What's her mistake ? - 14

What is this lady’s real character? Once she laughs, the next moment she becomes serious. Which one to believe? I kept wondering.

I stole a glance towards Nammu Aunty. She was very eager to know. I felt this way. May be Nammu Aunty was eager to know how a person of her own age dealt with the situation of children being away from her, the husband being died. Do you have a question? That is, how I could think for Nammu Aunty? I didn’t think for her. My own thoughts were in the same direction!

Dammu was back in her olden days. Now she was a fifteen year old.

“Yes, I fell in love with a man... who was about 40 years”

This was a shocker for me. Forty years! That means he was twenty five years elder to her. She could be of the age of his daughter if he had married on time and a daughter!

“Oh, don’t have that shocking look Nammu!  People say love is blind. In my case I was blind... what I mean is the lover was blind” she smiled a rueful smile.

Then her face became animated. “Do you know how handsome he was? My God! He was like a Greek God! Adonis! I came to know of his age after I had..... Well, young man... I can talk in front of you without any qualms. Still, my modesty says I should say in disguised words. Yes, I came to know he was forty after I was his bedmate”

I understood that she meant after she had slept with him.

I felt pathetic. She was a fifteen year old girl. He was forty. How can he take advantage of her? Did his conscience not admonish him before... you know what!

But Dammu looked very cool and not at all repentant.

“Do you know Nammu? When I was fifteen, I looked twenty two. My body structure was like that. I was very curious to go ahead with that. So I lied to him about my age. I had sex with him with complete agreement from my side” she declared.

I was squirming a bit. This detail was not very comfortable for me. But I had no choice. She is talking about this as if it is another action like eating, sleeping etc.,

“My father was not there for quite some time and this made me very lonely. It was at that time this man came to stay as my neighbor. The loneliness combined with his handsomeness, his friendly smile and attitude all combined to make me melt in front of him like ice cream” she was very dreamy in her looks and voice. May be reminiscence of the golden moments of the olden days.

Well, I can’t judge someone just because she had sex with someone long ago. She is a good woman. She took Nammu Aunty to stay in her house. She is allowing me to stay with her with a promise of good salary and a recommendation letter. I should start assuming responsibilities and ‘earn’ my salary.

“The clandestine affair continued whenever we were alone. I was feeling uncomfortable in front my father when he was at home. Am I right in doing such a thing behind his back? Is this what I am returning for a good upbringing? There were plenty of questions in my mind which kept making me guilty to the core. This can’t go on. I have to tell my father, I kept telling myself”

She took a sip of the banana milkshake and continued talking. “But suddenly things became worse. Father had a heart attack and called his lawyer to make his will. His property was self-made and he willingly transferred to my name. I was thinking, ok, I will transfer this to my boyfriend who is going to be my husband shortly. Then I can rest for my life. I hated looking after my father’s property which is going to be mine once.... I could not think of the next words.. he dies” she completed the sentence, put the glass on the teepoy and looked at us.

“I sound so callous, isn’t it? I was only sixteen and a half when my father transferred his property to my name. All I could think of is my boyfriend, his nice words and his .... technique”

We did not know what to talk.

There was silence for some time.

Then Nammu Aunty asked, “Did you marry your ... boy.. friend?”

“No, I could not” There was a streak of pain in Dammu’s voice.

“Why? His parents objected?” I asked.

“I could have fought with anyone in this world to get him. Except...”

She took a deep breath and said, “ With Yama, the God of Death”

Both Nammu Aunty and I looked at each other shockingly.

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.

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.

What's her mistake ? - 11

The house was very big. Unbelievably big! I found some servants silently move and placed a tray on the rosewood teepoy with Belgian glass. The teepoy had 4 legs of elephants carved out of wood. An exotic piece of furniture!

The tray had a very beautiful teapot with 3 cups (it looked costly!). it also had a porcelain plate with variety of biscuits.

We were sitting on the sofa around the teepoy. Dammu served us tea and held the plate of biscuits in fron of us. Each of us took two biscuits and we started enjoying the ambience, the tea, the sweetness of the biscuits.

It was then that Dammu categorically declared “I want you to stay with us, young man!”

I could not understand whether to say yes or no. I have seen this lady since yesterday. She keeps making everything feel light. Is this also a part of the jokes she is carrying out? Is this the one which she is dragging too far?

