Da 'maa' : The stranger who loved me for over 2 decades
It's Diwali!! My neighborhood and in fact every neighborhood in India is consumed in the festivities. The wives and mothers busy in the kitchen preparing the food that would be eaten by the family in a plate served fresh, unlike the usually packed lunch boxes. The fathers promising their kids that they would buy firecrackers enough to make the whole street jealous. The kids who can't wait until the night falls smuggled a few crackers and rushed out with their friends before the adults get hold of their crime. I was no exception in being equally ecstatic. I was rushing to the cellar (parking space of apartments) to see the kids play and then I saw her. She initially argued quite strongly but slowly started struggling to get the words out, especially after the person standing opposite to her said, 'you are just a maid. Know your limits'. I broke into tears. She always looked at me as if I am her most valuable possession. She always held me with utmost caution. She sp...