Don't little things have huge value?

“Little things. They matter. Little things are little because they demand no or less effort. Little things matter because the impact they have on us is lasting. Let me give you an instance: You walk with your partner on the side of the road. Your partner shifts to your side while laughing with you, silently and tenderly protecting you from the traffic.” Mishka waited and looked at each face sitting in the audience.

A gentle murmur swam across the hall.

“Let me give another one. You are in the kitchen, baking chapatis for everyone and your partner appear, carrying his empty plate. After placing it in the sink, they stand beside you asking whether they can do anything to help you.” She waited before continuing, and again there was a mass murmur in the hall indicating that they had all experienced those little things.

“See? They don’t need an extra effort. Little things cause a big change in your mood, your personality. Good little things bring back your smile after a long tiresome day. Good little things rejuvenate you for the tasks coming your way. Good little things lighten your mood up by silently announcing that you are not alone.” Mishka stopped registering a conclusion.

“Feel those good little things around you. From anyone. Right from partner to your kids, from your parents to your friends, from a stranger to your relative. And if you find none, start doing the good little things, because, they don’t need a lot of effort.”

Huge applause followed her as she descended from the podium. She retook her seat and her phone vibrated in her pants. Flashing a smile before her at the brightly flashing cameras, she shifted her focus on the phone. It was a message from her wife. Her smile had grown hundredfold as she read ‘Don’t forget to bring wine, love’ with a kiss and a heart. Zarina could be sweetly romantic sometimes. 

Typing a quick ‘Okay, baby’, she pressed the send button and kept her phone back in her pocket.

An hour later, she was through with the launch party of her new novel called ‘The Little Things in a Marriage.’


Signing books, giving autographs, smiling for selfies did take a toll on her as she hurried inside her car in sheer exhaustion.

It was 10 PM, and she opened her phone as she directed the driver to take her home.

Remembering she had to get wine, she asked Ram Lal Ji to stop by a liquor shop in the way.

A bottle of Fratelli Satte from the wine shop, flowers from a nearby florist who was closing down, red velvet cake from the adjoining bakery with ‘I love you’ on it; those were the things that Mishka had always wanted to present Zarina in their marriage of 6 years. But could never do. A special reason did not occur until now.

No, not Mishka’s book. It was Zarina.

Zarina was coming back from the hospital today. She had fully recovered. The best part was that she remembered Mishka as her girlfriend.

A car crash and a nearly fatal blow on Zarina’s head made her forget everything that happened six years ago. Their fights with their respective parents pertaining to their relationship and wish to marry, their struggle while their parents put a curfew on them, their pain when Mishka nearly lost her arm while jumping from her window to sneak out, to meet Zarina.

And today, Zarina was coming back. Doctors could not tell her with conviction whether her memory will ever resurface. But they looked hopeful. Hope. That was all Mishka needed. She needed her wife, the love of her life back. And for that, she was ready to become a stranger again. A stranger with whom Zarina was falling in love.

“On my way, Mademoiselle.” Mishka typed a message and sent.