I did not respond. The statement kept ringing in my ears. I did not get a chance to reply her. Funnily she also did not press it. I felt, ‘ok, she has made one of her regular jokes. But this time on me’.

She took Nammu Aunty by hand and said, “Come, I will show you your room”.

Nammu Aunty followed her. The room was on the ground floor itself.

Dammu explained, “You are already so thin. If I make you stay upstairs, you will become thinner and vanish one day just by coming and going, down and up the stairs.” Nammu Aunty just smiled.

Dammu continued, “Of course, my room is upstairs. The more I walk up and down, there is a remote chance of I becoming as slim as you” she smiled naughtily and took Nammu Aunty by her hand and made her sit on the lovely Queen size bed.

I could see Nammu Aunty squirming. It was clear that she was never comfortable being on such a bed. I had seen her house when she was with Uncle. The beds were thin and hard. She did not mind the bed then at all.

Then she showed the bathroom and how to use all the equipment there.

“You take the shower. There are some clothes in the wardrobe in the room which suit you. I will come and take you for lunch after one hour. Now, let me take this young man to show him his room” said she and we left Nammu Aunty’s room. Dammu pulled the door and closed.

Now only two of us were there. Dammu took me to the porch. There were beautiful roses looking at us smilingly.

The side of the bungalow had a good collection of cactus plants.  

“Madam! You were mentioning that I should stay with you people. For any specific reason?” I asked finally.

“Don’t you love your Nammu Aunty?” she asked looking at my eyes.

I nodded dumbly.

“Then what stops you from staying here? Don’t you like the place?” she asked seriously. “Do you want me to break any portion and rebuild to suit you? If so tell me, I will get it done”

I just stared at her.

“And don’t call me madam. If she is Nammu Aunty,  I am Dammu Aunty” she smiled. “But call me Dammu. I don’t want to be known as aunty. I am not very old” she declared.

“Dammu.. Aa.. Dammu.. you are there to look after Nammu Aunty. You are young also. Can you not do that yourself?” I asked. I was looking at a particular yellow rose, which was so lovely to look at.

“Young man, why do you think I came to the Oncologist?” she held my two arms and turned me towards her.

“You must be a relative to him” I told feeling little uncomfortable. Am I missing something?

“I too am a patient. So, you have two people to look after”

“What problem Dammu?” I asked hesitatingly.

“I am suffering from breast cancer” Dammu declared.

What's her mistake ? - 10

Silence ruled that room for quite some time. No one was ready to break it.

Nammu Aunty was moving in her chair uncomfortably. Dammu Aunty (should I call her aunty? She seems the same age as Nammu Aunty. But still...) was keenly looking at Nammu Aunty.

“Why  me?” Nammu Aunty asked Dammu Aunty directly.

“Because....” She held Nammu Aunty’s right hand with her left hand and started touching Nammu Aunty’s left with her right hand. Nammu Aunty waited for her reply.

I noted one thing. Nammu Aunty never refused Dammu’s offer outright. Does that mean she is craving for some company? If so, if I am asked my opinion, I shall force Nammu Aunty to accept the offer.

Dammu took her time. Nammu Aunty was still looking at her, but never pulled her hand from Dammu’s hand. Finally Dammu let a deep sigh out and then said, “You just look like my elder sister. I lost her when I was very young. When I came to know about you, I came running... please...” she looked at Nammu Aunty with a sad face and continued “Please don’t reject my offer. I will never give you a chance to complain... I will look after like a flower...”.

Nammu Aunty stopped her and asked “The world has so many people. And you have chosen me...”Dammu tried to interrupt her. But Nammu Aunty stopped her by lifting her hand and continued “yeah, I know you told about your dead sister...” Dammu looked horrified...”Hey, when did I tell you that she is dead.. I only told I lost her...”

“What do you mean?”

“She just vanished... whoosh!” Dammu moved her right hand from right side of her body to the left in front of her face.

“I am hoping that she is coming back some day. Till then... please stay with me” she held the hands of Nammu Aunty who was standing now.

Nammu Aunty looked at me beseechingly. I encouraged her by a smile. “Nammu Aunty, say yes. It is good to have a company. Especially if the person is as jovial as Dammu Aunty...” I left the sentence in the middle because Dammu was looking at me with a stern look.

