…Contd. from Part I
Imli continued visiting the house every day and observed everything in minute details quietly from her spot. Slowly a friendship developed with the rich girl, Anisha. Even though Imli was younger, she was definitely more mature and smarter than the other. The two girls became inseparable as long as Imli could stay in the house. Through Anisha, Imli heard stories of a different world and her imaginative mind took flight. Today she was a dancer, tomorrow a doctor, another day a traveler, and so on.
Just when Imli was dreading her school reopening and no more visits to her friend Anisha’s house, something happened that terminated the visits permanently.
Anisha fell ill. It was a mild fever with cold but the entire household made a huge racket over it. Doctors were called frantically and she was sort of quarantined. Imli was not allowed to meet her and the Pretty-Rich-Aunty was not-so-nice anymore. In fact, she complained point-blank that Anisha’s illness was a result of her close proximity to poor, unclean, uncultured people like Imli!
The sheer injustice of such blame made Imli cry uncontrollably. Even her mother faced rebuke for bringing her daughter into the house every day. Seeing her beloved Amma shamelessly scolded was too much for her. She cried openly but her mother stood there not uttering a single word.
Finally, in a firm voice, Amma said, “If we are such nuisances then you shall see us no more.” So saying, she took the sobbing Imli’s hands and walked back home without a backward glance.
That evening when her Baba returned home, Imli softly went and asked to see their hands. Both obliged playfully, thinking that as another childlike whim. Imli noted both their roughness that comes with age and everyday toil. She had never realized until then, how much her parents actually sacrificed to keep them happy. And yet no trace of stress or complaint passed their lips.
Not able to contain any longer, Imli woefully inquired in a soft voice, “What will happen to us now?”
And her mother replied, “Listen my Gudiya, what happened today is not our destruction. True it was bad, but certainly not the end. One day when you grow up, you will realize that there are many kinds of people in this world. Some are good, some not-so-good. Some are helpful, some are escapist. Some give freely, some are selfish. People, situations, and adversities may sometimes put you down, but you don’t let them break your spirit. Because that is the real loss. Until you have the strength to fight, nothing can make you fall.
You think this is the first time Madam has shouted on me- No. truth is, it’s in her nature to blame others. Anisha’s weakness comes from negligence. Even though they are very well-off, yet both her parents do not have time for their only child. Most days, she stays with the nanny only and, sometimes, even sleeps with her at night. That is how she has grown up and that’s how it’s always been. You don’t feel guilty, thinking it was your doing.
Madam can foul-mouth anyone. But today was different. I can tolerate nonsense upon myself, but not pointed towards my princess. No one has the right to make my darling cry. No job can be above self-respect.
There are other houses where I can wash, clean or even cook. Soon, I shall join another household and this incident shall be a distant memory.
But what lesson it taught you, must not be ignored. Money can’t buy everything. Some good things are free of cost. Always do well to others and expect nothing in return. But when it’s a choice between wealth and dignity- you should have the courage to choose right.”
Imli hugged her mother and smiled. She was truly happy after a long time for she realized life was going to be better from now.
