On a dark
winter night it is so easy to get into the bed and it is too difficult to get
out of the cozy bed on a foggy morning. Like everybody, I too consider it a tedious
job. To be out of bed, going towards main door of my flat to open it, is like
to climb Mount
Everest
without an oxygen mask! Invincible!!
“Ding
Dong!”
My maid,
Samoli was a live alarm clock. She daily rang the bell sharp at 5:30 a.m. without a minute delay. Her
accuracy always surprised me, as she was illiterate and never wore a watch. I
wrapped my self in several layers of woolens covering all my body parts except
sleepy eyes.
“Ding
Dong!”
“Coming!” I
screamed with a bit of irritation in my voice.
She had
become impatient and couldn’t wait till I protected myself to wrestle with the
harsh weather. In a short period of time, she had belled twice; I would
definitely scold her. I opened the door and was about to utter some bad words
out of my mouth but controlled myself as she was standing in front of me
without shawl, sweater, socks and shoes, wearing a plain sari and blouse!
Seeing her gave the impression that weather outside the flat is of summer and
inside is of winter. My anger evaporated.
“What
happened? Why are you wearing such thin clothes as if it is summer season?” I
inquired.
She
explained, “Last night, when I was going back home it started raining which completely
drenched me. I couldn’t dry my clothes as there was no electricity last night.
My loving husband gave this to me.” She showed proudly her right hand
with a woolen green glove on it.
Phew! A dil in vibrant crimson is patched
on it to hide the raveled part. I asked, “He could have given you a shawl
as well.”
“All his clothes
were also drenched while returning home. Only a pair of gloves was left which
was in his inner pocket. I can’t stand and talk as I am getting late for my
work in next house.”
She hurriedly
went into the kitchen and I in my room. I shuffled my wardrobe to search a
suitable sweater for her. I couldn’t find an appropriate one which could give
her proper warmth. In one corner of the shelf, I found the sweater knitted by
my granny. It is white color with rose flowers patterned on it in a vertical
row. My granny had given it to me with her blessings that whenever I would
receive my degree of doctorate on that occasion I would wear it. I had kept it
for years and yesterday was that day, special very special! But now, my maid
needed this sweater more. I made up my mind to order a designer cardigan on
Snapdeal at economical price. Its quick delivery would surely make me centre of
attraction in the function! I gave my priceless treasure to my maid and asked
her to wear it right now. She couldn’t utter a word but her moist eyes were
saying more than that. After all it was ‘Dil ki Deal’!
