Karishma
Don't worry be Happy | This too shall pass - episode 2
" Amma Namaste ", as I opened the door, little Karishma wished me in a polite yet confident voice, looking straight into my eyes. I smiled at the little daughter of Manju, wife of Shankar who is a caretaker in the next door apartment building.
Manju comes home to help on some days when my regular maid can't come because of the lockdown restrictions. On some odd days, Karishma, her two year old daughter accompanies her.
I always marvel at the way Manju has brought up her little daughter. Though she stays at home with her mom and yet to be admitted to a school, the little girl is always well poised, polite yet confident, bold and articulate. When she answers the phone call on her mom's behalf, one can't believe that one is talking to a tiny toddler.
Karishma sat on the corner of my sofa as Manju got busy with her work and I opened the fridge to select vegetables. My eyes fell on the laddu I had kept on my dining table and handed it over to Karishma.
Karishma's eyes brightened looking at the laddu and she ran to her mom. I overheard Manju chiding her to eat it only after going home and not to spill it anywhere and " Amma ko pareshan mat karo ". ( Don't trouble Amma )
I stopped in my track when I heard Karishma's reply. She said " Amma ko pareshan karoongi toh woh naraj ho jayegi na?
Tab woh hame kam nahi degi na?
Toh phir hame paisa nahi milegi ma.
Aur hamen khaneko kuch nahi melega......"
Seriously?????
Those were heart wrenching words and I could not control my tears. No doubt in their little harsh world it may be partially true and to discipline the child it might have been warned on those lines.
But imagine a two year old being bogged with such harsh cruelties of life. And here we are, bothered that we may not get the slot on Big Basket or may have to miss eating our favourite mangoes this season.
It is high time we stopped sulking, being pessimistic and complaining about the present day situations. Those of us who are sitting at home and assured of having enough stock of provisions and vegetables at home, with having swiggy and Dunzo at our fingertips, with the confidence that our near and dear ones are sitting safely in their homes cannot possibly imagine what thousands of less fortunate souls are suffering either because of Covid or worried if they would be able to get their next meals.
So friends, cheer up. Extend help to those who are in need in any and every possible way and stay calm, stay home and stay safe.
This too shall pass.....
