This one’s absolutely original, very recent, and unadulterated by fancy key-phrases or SEO jargon.

A conversation my husband and I had as we waited for our train to my hometown. We are known amongst our loved ones to have serious conversations at weird places. The last one occurred in our friend’s bathroom as we smoked (up).

So. AJ (husband) is all psyched up about the new project we will launch very soon. One of the reasons for our shared excitement is that I will be a part of it.

Lampooning me, he says, “You sure you are going to be super into it?” Not going to lie; he has his reasons for scepticism, that is, me procrastinating till the deadline and getting bored faster than the ice melts. But hey, who doesn’t do that?

Anyway, so, I say- Yes, absolutely. I am as into it as you are.

Him: Well, we will see, given your track record.

It takes immense power in me not to roll my eyes at him. But I take this opportunity to explain my stance.

Here I go- Look, you have all the reasons to believe how I might get bored or leave it midway. And I don’t want to say it to you, but- your approval matters to me. Yes, I know it shouldn’t because we are partners and all, but-

He cuts me off before jumping in, “Listen, I understand your feelings about us starting something together and how you feel the urge to prove yourself to me. But you don’t have to tell me all of it.”

I ask him why. He says, “See, I have built a mindset over these years based on how I have experienced life. And when you express things like these, I find myself backing off. Because they contradict my learnings.”

Upon asking me how my expression contradicts his beliefs, he replies, “I feel that not always we need to express our feelings. Some things don’t need to be spoken about. We can just let them be.”

My brow quirks up and he further explains, “Your expression makes it concrete and I find myself uncomfortable. And then I feel confused as how to respond.”

“So, are you implying you will close yourself off to something that makes you a bit uneasy, like this conversation?” I say.

“No. I am not closing off. But I treasure what I have learnt. And by talking about what goes on in our heads, I think it further complicates things.” He replies.

“Hmm, interesting take. But you know, AJ, the dynamics you and I share are not overtly professional. We have been married for over a decade. I believe it’s super safe to express ourselves as we are. Our relationship practically urges us to be vulnerable without any shame or fear of judgement. How are we supposed to know how to better support each other if we don’t open up? How am I supposed to know what’s bothering you if you don’t speak about it? You don’t need to NOT express yourself just because the world around you functions in a certain fashion. You know, it’s totally okay if we express so long as the other person listens.” I stop only to find some curious faces around us looking at us, nodding.

He briefly regards me before saying, “So, it’s okay for me to be vulnerable?”

A part within me warms at the innocence and beauty of this conversation. I beam at him and say an excited YES, eliciting more stares.

And just on a cue, our train arrives.