| Robert Gates expects everything to be in order and | | | | habits have undergone a drastic change. His social |
| streamlined. His family members were worried for | | | | interactions speak volumes of change in his individual |
| expected scenario of fault finding exercise, and the | | | | life. It appeared that his vision has been camouflaged. |
| day begins with a bang. The sequence of events | | | | He could see things as vague and notices few |
| commences with panic and commotions. The house | | | | irregularities. This post married effect on his life was |
| hold items and other articles have to be in designated | | | | obvious in all unofficial social gatherings. However, his |
| places. In short, the house resembles like a well | | | | professional performance has remained very strong |
| decorated foyer of a hotel. | | | | and impressive. Although his result oriented actions |
| He wanted to marry a poor but educated girl. She | | | | have been recognized unquestionably by all, yet his life |
| should be from a cultural and financial backward family | | | | has been severely affected negatively. |
| background. An alliance was arranged and a qualified | | | | All relatives and friends started distancing from him. He |
| girl was selected. She successfully completed her | | | | was becoming lonely and jittery. The once a |
| university degree. However, her stagnant intelligence | | | | perfectionist had become just the opposite. He realised |
| was conspicuous by the absence of appropriate | | | | the root cause of all the changes, but it has become |
| knowledge corresponding to her education. She grew | | | | too late to do any damage control. The silver lining in |
| in an environment of narrow thinking, which made her | | | | the dark clouds were that he has been blessed with a |
| shortsighted and insolent. The prevailing circumstances | | | | baby girl. She was a very well behaved and friendly |
| of poor dwelling have also made her family pessimistic | | | | child. He started liking her and tried his best to pacify |
| in their outlook. The lad ignored the advice of friends | | | | the situation as and when required. His house which |
| and relatives and went ahead with his sole decision. | | | | was once admirable in terms of arrangements, |
| The immature and hasty decision has shocked the | | | | neatness and cleanliness, have become untidy and |
| near and dear alike. The families' school of thoughts | | | | haphazard. The inability and ignorance of his wife have |
| differs divergently. However, everything fell in line with | | | | done insignificant contribution in the house. Her myopic |
| his desires. Finally, the date was finalized for marriage | | | | and shortsightedness coupled with like minded people's |
| ceremony. | | | | advice has done substantial damage. |
| On the appointed day, the marriage took place and | | | | He learnt the lesson in a hard way about the |
| ritual rites were performed. The noticeable difference | | | | consequences of such alliance. He understood the |
| in family status between bride and bridegroom was | | | | price he has to pay for his wrong decision. Probably, |
| phenomenal. The events were witnessed both with | | | | his first divorce has made a profound impact on his life. |
| amusements and shock. The cultural shock was | | | | He has shaken a bit. He also realised that if he doesn't |
| distinct and clear. The post marriage revelation of | | | | reconcile the domestic issues at the earliest then it will |
| expected scenario, within a short span of time, was | | | | be bound to affect his professional life too. He was |
| obvious. Subsequently, the marriage progress was | | | | getting a bit nervous in taking advice from near and |
| moving like a rudderless ship. Their life was drifting | | | | dear one. However, as the days pass, some good |
| along with the stream of strong current of habits and | | | | sense seems to prevail upon him. He started mending |
| behavior. His line of thinking has deteriorated gradually | | | | his ways and expected some positive response. He |
| and steadily towards the dark pit of ignorance and | | | | remembered a famous saying that, "The show must |
| arrogance. | | | | go on." But it is also true that, "Old habits die hard." It |
| The change in attitude and behavior of the lad has | | | | appears that he is caught between the devil and the |
| become distinct and noticeable. The effect of his | | | | deep sea. Probably, time will change things favourably |
| wife's company has made inroad in his individuality. His | | | | for them. |