Column

Less than a month after they celebrated Valentine's Day with a romantic candle-light dinner at a five-star restaurant, Mr Menon was in for a shock at the breakfast table when Mrs Menon served him idlis with sambar and then handed him a bill for Rs 100. "What is this?" he snapped. "Hundred bucks for two idlis and sambar? Even an Udipi restaurant doesn't charge more than Rs 20! These are five-star rates!"

Mrs Menon nodded and said, "You're right. It's Rs 20 for two idlis with sambar and the rest I'm charging you for the ambience. Because I'm the one who keeps this house neat and clean!"

Mr Menon soon realised that there was some force that was threatening to break up his marriage. And it wasn't long before he realised she was inspired by newspaper reports about certain human rights groups in Kerala launching a trade union for housewives and demanding minimum wages for them.

"I'm sorry," said Mrs Menon. "This isn't personal but henceforth I'll be entitled to benefits like LTA, medical, bonus and overtime."

Mr Menon took a deep breath and looked at his wife in the eyes. "Let me get this clear," he said. "What happens tomorrow if I've a problem with you? Do I drag you to the consumer court or the divorce court?"

There were many other questions that bothered him. "What if you get pregnant and we've a baby? Do I grant you maternity leave and fill up the temporary vacancy with someone suitable until you resume duties?"

That night Mr Menon slept on the couch. The next morning Mrs Menon read another news report that inspired her. This one was about an American woman named Erika who married the Eiffel Tower and changed her name to Erika La Tour Eiffel. When Mr Menon woke up, he found a note that said his wife had left him and was getting married to the Qutab Minar.

She also said in the note that she couldn't bear to be a salaried housewife in Mumbai which has been ranked the fifth worst city to work in the world by a study. Mr Menon tried to pacify her by saying that Mumbai's political leaders were working at doing something about that study.

"By tackling problems like poor infrastructure, political violence and pollution?" asked Mrs Menon.

"No," said Mr Menon. "By beating up whoever is responsible for that study and call for Mumbai Bandh."