Rashmi's Space

Small pleasures matter in life. Really small, everyday pleasures. Like, being able to smell the garden in full bloom on a hot summer day, or being able to have a hot water bath in cold weather. Or even being able to drink a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or, for that matter, being able to eat junk food to one’s heart’s content! Ah, bliss! Oh, I almost forgot, for those of you who haven’t met me before , myself, Mrs. Bhagirathi. The kids in my building call me Mrs. B. I am a housewife. Or better still – a homemaker. I work from home and generally spend time reading and surfing the internet when the kids and my husband are away for the day. I also cook and clean, and wash and iron clothes – but I guess all that is included in the title of “homemaker.” So no special mention needed. So, like I was saying, life is a sum total of small pleasures. And what I said about junk food, is absolutely true. Especially when you think of the cheeseburger. Or the veggie bur...

He stands in a strategic place, where they can see him clearly. He reaches there earlier than they are expected to arrive; dressed casually, for work. Although, it wouldn't matter whatever he chose to wear. It is not his attire that matters to them, nor his attitude. In fact, anyone else in his place would command the same respect in their eyes, and the same reverence. He knows this. And it doesn't bother him. He isn't here to earn their respect or their loyalty. Because he knows, they will come to him, no matter what; as their loyalty is to his speciality, to what he can offer them. As he watches, they come. Some alone, some in groups of two or more. There are many couples. Some children; although, this is increasingly rare these days. Some days, he sees foreigners come too. And many times NRIs! They are the ones with a lot of specific demands. Almost always, ladies come to him. No matter who else comes, the ladies definitely come. The rich ones, the not so pro...