Uma, last day, reminded me to tell Remani’s story. I told her it’s not only Remani’s story, but mine too. She reminded me that I told her about my vacation in which I first met Remani.
I hope you remember that I’ve been trying to tell you ‘Who is Remani to me ?’ May be I didn’t answer that fully. But I remember that I told you ..”Remani is my inner person’.I shall tell you more.
The next week, I took a day’s leave and reached home on Friday night. My grandma was surprised as to why I came in, uninformed. I told my ammoomma(GM), that I am on a tour from Monday, and so thought of visiting her the previous days. And so, I’m here. My uncle and brother were at their job places. So, Ammoomma had only Remani with her.
Saturday morning onwards, all my senses were tracking the kitchen and Ammoomma’s room. My eyes and ears were searching for Remani. At around 11 AM, I saw Remani going to the bath room near our well (no attached bath rooms those days). Ammomma was in the kitchen, and she frequently came out to the verandah to chat with me; So, I couldn’t move out. After a few minutes, Remani came after her bath, through the verandah, to her room. She smiled at me while going in, and I responded. I was looking for a gap, and when Ammoomma went in to the kitchen next time, I moved out to her room. There I saw, she was putting her bindies, and eye lining(kanmazhi) , holding a mirror in her hand. I stood in front of her… smiled.. and asked her..”did you apply powder.?”. “No”, she said . I took the powder tin, and put some powder into my left palm. With my right palm, I started applying the powder on to her face.. cheeks.. forehead.. and then on to the neck. Smelling a rat (must be), she pulled back and said “No..I’ll do it myself ..”. I moved again forward and started putting powder on her neck and .. suddenly she pushed me back, and walked out of the room. By this time, I knew Ammoomma must be coming out to the verandah. I heard her talking to Remani.. asking her to wipe the powder well..”ee penninu onnum arinjukooda “… I walked in to the verandah. And the chat went about Remani .
Ammoomma told me more about Remani. She is from a poor family. Her mother is no more and lived with her two siblings, and with her father. Her father is a coolie kind of casual labourer. Being difficult to meet both ends meet, Remani was sent, after her 10th class, at the age of 14, to us for household work with my Ammoomma. As I told you earlier, my Ammoomma always needed a personal attendant. And Remani was so placed. Over a few months, she became our family person. Remani was a very nice girl, she took everyone into confidence, and she moved with all very nice.. just as a family member, and not as a servant girl. I remember, during the next Onam, my Ammoomma gave her a gold chain, though small. She has been wearing that chain all along her stay with us .
That day, as I told you, all my senses were behind Remani. Somehow, I wanted Remani’s company.. I wanted to see her.. I wanted to talk to her.. I wanted her ! But, GM’s presence failed me from gaining access to her. The next day, early morning, may be around 5.00 AM (my GM’s wakeup time) , I heard Remani and GM talking . I understood that Remani was sleeping with GM, and is next to my room. There’s a window between these rooms (Old design homes have many such windows; opening to another room.. Yes !).
GM then went to the bath room, near the well. Remani was alone in that room. I woke up and went in to that room. Seeing me, Remani was shocked.. She said “enta chetta… kaappi aayilla… “ and looked at me a bit frieghtened. I said.. “njaan ninne kaanaan vannathaa.. pedikkanda..” I slowly moved to her, caught her arms…and tried to embrace her. She slowly moved back.. saying “
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