What's her mistake ? - 3

I felt very bad for Nammu Aunty because she was very fond of her children. For that matter, she loves any child she meets. When it comes to her daughter, she is a little partial! Once When I teased her, her reply was “Look sonny, sons are with me. But my daughter is so away from me. Even if she was in India, I would have loved her more because she is now part of some other family”

So, this led to the worst situation.

When the son in law lost the job, the daughter naturally called her mother. Nammu Aunty, who has a soft corner for any one in trouble, took the decision of helping her daughter. She sent her savings which was quite a big amount.

This was known to the sons because she tried to get money from her three sons. She implored her sons to help their sister. But she should have known earlier itself. The sons had become puppets in their wives hands. They declined to shell out their money. Of course, the reasons for not giving money were quite different. It projected as if they were helpless and could not help their sister.

Nammu Aunty did the next best thing. She asked her husband who told, “What is the money’s worth, if it can’t help our daughter who is in dire need of money?”

So, the money went to the daughter and Nammu Aunty earned the wrath of her sons.

Now, Nammu Aunty and uncle had nothing. The jewels had long ago gone. Now the savings. The couple became literally broke.

Adding insult to injury is the accidental death of Nammu Aunty’s husband. This was a very big setback in her life. She had no money. No place to go. She was asked to vacate the rented house they were living.
I took the onus of caller her sons asking about their mother's stay with them. The third son told on behalf of his elder brothers that they can't take their mother immediately. May be next year. or when they have more space when they shift etc., I need not call the other two brothers because the reply will be the same etc.,
This put Nammu Aunty in a fix. I felt very sad that I could not keep her with me. I was in a room and there were 3 more people with whom I was sharing the room.

She said “Don’t bother” and packed her things.

Her husband’s brother’s son who performed the last rites gave her a place to stay. He had a house which had a small room and an attached bath.

Nammu Aunty did not hesitate to start living there. I visited her in her new place.

She seemed to be very happy. Actually, it was not a great place. She had a room which was about 10 feet by 12 feet and a toilet cum bathroom. She had set her kitchen at one end of the room.

I felt very bad and expressed so. “What is wrong with this sonny? See, I have a kitchen in which I prepare rice and rasam. I get quarter liter milk. I use to make buttermilk. I have a nice washing line outside the house. I don’t have any big number of clothes. I am fine. My husband’s brother’s son is very helpful. He does not want any money from me for this” said Nammu Aunty smiling.

I did not have the heart to tell her that I was paying that guy monthly rent. I had strictly warned him to say that it is free for her.

Well, it went on for some months. I was really feeling very bad. How can people be so bad? Especially the sons who owe her the loan of affection? She does not actually demand it. But does she not have a right to be with her sons? It is almost like the Western culture. There I believe the kids won’t stay with the mother. Mother is an epitome of strength.

Here we have a mother who is so fragile and craving for her sons. But they do not want her. I have a question for the daughters in law. Don’t they have a mother each? Will they treat their mothers like that?

But Nammu Aunty did not seem to bother about her discomforts. But the fate had another cruel attack on her.

She was diagnosed with cancer!