I considered the question, not as a question to taste me but as a self judgment of inferiority complex… as an under estimation of one's own ability… I took time-time to cleanly wipe off such feeling, even if an iota of it remained within me.. my own mental make up, and replied.
 "Why do you feel like this? I think getting a degree is just passing the examination whereas real education consists in assimilating knowledge. Getting degree is cramming the books for the whole year and reproducing them on the examination paper. If you have not crammed the books, you are mentally more  healthy, open to accept new information: I have married you …… not the absence of your degree".
But now let me have your reply "Will you not at any time in your life, feel below dignity because of my higher education?.
The man did not reply… and his silence told many things  Even though,  I concluded; he was physically healthy … there was a wide gulf in maturity level..
Any how the night would have ended without any untoward incidence-but just then my husband took out a bottle of wine…This was too much for me…Even though my father was a Policeman, wine, drinks, non-vegetarian food had not reached our Brahmin house: I  could not stand this test-the gulf between two life styles.
I was after all a Hindu wife-Indian woman… I tried unsuccessfully for three - not one- days and nights to persuade my husband to stop drinking. When I saw the futility of my efforts, I felt  I have to decide between my righteousness and the evil of drinking.
The decision was clear. I  returned to my Parents' home- once and for all.
My father proved to be very "understanding". He simply asked "What are your plans for future?"
I  said, "Papa, let me be with you" I can not live in that Drinker's Den : and if you permit me to stay here, I promise, through out my life, I will uphold my character…There will not be any action/occasion degrading our family's name/image". For the first and the last time, my head bowed down, not because of diffidence but because of the respect towards elders and there after this head has always been held high-remained high…like Mount Everest.
I  could convince my father but what about my mother? She was reluctant…She was afraid of my young age  and the consequences.
I  asked" Do you differentiate between a son and a daughter?" My mother - Menaba said" I do not differentiate between the two: I only accept the fact of life"
"Oh, then accept me - look at me- as your son and there will not be a problem." I said very lightly..