Meet Urvashi Devi. She is our househelp and also a worker, hired by my Mom at her Pre-School. We call her 'Mausi'. Mausi is one of the most Hard-working and Honest person I know of.
Ever since the COVID -19 Crisis arose and the Lockdown was implemented, I have heard people talking about how they are helping their Drivers, Housemaids, Employees at the Office, and so many others in need. Really, this is such a Noble job done by them. We too have tried to make little contributions on our part.
But something unusual happened to us.
Let me start from the very beginning.
In September 2016, My Mom was Preparing to Start her own Pre-School. Everything was set, except that she needed, a reliable helper then. And Finally, she found Mausi. She was Keenly interested to work at a Pre-School since she always had an affinity to kids and For her, they were Like none other but her own grandchildren. Hence, she was hired.
Since Day 1, She has always been Precisely Punctual and shown utmost Diligence in her work.
A Few Months later, owing to some Family issues, she decided to work as a part-time househelp. My Mom immediately asked her to start from our house itself. From there on, Our bonds deepened with her.
Mausi is extremely Talkative in Nature. So whenever we are Bored, we randomly bring up a Topic before her, and she Always has a Story that relates to it.
For instance, I remember Once I was watching 'Fear Files' on TV and she was cleaning the room.
When suddenly she stopped and questioned me, "ଏଇଟା କ'ଣ ଭୂତ? "
(Are you watching a horror series?)"
I said "ହଁ "
(Yes)
She laughed for a bit and said "ଏସବୁ କ'ଣ ଦେଖୁଚ? ମୁଁ କହୁଛି ଶୁଣ।"
(Leave it. And listen to me.)
And there she started narrating the Story of her First Encounter with a Ghost.
It was Hilarious.
A year back, Papa Also got her a new Mobile Phone and Sim Card. She never had one.
She rejoiced in excitement.
It was as if her Joy knew no Bounds.
She went home and dialed everyone she knew of. Her husband, her children, her Relatives.
But the first number, that she made her First call to, belonged to my Mom.
Mausi has been a Great Part of our lives for the last 4 years.
Everything was going Smooth until the Coronavirus made Life Miserable for all of us.
Lockdown 1.0 started on the 22nd of March, 2020. So like everyone else, we too had to ask her to take leave till the situation Improvised. Papa decided to Provide her 3 months salary in advance as well.
But she refused to accept it. Despite our compellations, she was adamant.
She asserted that she would prefer a Regular Payment instead and requested us to Pay her Every Month like we used to. She wanted to keep Working with her Assurance that she would sustain proper Hygiene. We had no Counter and had to agree.
But a few weeks later, a Corona Patient was recognized just a couple of Kilometres away from our locality. So the entire area was shut down.
We restrained her from coming to work owing to the threat.
She hesitatingly agreed.
14 days later, around 6:30 in the morning, the doorbell rang. And it was Mausi, again.
She said, Since the Situation was okay then, she wanted to start working again. She had her mask on, so we let her in.
She has resumed working since then. And not only does she help Mom in the Household Chores, but she also brings the groceries for us, once or twice standing in those long queues, outside the stores.
Papa keeps giving her 20-30 Rupees almost every day for her daily essentials like Paan and Chai.
She never asks for it, but we know, it makes her Happy. My Mom has always been quite fond of Gardening. But could never make enough time for it. So recently, with ample time in hands, she started Kitchen Gardening on the Terrace. And yes, you guessed it right, Mausi has been helping her even with that.
For a Fact, My mom believes that the Seed Sown by Mausi Grows into a healthier plant as compared to the same Seed Sown by herself.
I am writing this Story with an Objective of letting you all know about this Woman to whom Work is Worship, and no hurdles like Lockdown can affect that.Whose honesty and integrity, that stand out, Is more than Applaudable. We are immensely proud of her Dedication to Work and are Really Glad to have known Someone, so Trustworthy in our lives. And Special mention to the Lockdown, that deepened our bonds further