The embarrassed son..

Just like the residents of “Shanti Niwas” in “Anand”, I was also desperately looking for a maid. One who could just cook me two square meals a day. One who could take care of my food, a big challenge for a bachelor.

Finally I got one. A dark complexioned, soft spoken lady rustically clad in a worn saari, whose accent indicated that, she was from Bihar.

On the first day I was amazed by her efficiency, as she took only 30mins to cook lunch for two -I and my younger brother-. I was equally goaded by her talkative nature but my brother found it interesting. Compelled by his own nature he struck an instant rapport with her.

They were soon busy talking to each other, oblivious of me. I didn't mind this negligence of mine and accepted to be mute spectator. She told him that, she lives nearby, in a low income group cluster, and this is why everything there is of low standard. Her husband and two sons completed her family.

What does your husband do? He asked bluntly.

He is an auto driver. She answered, busy in preparing dough for rotis.

An auto driver! Whom did you vote for? AAP? He asked in a tone, as if it was mandatory for the auto drivers to vote for AAP.

Yes we all voted for Jhadu. She replied.

Very good. Arvind Kejriwal is a good man. He will do something. We will also vote for him. He appreciated her, and supported her, raising his voice an octave higher.

Don’t know, but seems like. He reduced the price of auto gas -CNG-. She spoke in collusion with him.

See, I told you, he is a good man. Do vote for him this time also. He tried to reassure and persuade her.

She kept mum and he asked her, “How old are your sons?”

The eldest is in class 10^th. His exams are a week ahead. She replied looking at him with a smile.

That is good. How is he in studies? He asked as if that was going to affect the taste of food she cooked.

How will I know? I am an illiterate, she replied and laughed, as if, her being an illiterate was obvious.

But still. Do you see him studying? Does he show interest in his books? He tried to explain her that even if she couldn't read and write, she could judge whether his son studies or not.

I don’t know much about it. She answered sounding helpless and bit irritated.

OK. No problem. Bring him along tomorrow. I will talk to him and help him with studies, if he would need any. He sounded genuinely concerned.

He wouldn't come. He says that he feels embarrassed, that I work in homes, cooking and cleaning. He doesn't want me to do all this. She explained her son’s thinking and tried to laugh it off.

This statement of her, made my brother a bit grave. He looked at me and remained silent for couple of seconds, as if he wanted me to say something. But I didn't react.

Guessing my deliberate silence, he spoke again, “You should not worry about his mentality. He doesn't know that, you are helping someone have his food. We, who stay away from our homes, know your importance. He is stupid, who feels embarrassed by your profession. I will meet him one day and make him understand this.” He was perhaps touched by her mental agony and angered by his son’s insensitive and hypocritical attitude.

I too felt the same about her son, but a thought crawled in my mind. How would have I reacted, if I would be in her son’s position?