“Aunty ji, I will not come tomorrow”, told the house help while washing utensils in the kitchen
“Arre. Why? No no. You must come tomorrow. We have guests coming over for lunch”, said the mother-in-law
“It is my son’s birthday and he has been asking us for many days to take him out for a film in a cinema hall and that kids’ fair. We will have to get ready and leave early Aunty. I will come the day after for sure”, she said
“How old will he be tomorrow, Sujata?”, asked Pallavi
“He will complete 5 years tomorrow, didi”, her eyes glistened
“Okay. Get some cake for us when you come”, said Pallavi
“Pakka didi”
In the night while Pallavi was making sure that all the lights and doors were closed before going to bed, she overheard her angry mother-in-law talking to her husband
“Son’s birthday. Huh! What about cleaning up for tomorrow’s lunch here? Madam will wake up late. I only will have to do all the chores”
“Why do you worry so much unnecessarily? Pallavi also knows that Sujata is not coming tomorrow. She will help you. And it is their special day, their anniversary. Even if she sleeps a little longer, it is okay. Why do you want to have perfection? Sleep now. If no one else, I will help you. Okay?”, said her father-in-law
The next day Pallavi woke up early as she started getting congratulatory calls from friends and family. Took an early bath, did a special pooja, and started helping her mother-in-law in the kitchen. In good time, the food was prepared and everything was ready. They were now waiting for their guests. One by one, they started coming in and the party mood was on.
“Wow. So much good food on the table. Mausi ji, you and Pallavi must have started early in the morning. Everything looks so perfect”, said Shikha
“Yes, beta. Had to do na. It is their anniversary. On top of it, our maid suddenly decided to take a holiday. These people just need an excuse to take a holiday and vanish when we need them”, said her mother-in-law
“I know. Even I called my maid to come early as we had to come here. She also told me then that she had a fever and couldn’t come. These maids! We should deduct money from their salaries then only they will learn a lesson”, said another relative
Suddenly everyone saw Pallavi hurriedly going out with her purse and office bag.
“Wait. What’s happening here? Pallavi, you are going to the office?”, Varun was aghast
“Oh yes, Varun. I have to go. Sorry everyone”, she said and started going out
“Bahu. What is this behavior? Everyone has come to be a part of your happiness on your anniversary and you are leaving?”, her mother-in-law was furious
“Sorry mummy ji. But your conversation made me realize that my manager and team members must also be under the same impression about me. You remember that at the beginning of the month, Vishu had fallen sick. I took 2 days of leave. Not Varun. Then as soon as I joined back, our neighbour, Sharma uncle, passed away. You only called me back home as they would need our help and support. I again took a day off and another 2 days to work from home. And now this. Our 9th anniversary. Big deal. I am sure they will deduct money from my salary too”, she sounded so worried
“But all these are genuine reasons for you to take leaves”, she said
“And how do you and I know or rather assume that Sujata was telling a lie? If she wanted, she could have easily called me in the morning with a flat lie about someone dying in her family and enjoying her day out. Maybe someone died in her family”
There was a silence in the room.
“I know that some maids are not interested in working and they tell frequent lies but that’s not the case with every maid. They too are working women like I am. When bad times or celebrations can happen in my life, why not in their lives? You know, sometimes, I had actually lied at work just because I was too tired and frustrated and had no ‘real reason’ to take a leave. It’s okay. Long absence without backup, yes, that is a problem. Women go out to work for two reasons – their passion for their work or they have to work to give the needed financial support to their families. They deserve the same respect and understanding as men”
“And those who stay at home, I am sure that they don’t stay at home just because it is comfortable and easy. It definitely is not. Taking care of the family, children, home, and social circle is a lot. Instead of generalizing that all maids are irresponsible, give a moment to make your judgment about the situation”
“You are right Pallavi. I go to bed only at night after everyone has fallen asleep and it’s a tiring job to be a stay-at-home mom. Sometimes, it’s just too much. On most of the days, nobody bothers to ask me how my day went when they come back home. It is heartbreaking”, finally Shikha broke the silence
“Mummy ji, even if Sujata was telling a lie, as long as it is just about a day and she is informing us prior, I think we can let it go and not label her as a criminal. Every woman and even man who goes out to work needs an understanding and helpful support system to do their work with honesty and lovingly. Otherwise, we would just be dragging ourselves to work in a toxic environment”
“Got your point Bahu. Now keep that bag aside and let us all gather to cut the cake”, finally the ice was broken
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“Sujata, didn’t you bring the cake for us?”, quipped her mother-in-law
“Aunty ji, didi has told me, how can I forget? Here. Taste it. Raju had the best birthday yesterday”
…and they worked happily ever after…
—————————————————————
Now, this is a work of fiction. However, of late, I have been thinking that I too have been unrealistic about my maids.
“How come they know when I need them and they take an off?”
“Every time she does like that”
I had been a working mother for a long time and now I am a stay-at-home mother of two and I know the hardships of both these mothers. From listening to several mean comments at work to feeling as if I am nothing and doing absolutely nothing while staying at home. It hurts.
My daughter has been learning Kuchipudi for almost two years and even my househelp’s daughter is also learning Kuchipudi. These days, most of her leaves are because she has to accompany her daughter for various stage performances. I understand it as even I am doing the same for my daughter. However, it would be wrong for me to expect that no other hard times or even happier would come for her and she should not be taking any other leaves. Kids and we can fall sick, there can be other issues back home, or it just rained way too much!
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