My farm house was the first structure to come up in this gated community in the foothills. Many sites had been sold but construction had not yet started. I visited daily to supervise the construction of my home. Work carried on 6 days a week. On Sundays there was no work and the complete site was practically deserted.
Many people visited the plots they had purchased. One plot was purchased by a young couple who worked out of town. The guy's parents lived in the town and this young couple would visit every two weeks or so. They were always accompanied by the guy's mother. One particular Saturday, they planted a variety of trees and plants. I visited their site. The young guy was helping the gardener water the plants being planted.
His mother and I got talking. She introduced herself as Madhu Deshpande.
"We have a house in town," she said. "This is my son's plot, but building a house is still some two years away."
Then: "Your house is coming up fast. When do you expect it to be complete?"
This is how the conversation went. Two strangers talking. Just words and no substance.
She informed that she and her husband moved into town 18 years back when her husband was transferred here. Since then they have been here and after her husband retired, decided to stay on and make this town their home.
"Where is your husband? I haven't been seeing him visit along with you."
"Oh! He's invalid, a wheel chair case. Most of the time he's bedridden."
Madhu informed me he was paralysed from waist downwards, and had been bedridden for the last 5 years. I was informed that they had a male nurse coming during the day to take care of her husband. This allowed her to have whatever little social life she had with her women friends.
I looked at her and saw a little sadness in her eyes. I looked at her sympathetically. She noticed the compassion in my eyes and looked down.
"I'm sorry," I said. "It must be difficult for you. You've probably had to give up many activities. Looking after a man who is bedridden is a full time job."
She touched my forearm. "Thanks for understanding. We were a very active couple, socially and otherwise. Now there's nothing. I don't mind foregoing some of the activities, but certain activities .... it has been hard."
She suddenly realized how it would look to a complete stranger, and blushed.
I patted her hand and said, "I understand, Mrs. Deshpande. Don't let it upset you."
She smiled gratefully.
We spoke a number of times when she visited. Madhu felt comfortable in my company. We were more or less of similar age, and talking was easy.
*****
I had had a small shed built at the place where my backyard would be, and put in a bed to rest in the afternoons when the sun was high. I equipped it with an electric kettle and had tea or coffee. I would visit occasionally on Sundays. I enjoyed the quiet as I checked the progress.
One particular Sunday as I was in the shed, the silence was disturbed by the sound of a car. I looked out and saw Madhu coming out of her car. I called and waved. She waved back. I walked up to her plot which was about 150 meters away.
"What are you doing here, Mrs. Deshpande?" I asked.
"My son couldn't visit this weekend. I had planned to visit yesterday but couldn't. I thought to drive up and see how the trees and plants are progressing. What are you doing here?"
"I usually come up on Sundays to look at the progress. It's quiet and very peaceful. So I spend a couple of hours and rest a bit in the shed."
"You've built a shed?"
"Just a temporary structure which will come down once the house is ready. At least I don't have to keep standing in the sun. I have arrangements for tea and coffee. Why don't you come up after you finish what you've come to do?"
"OK. Coffee seems tempting. I'll be up soon."