“Young man, do I look like a joker to you?” she asked seriously.

I felt very uncomfortable.

“No....” I was too embarrassed to say any further.

“Ok then. It is settled. You are coming with me and staying with me. No, more questions...” said Dammu. Then she told Nammu Aunty “I implore you to stay with me. In case you feel I have overstepped your privacy, you are free to get out of my home. Is it ok?” Dammu asked.

I nodded and saw that Nammu Aunty nodded. The oncologist looked relieved.

Dammu Aunty gave the address.

We left from there promising that we will come the next day which was a Sunday.

Nammu Aunty was silent throughout the journey back to her house. I asked her why.

“Look Sonny. I am surprised with the turn of events. Just today morning your uncle’s brother’s son spoke with me...” I looked at her questioningly. “I am sorry. My house owner..” she enlightened me.

“Oh” I said.

“What was I saying...? Oh, ok. My house owner today asked me whether I can vacate the house. He is keen to rebuild the house”

“Thank God.. you got one more place to stay!” I exclaimed.

“That is ok. I don’t know anything about her. She is talking about her missing sister. Everything is looking surprising. But ...” she left the sentence unfinished.

I told her “Nammu Aunty, you give a try. If you are not happy, then you can quit”.

But inside my heart, I was thinking, will Nammu Aunty is given chance to rent another house? Somehow it seemed impossible as of now.

When we reached Dammu Aunty’s house, I was stunned by looking at the house.

Dammu Aunty happily welcomed us. We were given a very warm welcome. “ Come Nammu, The house got a new look because of your arrival. I am thankful to you” said Dammu holding both the hands of Nammu Aunty and taking her inside the big house.

Actually, another surprise awaited us.

“There is one more condition” said Dammu. Both of us looked at her.

She categorically declared “I want you to stay with us, young man”

I stood rooted to the ground. Why on earth she want me stay here with them?

What's her mistake ? - 9

Yes, Nammu Aunty is not going to live for long.

“You are asking how many days?” asked the oncologist.

I dumbly nodded.

“It could be anywhere between 8 months to one year” said he.

One year! Only that many days? I have read so many books, heard so many speeches talking about our deed and the resultant. If we are bad in our deeds, the life is longer. If it is the other way round, God loves to take us back to him. If someone dies, in Hindi language they say ‘Bhagvan to pyara ho gaya’. That means the person has become dearer to God.

But Nammu Aunty deserves better than that. Anyway the oncologist has made the sons to pay for their mother’s treatment. This is good news. But if Nammu Aunty comes to know about this, she will reject the help.

The time had come to take her to the hospital. The oncologist talked to her politely and broke the news of her problem. She took it very boldly and gave a sweet smile to the oncologist.

“It’s fine doctor. I had a good life. I have great children. My husband was a great person. Well, I am happy to live in this world as long as He says and ready to leave when the call comes for me to leave this world” her words came out very clearly and without any emotions.

The oncologist was left without a reply. He could not think of a rejoinder to these worlds.

He fumbled for words to continue, but I had observed that he kept watching the door unconsciously. Why is he doing that? I kept wondering.

There was a noise on the door of the consulting room and a gush of air rushed in.

In came along with a middle  aged plump lady with a heavy bosom. She was well dressed and she was the cheeriest woman I had ever seen.

“Sorry Nammu! Am I late? I wanted to come early. But you know these roads? Always full, whatever is the time of the day” she said like this and sat on the chair next to Nammu Aunty.

If Nammu Aunty was as surprised as I was, she did not show it. She looked at the new lady and told, “I know, roads are quite crowded. From where did you come Mrs...?” she stopped. I know she was trying to know her name.

“Dammu!” she declared.

Nammu Aunty looked at her whether to believe her or not. Dammu Aunty(?) in rhyme with Nammu Aunty?

The oncologist now took charge of the situation.

“Sorry Mrs. Nammu. This person is known to me. Her name is ....” he was not allowed to complete the sentence. Dammu opened her mouth and said, “Like your name has been made into Nammu, my beautiful name Damayanthi has been cut short into Dammmu!” There was an artificial angered expression. But her small eyes twinkled from between the chubby cheeks and the thick eyebrows.

