This is my entry for Chicken Soup for the Indian entrepreneurs soul
I was looking for a house help.
My mind took some time to register that she was my new maid. She wore jeans and top. Carried a mobile with an earphone. And she had a nice haircut.
Kajal was about twenty three. She worked nicely but it looked really weird and sometimes funny when she cleaned the floor wearing tight jeans. Or talked on earphone while washing utensils. I
was puzzled why she worked as a maid?
“Do you work anywhere else as a house help?” I asked one
day.
“Yes bhabhi, I work at one more place.” Kajal said washing the utensils. “If I won’t work, no one would give me a single meal.” She
mumbled after a pause.
“Why?” I was startled to hear this.
“You know bhabhi, my mother had forcibly married me off with a mad
man, six years back. My in-laws treated me like servant. All my married sister-in-laws lived there. I had to manage all the household chores single-handedly. No one helped me. I tried to adjust there but what about my happiness and desires?" She was saying in a flow and I was listening, feeling pity for her.
"So," She was not done yet. "I left my husband. That house. My mother forced me to stay there. But I Couldn't. Since then my mother hates me.When I returned back, my mother said she can’t
bear my expenses and I had to earn. I’m not educated so there was no choice but
work as a maid.”
“It’s okay. Work is work. We should not consider any work
small.” I tried to lift her spirit. I had to admit that she was brave enough to take a bold step of getting out of an unwanted marriage. Even some educated women tend to stay in a bad marriage for the sake of their parents, sometimes children and above all society.
“But my dreams are big.” She said, arranging the plates.
I said nothing and busied myself in some other work.
The other day, I was talking to my husband. I said I
need to go to the parlor for facial and waxing. Next day, Kajal came to me after work
and it seemed she wanted to say something.
“Do you want to say something?” I asked.
“Yes bhabhi. I can do facial and waxing. I charge less than
parlors. Try me once. Don’t give me any money.” She said.
I was surprised. She was kidding or what. “How come you do facial and waxing?”
“I worked at Shalini didi’s place. She is a beautician
and owns a parlor. I learned from her. Mostly by watching her work. I worked at her place for free. I helped her in
the parlor for free. I don’t want to work as a maid whole life.” I recalled when she said “My dreams are big.”
She did my facial with absolute dedication and she indeed
charged less than parlors. “Bhabhi…I’m good at eyebrows. Trust me. Shall I?”
She asked with slight hesitation.
Generally, I’m very particular about my eyebrows and I
don’t handover it to any random beautician. But I was surprised that I allowed
her. I noticed she was good at convincing.To my utter relief, she actually made a fine eyebrow.
“Kajal, are you expert in hair-cutting also.” I asked
just like that.
“No bhabhi, I’m still learning. Get your hair done in a
parlor. I won’t lie. I’m not good at it.” I liked her honesty.
“Why don’t you open your own parlor?” I asked one day.
“It needs money bhabhi.” She said smiling and I scolded
myself for asking such a silly question. “You know bhabhi…” She continued.
“Sometime back, I had started my own beauty parlor in partnership with one of
my friends.”
I was listening with interest. “I put my money in it. We were new. We need to be
patient but my friend gave up and we had to close the parlor. Too much money
was wasted.” She said thoughtfully and I could not resist praising her insight
inwardly.
Days went on. I was happy that I didn't need to go to the
parlor, at least for regular facial, waxing and eyebrow.
One day she came very late in the morning. Actually it
was close to afternoon when she arrived. I got really frustrated because we don’t have scope to waste time in the mornings.
“Why you have arrived so late Kajal?” I asked hiding my
irritation.
“Actually, there’s a didi who called me for facial. I
thought I can make some money.” She said sheepishly. I could sense a desire to
work hard and earn. But my household chores are also important.
Gradually, it had become her habit. Bunking my work and
go to earn money. Of course it was good for her but what about my work?
“Why don’t you join a beauty parlor as a worker? You’ll
learn and earn at the same time.” I said one day. If she doesn't have time for my work then better leave. I thought.
I was really annoyed.
“No bhabhi. Now I don’t want to do a job. They don’t give
nice salary and I will have to work according to their wish. I want to do something of
my own. I know there are small works but I hope to make it big. I hope someday
I get an order of bridal make-up or multiple works in marriages. Or maybe I can open my own parlor. Without any partnership this time.” She smiled. I liked her
passion but my work was suffering. I sighed. Sigh of exasperation. Sigh of
resignation. Getting a nice house-help is a tough task you know.
She repeated her vanishing act and late arrival quite often. She made some personal and family excuses. I couldn't say anything but I
was getting frustrated. But she was soft spoken and worked nicely that I didn't want to be rude.
It was 12:30 p.m.and she was nowhere to be seen. One glance at loads of work, and my anger started to brew. Suddenly my phone buzzed. It was Kajal. This time I
was prepared to vent my anger on her. As I picked up the phone, she started talking without giving me
any chance to speak.
“Bhabhi, I won’t be able to come today.” She informed. ‘What a breaking news it is!.’ I thought
irritably.
“Why!?”
“Someone has called me for facial. Three facials
and waxing!" She was chirruping. "And you know bhabhi today in the evening I'm going for a bridal make-up with Shalini didi! This wedding season I hope to earn good. It’s good, isn’t it?”
She was expecting me to be happy for her “Yes.” Don't know why but I didn't want to disappoint her.
I looked at the heap of dirty utensils in the sink
helplessly. But I smiled. I was happy that she was rising. She dared to dream, worked hard and she was approaching
her big dream gradually.
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