Blessing in Disgust – in a lighter vein

In one sweep Covid-19 has changed our entire lifestyle. Not just ours, but that of the entire world. Everyone is disgusted. Personally, I miss my morning walks, the Hi how are you greetings with fellow walkers; the evening strolls together with Aunty till she meets her friends, or vice versa, and we part ways temporarily for a chat with our respective friends.

Equally we miss the stopover for coffee at SLV, more to have a chat with Triveni who hails us as one of her very first patrons. We miss the hawker-couple who bring fresh leafy vegetables from a farm beyond Hosur; the ‘flower couple’ in front of Maria Mart… The list is endless.

Thus from an enjoyable life we are now confined 24x7 to the four walls of 3195, with the words, “elders are more susceptible,” ringing in our ears. But this confinement has its brighter side too.

“This is the best time for you to tick off your “To Do list’ items one by one, reminded Aunty, never tired of mocking at my To-Do list. In this she enjoys the support of our sons also. Over the years I have found that she tells me a second earlier exactly what I have been planning to do myself, as though to rob me of the credit.

Thus, as of now my investment portfolio stays updated. All that remains to be decided is if in the context of the Yes Bank episode, some of my meager deposits elsewhere should subject themselves to uncertainty, or I shift them.

The confinement also witnessed my bidding farewell to some of the Jambhavan-time papers that I have been holding on to in the hope I will find a use for them. They found their way, in bits and pieces, to Dry Waste. All my files now look trim, as though fresh from a VLCC weight-loss course. In the process of weeding occasionally I went ecstatic and hailed Aunty in the kitchen, “Lally, you remember I was looking for a paper. Here it is,” only to be snubbed, “Yes you will find more such if only you undertake this exercise more often.”

The Rudram, Chamakam group suspended classes and asked members to practice chanting at home till the sky is clear. I quietly harboured hopes that this is the best time to sharpen my skills and be one up by chanting everyday. But each time Aunty finished a casual telephone chat with spouses of other members, she came back, “I say I heard a chant at the other end.”  So everyone is gearing up to give his best when resumed. Thus better performance by one and all is on the cards.

The situation also helped me to come to terms with some new expressions - social distancing, janta curfew. Years earlier it was selfie.

Amidst the umpteen directives, care of the elderly has remained close to everyone’s heart. Each time he goes out, Radhakrishnan (RK as he is called), my 3194 neighbour, never forgets to check if we need anything. Equally, Priya Anant, 3196, asks us to let her know if something needs to be picked up – either from the Gate or from outside. Both gestures remind you of what SFV is made up of.

We too asked our maid to stay home and take care of her children. I offered Aunty to take over some job of the maid. Aunty just grabbed it lest I changed my mind. Here I am now holding a semi permanent job in the utility area, washing utensils. With one eye on her kitchen work and another on the utility area, Aunty would never miss to bring the next lot the moment she sees me about to finish my job. “Just this also, before I prepare second coffee for you,” she would incentivize. On the brighter side, I move a step forward in self-reliance. Also now you can count on me to cut vegetables too, without cutting my fingers, though the vegetables thus cut may not enjoy geometric symmetry.

Quoting a What’sApp message received this morning, “I wash the Dishes and she does the Jhaadu pocha…we are MAID for each other.