Grandma

As said by Priti

Priti’s friend, Aatreyi, was ravishingly beautiful. She had become a mother a few months ago. The month of January was around, and Kolkata could feel the pinch of the cold weather. Today was a sunny day, and Aatreyi was standing out with the baby in her arms.

Goodness gracious me, there was Vaarin, who had pulled a chair in front of his house and was basking in the pleasant warmth of the sun. He was a heavy-looking man who had stepped into his 50s. Vaarin mostly stayed in Canada and once in a while visited India to meet his elder brothers and family since their parents were no more.

This is what was heard about him: that he was a bit mentally imbalanced due to jealousy. He was jealous of his brothers and sisters-in-law and had a difficult character. So, his folks avoided him, but still, the eldest brother could not turn his face away. Somewhere, he had a soft corner for Vaarin.

Just as Priti was playing with her son, all of a sudden, she saw Vaarin coming towards her. Priti knew that if he held her, she would not know what to do, as this man was not stable. She caught hold of her son tightly, tucked her sari high, and swiftly climbed up the stairs. She was panting. Her grandmother-in-law could tell something was wrong. Priti managed to say the name, 'Vaarin', and Grandma could make out the rest. Vaarin climbed up the stairs, and just as he was entering the room, Grandma came out and said, ‘What? What do you want, Vaarin?

Vaarin had no words in his mouth, and his legs were trembling. "Ah, nothing, Grandma!". Then? Why here? Grandma’s eyes were burning with anger. What do you want? Next time you want something, ask me, but if I see you running after the daughters-in-law and the younger ladies of the house, I will turn you out of the house. Her last words were, ‘Get out’.

So, was Grandma-in-law a short, petite woman but mentally extremely strong? She was the matriarch of the family. Many a six-footer male used to take advice from her.

Priti hugged her grandma, ‘Oh! Grandma, you are great. Grandma smiled and said, ‘As long as I am here and alive, no one can touch you, child’. But slowly, you all have to learn to take care of yourselves.