Nammu Aunty smiled. Dammu was a real comical character. She looked worried. But her eyes twinkled and the mouth kept trying to talk something or the other.

“I am alone in this world. I have come here. This means what, you know very well” she looked at Nammu Aunty and told, “I checked with this doctor sir. I pleaded with him to get me a companion. He made a mention about you. So, I came running...” she was watching Nammu Aunty’s face which had an expression of disbelief.

“Don’t you believe....? That I came running? You think that I can’t run with this body?” she looked at herself with dismay and said “yeah, I can’t run. But you know?...” her tone became serious. “I wanted to catch you today at any cost”

Nammu Aunty looked at the oncologist who was looking apologetically.

He kept quiet for some time and then turned to Nammu Aunty. “I have a request to make. Damayanthi madam is all alone in this world” Nammu Aunty looked at Dammu. She made a crying face and nodded.

“Since you are alone, I thought that you and Dammu.. I mean Damayanthi could stay together till....” he left the sentence unfinished which I mentally completed “you two leave this world”.

Nammu Aunty looked at the oncologist as if she could not believe her ears. Why pick on me? Was the question I could see on her face.

What's her mistake ? - 8

I decided to contact my classmate, the third son of Nammu Aunty.

The oncologist was very clear. He wanted the eldest son’s contact number.

“I have to talk with him. It is very important” had said he.

I called up the third son who is in Chennai.

It was after a long wait, he came on the line. He was very curt and to the point. He did not bother to reply when I asked how you are and worse, he did not ask about his mother. Do these people have no emotions or are they so stuck up with their own wife and kids that they have forgotten the woman who gave birth to them?

I asked him to give the number of his eldest brother.

“Why do you want it?” was his terse question.

I got angry. I raised my voice and said, “I want it because he needs to sign a document”

“You tell me what it is?” His voice was laced with suspicion.

I had to fib. I thought fast and started telling. The words rolled over each other to come out fast. But my lie was caught by him.

“Sorry, I can’t give you. You are not clearly telling why you want his number” and the line went dead.

I looked at the receiver with dismay and disconnected. It was a cyber-center with computers from where I had made the call.

I now got wild. Does he really think that I can’t get his brother’s number just because he can’t give?

I went inside and logged on to the Internet. Google can throw out information about almost anything!

I went into the Rourkela city and the factory the first son was working. After some jugglery I could find the phone number of the department he was working. I remembered that he had mentioned about it sometime ago.

The HRD of any company would know the names and contact numbers of the employees. So, finally I got the number of Nammu Aunty’s first son.

I called up the Oncologist and he was remembering me! That’s great I thought and gave him Nammu Aunty’s first son’s number.

He told me to come on the fourth day alone. I was supposed to take Nammu Aunty on the sixth day.

So, I went to meet the oncologist the day he asked me to meet with him.

He invited me to the room and I sat in front of him.

“What do these children think? Do they feel they can throw their parents out the moment they are independent?” His voice had an edge.

He was trying to control his emotions. The oncologist’s face was clouded.

I just waited since I could see he was about to speak.

“My mother was diagnosed with blood cancer and I could not save her even with all the modern equipment and I being an oncologist” he was very sad.

I watched him not knowing what to talk. But he had continued talking.

“So, whenever I see a patient I become much attached. I cannot accept the behavior of your Aunty’s children. How callous one can be? So, I decided to teach them a lesson”

I started wondering what he has done.

“My classmate who is also a close friend happens to be the resident doctor in the Rourkela factory where the first son is working. So, I called your Aunty’s son and put a fear in him... so...” He now smiled and showed me a bank statement on his computer screen. “You see, the fear worked and the sons have agreed to shell out money to treat their mother”

“Sir, you said sons?”

“Yes!” he was very triumphant. “Funnily fear works very well with our people. All the three sons have contributed for their mother’s treatment. And they are going to pay for further treatment also” He continued. “I know what I did was not ethical by any standards. But here we have a human life at stake and she deserves better than what she has now”

I just looked at him admiringly. Now, Nammu Aunty can have her treatment without any problem.

I wanted to know the chances of her being better. So I asked the oncologist.

I could not hold my tears back when he told about Nammu Aunty’s present condition.