The sisterhood

I sit there sipping my early morning tea. She sits there on the low chair in a corner, thoughtful, sun shining on her face… She says “Bhabhi, mera ek ladka tha… Dus saal ka tha… Koi usko utha ke le gaya… Uska Bahot yaad aata hain” I look at her. For the first time, I see so much of pain on her face… She is my househelp

She then fondly talks about her daughter (my once upon a time house help) and tells me how she has always lived like a princess… being the youngest how pampered shez been… It reminds me of all the times I have thought of her as ‘someone trying desperately to fit in’.

I sit by the sit of my window, reading a book when Maa’s nurse comes and sits by the side of the bed… I assume she feels like talking… And so we chat… “Bhabhi mera aadmi haraami tha…” she says… “15 saal hua lekin main usko yaad nahi karti… bhuddha bhuddhi chhod kar gaya… woh logo bhi harami hain”… I smile which is loaded with both amusement and compassion at this petite otherwise extremely elegant, graceful and polite woman… Then she tells me about her life… Later she comes to me again… I am furiously typing away on my laptop… “Bhabhi mujhe methi ka ladoo ka recipe internet mein dekh kar batao… jab bhi time rahega aapke paas”

I am lying on the bed when the massage wali comes brimming with joy… “Bhabhi maine apne aadmi ka death certificate nikala. I look at her appalled. “Harami ne kisi musalman se shaadi ki… Ab woh to gaya, ghar to rahe mere paas.”

I am making my diet sandwich when the cook comes in “Bhabhi, Jevla Kahi Banaiche Aahe?”… While she is chopping the vegetables she tells me “Main apne mummy ke ghar chali gayi… Woh kal raat phir pi kar aaya tha… Bahot jhagda kiya…” Another Harami I assume 🙂

These are all strong women… They meet life head-on each day… At times I see them sitting in the park of my complex laughing, not a care in the world… My work arrangement gives me all the time to indulge, to watch them closely…I am beginning to realize that women always needs their girlfriends around… they are like sisters they pick for themselves!