me sitting in the morning to have tea with her. She prepares tea herself to the best of her choice with great enthusiasm. While the tea session continues she doesn't forget to ask at least twice as to how good the tea was or otherwise. But she is honest enough to admit herself if such making ,upon taste, is found to be mawkish. But the only condition is that I am not supposed to disclose it whenever it's so without her return remark that in fact the tea so prepared is good enough and not bad from any respect.She goes on to explain that it was purposely made with less of sugar or milk or not properly boiled only because of her concern for my health with a reminder that I am diabetic. If, out of ignorance, I protest I earn the displeasure in terms of a further remark that I lack qualities of a connoisseur. So I always play safe to assert that the tea was good and then make it a point to wait for her reply which in that case is based on what actually she felt as to the taste of tea. She, in her own right, is a connoisseur of tea and takes pride in it to claim that teatime has been her favourite pastime since her early childhood days. She,very often, happily recounts how,during her school days,all her brothers and sisters would sit together to enjoy this teatime.

Her ulterior motive happens to stretch this teatime  by way of chequered talks on a number of issues ranging from family affairs including others' to politics.

 In the meantime comes the newspaper that enables me to turn the topic to political potpourri which all newspapers abound in these days in the name of politics. She feels delighted to opine on all matters of political interests for the masses and very often puts forth her own explanation that leaves me sometimes agape to say the least.    

But in the course of such inconsequential conversation she forgets that she encroaches upon my "Getting Ready Time" to set out for my "Duty-Time" in the office.Very often,to her disappointment and sometime displeasure, I have to leave the conversation halfway in order that I am ready for my office.

So this "teatime" is very important for her. She delights to call it "Quality Time"

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Incidentally an article that was published today in the newspaper was titled "Don't Waste Your Time" 

The article went on to highlight that time is precious. (I suppose everyone knows this without appreciating it) The article reads like-"If you waste your time it can never be retrieved unlike material and money." It asserted  further that one can get even god but can't rewind the time that one wastes by dishonouring it.

                           Keeping in mind that I must appear to her a little rational,sensible and reverential of time I started reading the article aloud. 

                          She got the cue and asked me -Do you mean to say that this teatime of mine is a "waste of time"?

I whined to say- "I don't mean that."

Reading my face, she continued-Do you know what is meant by "waste of time"?

I thought better not to reply. Rather I waited for an answer to be given by herself.

She said-

** "That time is the waste of it which passes on activities that make you feel dejected,derelicted and devoid of enthusiasm.

** That time is the waste of it which passes on activities that have no relevance for not only your present or future physical, economic & social well being but also for mental health. The teatime is a recognised relaxant. I should better study ergonomics.

** That time is the waste of it which passes on activities that make one feel belittle.

** That time is the waste of it which passes on activities that make one unhappy.

** That time is the waste of it which passes on activities that bring us farther from godly qualities which are not many but only a few like kindness, compassion and cooperation.

And all time that is spent on activities contrary to what I have just said is simply "Quality Time" She concluded."

I had,as usual,nothing to offer as a counter. 

R.R.Prabhakar.

20.01.2021.