What's her mistake ? - 12

I kept quiet for some time. She made the statement about her health problem as if she was mentioning about going to the market.

She kept smiling at my confused state. Then she patted my back and said “Look young man, I ask you to stay with us. There are good number of reasons. First and foremost, Nammu needs you. Especially since she is alone here” Looking at a question which was written on my face, she said, “Yeah, I know. I am there. But at least still she is new here. One more thing. I am sure I can pay you a good amount of salary for being with us. Once .....” she stopped and for the first time I saw her fumbling for words. “The inevitable happens, you can leave. And another thing, I shall get you a good recommendation. You will not have any problem in getting a good job. But...” she held my hand and mentioned, “I require you here. Can I count you in please?”

I was awestruck. Here is a lady who is suffering from cancer. She doesn’t look as if she is bothered by it. Does she have any children? How about her husband? I thought of these two questions because nowhere in the house I could see any photograph of any human being! The whole house’s walls were covered with very good 'nature' paintings which were placed very tastefully.

We went inside and Dammu walked to Nammu Aunty’s room and knocked.

After three minutes both of them came out and we went for lunch.

The dining hall was very different from what I had seen all these years.

There was a long table on which the dishes were placed in a neat manner. Dammu handed over plates to me and Nammu Aunty and took one for her.

“Please serve yourself. I feel this is the best method to avoid wastage of food” said Dammu and we filled our plate with food and sat on chairs which were nearby.

I was watching Nammu Aunty. She was looking fresh and healthy after a good bath and some rest.

Rest is what the elderly parents look out for in this age. There are houses where the kids make the parents dance to their tunes. But is it better than keeping the parents away from them? Especially when they crave to be with their kids?

“Sonny, you are not eating properly. Are you fine?” asked Nammu Aunty. I said I am fine and came out of my thoughts and started concentrating on my eating.

After food, we sat in the hall and a servant served us with sweets.

Nammu Aunty was hesitating to take the sweets.

Dammu smiled at her and said, “Nammu, you are too thin... you should eat well. you remind me of my sister, like I told you earlier”

Nammu Aunty just nodded.

“I don’t know whether I told you. I am not a relative of the oncologist. I am a patient of his” Nammu Aunty looked at Dammu unbelievingly.

“I look healthy. I have breast cancer...” again Dammu declared, this time to Nammu Aunty.

“You are looking at these?” she asked Nammu Aunty pointing to her high breasts.

Nammu Aunty could just looked at her, that’s all.

“I have lost both of them. Thank God for that. So I could get two equal sized artificial ones to wear”

There was absolutely no vulgarity or even compassion. It was just statement of fact.

“Don’t you feel lonely in this big house Dammu?” Nammu Aunty asked.

Dammu just smiled.

“Can I ask you a question?” asked Nammu Aunty.

“Of course, you don’t need permission to ask question!” sternly said Dammu. But her eyes twinkled.

“You said affection. You are so affectionate. Why did you not marry? You could have had a husband’s love and children’s affection”

Dammu laughed loudly. The laughter reverberated in that big hall.

“Did I tell you any time that I did not have children? Or for that matter that I am not married?” she asked seriously.