Gloat

'Ankit Chhabra is feeling fantastic with Monika Chhabra at Bourgogne & Montana Paris 🥂'
Read his status on the social media platform.

As Jeet scrolled through the numerous pictures posted by Ankit of his ongoing visit to France. He tapped the like button without checking into the complete set of pictures and quickly ran his fingers over the keyboard
"Nice Pictures bro...enjoy 😊" he wrote and posted.

However, as is often the case, reality was different, Jeet felt sadness slowly engulfing his heart. 'Some people are more fortunate' he thought keeping his phone away.

Ankit was working with a leading consultancy firm based in Gurgaon and his wife Monika was a business analyst in a media house, both were doing well in their professional and personal lives.

The trip was a gift by Ankit to his wife on their anniversary.

Jeet on the other hand had not been so fortunate, he had been working with a relatively unknown consumer durable brand on a salary that was barely sufficient to make his ends meet, forcing his wife Sujata to take up a teaching job in a small private school. Their days were often full of anxiety and nights restless.

'Monika too would post pics on her social media handle, how would Sujata feel about this' Jeet thought.

"Breakfast is ready, come Jeet" he heard Sujata call him to the dining table.

Once there, Jeet constantly kept  looking at Sujata's phone that lay near her. "Are you not getting late for school today?"
"Perhaps you should hurry and get ready" he said.

"Oh! I forgot to send a message to the Principal, I would go by 11:30, just need to get some rest, I am not feeling well today" she informed.

"What happened?" Asked Jeet "You did'nt tell me anything"

"Its nothing, don't worry, perhaps exertion, feeling breathless and uneasy since morning" she informed picking up the mobile to key in the message.

Once the message was sent, she began checking the numerous notifications that had cropped up on the status bar.

"I think we should go to the doctor, you talked to me about the same symptoms last week as well" said Jeet

"Will have the antacid, why waste a thousand bucks, I will be fine" she replied swiping off the unwanted notifications, till she stopped and tapped on one.

Jeet sat quietly sipping his tea, waiting for her reaction.

"Monika and Ankit are in France" she exclaimed tapping onto the status that had 26+ mentioned on it indicating the number of pictures to view.

"Hmmm.." replied Jeet in a low hiding tone.

Silence persisted thereafter, both Jeet and Sujata could understand that it would not be appropriate to discuss anything on the uncalled for topic that had cropped up.

This post on social media to garner likes and comments had turned this morning darker for them, it had suddenly, as if placed Jeet beneath a lens under the hot sun, amplifying the heat of his status and scorching him from within.

The show off and unintentional Gloat that comes free with such posts had suddenly forced them to stand before a mirror reflecting their social status.

There were no more words exchanged at the dining table thereafter. Their silence was apt enough to convey their feelings •