Whom We Never Notice!

(Chandrakali is a washer-woman working for me(this contradicts what I said in my previous post, if you were careful while reading it). She is an aged woman, about the age of Sixty (I must warn that I am not good at guessing ages, she might be older). She is plump. The skin on her face and hands is lax. She has grey hair with perhaps one or two strands of black ones. She is pretty fair (I presume that she must have been good-looking when young). She also has cataract because one can see those prominent white rings, one develops around one's cornea when one has the disease (and mom will correct me if I am wrong here). Her teeth are distorted and have spaced outm which is a sign of old age. She is always dressed in a kurta-pyjama. During winters she carries a dark-green shawl. She is loud and strident. She smells clean and she has an inveterateness of giving a bang on my door every afternoon(waking me from my slumber) and having a small palaver with me before getting to her job. So, I do entertain her. What follows is a conversation between me and Chandrakali.)


Chandrakali (tellingly): The first day I came here the landlord asked me how much I will charge him for my services. I was clear that I won't accept anything below Rs. 500. They have four members in the family. I'll be made to wash so many clothes. The Old Woman was indignant. She said I was doing nothing but extorting money. She sits the whole day and watches Television. She is earning so much money out of this P.G. and she cannot give me the small amount I asked for. After all, it’s us who have to do laborious work. We have to wash clothes in cold water. Can't we ask for this much?

Me (not knowing what to say but completely in her favour): Yes!

Chandrakali (changing the topic): Will you pay me for this month?

Me: Yes, two minutes I'll get the money.

(I take out the money from my wallet and give it to her.)

Chandrakali (with a smile): Can I get Rs. 50 advance. You can cut 50 next month.

Me (pulling out a 50 Rupee note from the wallet): Take it.

Chandrakali (thankfully, she puts her hands on my head to bless me): May God bless you. May you pass in your exams. May your parents be happy. May you do well in life.

Me (overwhelmed, still not knowing what to say): Yes.

Chandrakali: That was your mother (who came a few days back)?

Me: Yes.

Chandrakali (amused): Oh she is also nice!

Me: Yes.

Chandrakali: I'll get to work now.

(After several minutes pass I see her climbing up the staircase to the terrace. The heavy bucket of clothes in one hand and the other hand on her knee. She groans in pain but doesn't stop. )