What's her mistake ? - 13

Both Nammu Aunty and I were left flabbergasted. We did not know how to reply those questions. Because we did not know the answers!

Dammu took a deep breath and sighed. She shook her head many times. Is it something to do with her previous dialogue?

Then she looked at us with a serious look. “I never thought I would tell this part of my life to anyone again. But it looks as if... hey, you could stay hungry for a few hours?” she asked with a smile.

We looked at her blankly. She explained. “My life story is not a great one to talk about. I have made a few hard decisions. This has led to my happiness”

Now we had a surprised look.

“Ok, let me explain. In as less words as possible because I am not a great story teller” she laughed. But I could see a painful expression in her eyes.

“My grandfather was a good person. He ensured that my father got good education during those days. I am talking about early 1920s. My father followed my grandfather’s guidance and became a very rich man. But it did not stop him from helping people in need. He was so rich, but he was very generous too. What he was giving away in the right hand was not being known to the left hand. I hero-worshipped my father. I must have picked up a lot of his traits...” She smiled at us.

“Yes, Dammu, there is no doubt! You have picked up the trait of his helping nature. It is in your blood. Otherwise, you couldn’t have taken a stranger like to your house” blurted out Nammu Aunty.

I also nodded. It is true! Otherwise I do not see any other reason for Dammu being so helpful to Nammu Aunty and to me, who is actually not connected to both of them in any manner. This one thing kept bothering me. Why me? Is there any other reason beyond what Dammu mentioned? Oh yes, she made a mention that there are many reasons for me to stay in this house.  This needs to be checked.

Dammu was inside her history. She was continuing her talk.

“I was the only child of my father. He had no time. Otherwise I could have got a brother or a sister or a few of them” she laughed naughtily. Then again she changed her tone. “My mother passed away due to a severe attack of plague. My father was somewhere in the Northern Part of India fighting with the British. I was in 5^th Form when she passed away” she stopped. Her look was far away for some time.

I and Nammu Aunty looked at each other. We were feeling bad for Dammu. Losing  parents is a painful thing.

“Ok, let’s have a break!” she called one of her servants. She ordered to get us banana milkshake.

While the milkshake was made and served, she talked shop.

She was asking me when I am shifting completely. When am I going to the office and tender my resignation.

“I need not give any noice Dammu. I am on a daily wages job. I could just walk away” I said.

She was serious when she said, “Look young man, each one of is important in this society. The job you are doing may be a small one as far as the size of the job is concerned. But there has to be replacement for you. Please go tomorrow morning and tender your resignation and come back”.

I could see a look of approval in Nammu Aunty’s eyes.

If I had read in a book I would have exclaimed “Rubbish!” If I had seen such a scene in a movie I would have uttered, “Nonsense!” But seeing this in the real life, I am left with no words.

It is true, the statement, that the fact is stranger than fiction!

“When I was fifteen, I fell in love with my neighbor and decided to marry him” said Dammu.

When we looked at her with astonishment, she looked at us and said, “What? Am I not a human being? Do I look like a rock to you?” and grinned.