Uma sent me off for the walk. Remani came running in, telling me that she wants to leave early. I told her to stay back, until I return after the walk. Suddenly I realised that, by that time it would be dark .. Remani would find it difficult to go back alone. So, I said ' Ok, you go, and send your son here early morning'. The message was clear.. she said 'Yes'. I went off for the walk.
When I returned by 7 , Uma was reciting keerthanas sitting in front of the Nilavilakku. And Remani too was with her, chanting keerthans with Uma. As I entered, Remani got up and went to the kitchen. Uma continued her chanting. I sat in the sitout, with a magazine, and Remani came in with a cup of black coffee. To my raised eye-brows, Remani said "He'll come here by 8 ", meaning that his son would come and take her up home. I gave the bunch of currency I had with me (which I took from the ATM). She accepted the bunch and looked at me. I smiled and said "It's there.. .. more than you need now. Tell me if you want something more". She didn't respond .. just stood for a few moments and walked into the kitchen. I went up, to my room. I had my nineth sense* woke up. I called "Umaaa... ", forgetting that she is with her keerthanas. In a few minutes, Remani came in. "Enta chetta ?" she asked. "Give me a bottle of cold water ... or ... is Aappy* in the fridge ?" I asked. She said yes, and went down the stairs.
After a few minutes, Uma came in -- oh.. she had finished her prayers-- with a bottle of Aappy. She went to the cupboard and tookout a glass and the liquid gold. She poured a dose, and filled with Aappy. She took the glass, had a sip, and gave me.. smiling.. her glowing teeths brightened my heart.
"Entaa.. onnu veno ?" I asked joking. "Vendaa Maamma .. innu venda .." she said and sat on the chair. I changed my dress, and got into the lungi (and nothing inside). Showing Uma to come out, I went to the balcony and sat there. Uma followed me , with my glass.
We were chatting on many things.. household and other. Slowly, as expected, the topic came in .. 'Remani'. Then it was all Remani for some time.. I 've narrated my chapter on Remani.
It was in early 1973. I was at my work place. On a weekend, I reached my tharavaadu. Only my mother and grand mother were living there at that time, as all our other family members were at their respective work places, including my brother. As I entered the verandah, my grand- mother was sitting on the floor (on a paaya), and with a girl beside her. My Gmother was very happy about my arrival, and then she introduced the girl to me. "Remani... ival Vaikkathuninnanu.. Kurachu divasamayi vannittu..." I looked at the girl .. an average looking girl --she 's not a beauty.. but good looking.. short and lean.. not very fair.. with a paavada and long blouse. She smiled at me.. when I too smiled at her.. she turned her face.. and got busy doing pan for my Gmother.
Remani was brought from Vaikom, for assisting our GMother .. something like a personal attendant. She's from a poor family.. Nair (else my Gmother won't agree).. and studied only upto 10th. Her hather is well known to my father, and works as a coolie at their place.
Over the years, Remani became our family member. She's there for everything and anything. She managed all our household work.. that too alone. She was no more a servant, she was one among our family members. Even after the death of my Gmother, Remani continued with us... and she is a family member, none of us could think different. She assisted everyone.. and me whenever I am at home on leave.
During that year, (1773) in the month of September, I took a week's leave and reached home. Yeah.. it was Onam vacation.
{ * Nineth sense : it's my reference to 'the thirst for a drink' and Eighth sense is the thirst for Sex ! }
