This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
It's been a week since Idd-Ul-Adha celebrations began in Dubai, and my wife Shiro has been keeping our children busy. This time, her presence has been a welcome relief, allowing me to focus on my work. As a parent, I'm no stranger to the numerous pamphlets and activities that come with every holiday season, but Shiro's enthusiasm has been a blessing.
However, our conversation took an unexpected turn when Shiro brought up my recent job change. She had been waiting for me to share the news, and I had been hesitant to discuss it with her. 'Babes, we need to talk,' she said, finally breaking the silence. I feigned ignorance, but she knew exactly what she wanted to discuss.
As we talked, Shiro's questions revealed her concerns about our financial situation. She asked about my new salary, the medical cover, and even the school fees allowance for our children. I was taken aback by her interest in these details, but I knew I had to be honest with her. 'Just know that it's better than my last one,' I said, trying to downplay the significance of the new job.
But Shiro was not satisfied with my vague answer. She wanted to know more about the package, and whether it was worth the change. I tried to reassure her, but she was not convinced. 'We might need to transfer the children to a better school,' she said, citing concerns about our son's reading challenges. I was taken aback by this statement, and I knew I had to investigate further.
As our conversation continued, Shiro's questions became more probing. She asked about my job title, whether I would be expected to travel, and even where my boss sat. I happily answered her questions, but I knew she was still fishing for more information. 'So, with your new salary, can we at least buy a house?' she asked, finally getting to the point. I laughed and said, 'Whoever said we cannot afford a house?' But I knew she would stop at nothing to find out how much I earn.
