Aai

It was a pleasant morning in Hyderabad when I woke up a bit early that day…thought of talking to my mom through webcam… a nice feeling sailing inside me and I was trying to figure out what it was….Mom was as cheerful as ever….and the first thing she showed me was today’s Newspaper which had a banner news about Vinayak Deshmukh the youth takes over the old and beside him stood his Aai….Vinayak was Chendu my childhood pal.  My eyes flooded with pride for Chendu and Aai as I went down memory lane….

The Deshmukhs lived nextdoor…..A big joint family with a strength of almost 25 members….Aai was a typical Maharashtrian lady….who wore navvari…..put a big red dot on her forehead and covered her head always…..She was  the most caring, most lovable and most humble human being in chendu’s house…..Aai was his mother and all Chendu’s cousins  and even we friends addressed her  Aai… even a simple dal tadka made by Aai would taste awesome.  And the hugs we used to get from her meant a lot.

The only ornament which she wore was a smile on her face 24x7. ….would used to wonder all the rest of chendu’s aunties were decked up with gold top to bottom and aai being the eldest of all the  bahus so simple………why??? She never went to any functions always remained at home to be more precise in the outhouse… nevertheless if there was any function at home she would run around like a cartwheel and manage the whole show….She was the Spinal cord of the house….everyone  relied on her…she too gave her best ideas and they seldom were the common ones. They were always number one….She was very concerned about the birds and animals as well.  She had made a earthen tank outside the gate for cattle and a special pot for the birds…..all quenched their thirst there… She was illiterate…and the source of income which she was proud came from her tailoring… had seen her thumb impressions on chendu’s report cards. Never saw Chendu’s baba at home…….never had the courage to ask him…too……

Days passed into years and we grew up. Chendu was a very good student and a leader from the beginning. He had good leadership traits……..which followed him in college as well. One day Chendu’s uncle went to Aai and said there is a good job for chendu and I can recommend him too…..Aai said a firm no……..she said he has a much brighter future…..look at the spark in his face..he is a leader everywhere…..he is not meant for this job……please don’t force anything upon him. Let him be what he wants to be…He was a  born Leader....He was a Social worker too…..this quality definitely seems to come from Aai…….who used to run around the house for everybody selflessly.  Had to leave the town for my Army training.  Though kept getting Chendu and Aai’s news from my mom.

Soon Chendu became the Corporator of the area. Not like the  present ones….corrupt and money-minded. He was a gem at heart…..The masses loved him. Aai was so proud of him. And we too…. And Today  he was elected  as the MLA …today I saw his picture on the front page of  the most popular daily……..and Aai stands beside him………with the same smile her flawless ornament on her face….Don’t we need fair politicians for a more secure future….and what Jeejamata did for Shivba…. Aai did for Chendu…

Aai is the best example for all the women folk…. Iron fist in a velvet glove….

Does it matter today that  a lady whose husband left her  just one month after their marriage  for no reason stood like  a firm rock all her life ? was she ever alone? Who brought up a son like Chendu !! What courage and determination she must have had?  And what unwavering faith she had in her son, who grew up much more than her expectations…Moreover no grudges with life nor anyone else… not even Chendu’s baba Depression what the hell it was????…. …..what else she could ask for? 

 All said and done- tough times don’t last but tough people do…!!!