Pinch of Salt

Our cook, by now had made a record of blunders. Everyday a new one! Coming late, half cooked meals, not cooking dal or sabji, uninformed leaves, disaster combination of mixed veggies (She once cooked a preparation of spring onion, zucchini and gherkins. God! It was so hard to gulp it down, just by the look of it. ), etc.

And when questioned, she had a handsome excuse every time. I often told her, “Why don’t you utilize this creative brains of yours in cooking meals rather than creating excuses for not cooking one !”.

This had become a daily routine now. But still, I was very upset with her the other day. She had tested my patience. After an invariably long day at office, I reached home late. All tired, exhausted and very hungry.Good food at dinner table can really smooth out a rough day and that’s exactly what I was really looking forward to. After an early morning start from Mumbai and a long day at office I felt so hungry that I thought I could even gulp an elephant for dinner. The first thing I did after reaching home, even before changing, was I rushed to the kitchen to check what was made for dinner.

Mmmmm ! Yummy !!! It was paneer burjee and dal !! I immediately had wash, said my prayers and set for dinner. But to my disappointment, there was no salt in burjee . I tasted the dal. It had double salt. Gosh!!!! Yet another time, our cook had messed up. I was fuming !! Is this what I get to eat after a hard day’s work and after paying a fat price? This is it !!! Tomorrow’s going to be her last day .

I somehow managed my dinner. It was edible since the combination didn’t taste salty. I was though, very determined to talk to her the next morning and tell her sternly that, she should start taking her job seriously and if things continued this way, i will have to look for better options.

But this time, after saying sorry for a couple times, she said something which made me forget the issue at hand and rather think.

"Madam , Ayusha hi asach asta ki ho! ".(Madam! Isn't life also the same? ).

Yes indeed ! She was right ! It had deep meaning ! Life is also full of moments some salty and some blanch ! But when we look back, it all seems like a one big feast. Whether or not life will even out on ‘D’ day (read Death Day ), time will only tell. But I am hopeful it will ! :)

Who Says Life is Fair ? Its up to U to make it Fair

"Kashya aahat Aaji?” (How are you, Granny?) , I called out, as I reached the platform to take Virar local. The pace of this city rarely gives u chance to wait back and say hello even to your neighbour, forget strangers. But yes, you manage to quench your thirst for socialising in the crowd packed local trains. I figured out two reasons for this. One you get a bigger pool of people to select from and second it is the best way to pass 2 hours of journey which is a daily task. I have also picked some moss rolling my way through these electrifying lanes.
Aaji always took 8:34 pm Virar local. Today it seemed she had missed it. "Aaj ushir zala.”(I got late today) she replied with a smile. She must be in her 60s or 70s.She had a face most delicate, pale and very lovely. Bent figure, wrinkled face, deep eyes, in which lied the experience of long ages. Meeting your look, she would smile, a smile full of warmth. Her white sari was faded and rugged, clearly indicating her not so good conditions, yet very clean and neat. Her stuff neatly packed in a worn-out bag. Train halted. She took her seat on the floor near the door.
Just then another lady asked, "Why do you work at this old age?"
Aaji replied, “What to do? I have to earn my living. But I am used to. I have done that all my life. Now I cannot sit at home idle. "
Like most grandparents love telling their stories, she started narrating hers. "I started working at age of seven, by helping my mom who was a house maid. Later I got married at fifteen. And as is the case in many low income households, my husband was a drunkard and died because of it. As such I had to take my own and my son’s responsibility. I lost my young 25 yr old son in a train accident. As such, I have to earn my living."
She begins her day at 4:00 am, with filling water. Water supply in Mumbai is restricted to some 1-2 hours especially in slums and chawls and the water timings are usually this weird. She and her sister then have tea with 2 Parle G biscuits, which is along with a banana at night is their only meal for the whole day. Her sister earns her living by doing some household work. At her age no one would offer her that work. She works in small scale packaging firm in Dadar. Although the firm manager does not give her any work, he pays her the wages for the efforts she takes to reach there every day. Alas! I thought, there are few good people around.
I got back to reading my book again. But the thought of her, lingered in my mind for long. I could sense there was some silence around. No not out of pity. Why should anyone pity her, when she herself didn’t? Possibly it was out of self introspection that everyone was doing, just like me. Here I was complaining and whining about small things in life. How mean I am I felt. I felt my insides churn. Poverty, grief, struggle neither could bring down this lady’s self respect. At her age she could have easily taken up to begging, asking for help and donations. But she still prefers to earn her living. She has the willingness and courage to face the world, start life all new. And even more she never had complaints from life. She taught me how life was full of hope. Very few people can make a difference to your life. She had in some way touched mine. Her smile was a tight slap in face of all those people who cry life is unfair. Who says life is fair? Life was always unfair. It’s up to us to make it fair.