The Veranda

Kavitha was in her 50s. She was staying in a locality called Hafeezpet in Hyderabad. Every day she would commute to another locality called Miyapur for her work. By profession, she was a housekeeper and she could able to manage three homes per day. Her work consists of cleaning the houses, utensils and washing clothes for the families. Her health condition does not permit her to work for more homes. She was operated for kidney stone five years back. She was surviving with that single operated kidney, with another kidney being damaged completely. But she was very sincere and punctual. She would not miss a single day of her work unless needed. Out of these three homes, she had selected one home for her refreshment and relaxation in between of her works. She would bring home-cooked food and water with her every day. Since the home was an individual home, it was easy for her to manage in one corner of the veranda of the house, for taking rest. Usually, the housekeepers were not allowed to use any portion of the house for their personal use, in the absence of the landlord or tenant. The people staying inside the home were very generous and knew Kavitha, for a long time. They allowed her to use their veranda anytime she needed. She would treat the house as her own house. The house was more than a workplace for Kavitha.

One day Kavitha came to the house for the cleaning work. She came to know that the tenants are leaving the house and moving to some other locality. "Kavitha, we are leaving this house by next month. We thought of informing you a bit earlier so that you will get some other house for your work", informed the lady residing in the house. After hearing this, Kavitha was a bit sad as if someone asked her to leave her home. She might get other house for work, but she won't get that comfort of the veranda from any other house. "But madam, why are you leaving the house? Any problem with the house or for any other reason?", asked Kavitha very curiously. "Yes, the house is a little bit far from my husband's office. It is very difficult for him to commute everyday for such long distances. Also, the new house is a little bit cheaper than this house", replied the lady. Kavitha did not say anything further. She understood their problem and left the place.

The month ended quickly. As informed, the tenants left the house with all their belongings. Even after the house was vacated, Kavitha was still using the veranda of the house for her relaxation. Till one week, everything went well. In the next week, the maintenance officer of the housing community came around the house for an inspection. It was in the afternoon, he saw Kavitha taking rest on the veranda. He warned her not to use the veranda for her personal need otherwise she will not be allowed to enter inside the community. After hearing this, Kavitha begged the officer, "Sir, my health is not good. I need some rest in between my works. My house is also very far to commute frequently". "The rules are for everyone and cannot be changed for anyone. If you are not well then better either you quit your work or manage till the next tenant comes", replied the maintenance officer in an authoritative voice and left the place. Kavitha was in distress, as this housekeeping work was the only source of income for her and she was the only earning member of her family. She would not get any new work near her locality because of her growing age and poor health. She cannot quit her job by any means. She was not very much comfortable with the people of the other houses where she was working because they were staying as a joint family and don't have extra spaces in their houses. So she took leave from the other houses for a few weeks and waited for the next tenant of the house to come. But she suffered a loss of pay due to this, as no one was ready to give her salary for so many days leave. The loss of salary was very much unbearable for Kavitha. So, she decided to come back to her work and will anyhow manage to work without any relaxation. Due to her stone operation, it was very painful for her to manage. But she had a hope that someday she will get back to the same veranda.

Two months passed. One tenant came to stay in that house. Kavitha was very anxious to know about the people, whether she can work at their home or not. One day, Kavitha met the people of the house and asked for housekeeping services if they need any. The people agreed to keep her for their daily works. Since those people were unknown to Kavitha, she felt a little bit awkward to ask for some space of their house veranda. It's been more than ten years, Kavitha was using the veranda and had developed a homely feeling for the same place. One day she gathered courage and told everything regarding her health condition to the lady of that house. "Madam, I know I don't have the right to ask for a favor from you. But knowing my poor health condition, if you could give some space of your veranda for my relaxation, I will be grateful to you", asked Kavitha. "I have been working there for more than ten years. This place is more than a workplace for me. It is like a second home for me to take care of", Kavitha further added. But the lady residing in the house did not respond to her as she was not comfortable with any housekeeper to use their home partially. Many days passed. The anxiety of Kavitha was increasing day by day due to her poor health condition. It was really difficult for her to work the whole day without taking rest.

So, one day she decided to quit her job and stay at home. She went to the tenants of the house for talking about the same. But in return, she got surprised to hear something from the tenants. After seeing Kavitha's sincere work, her dedication and attachment for the house, the lady of the house agreed to give some space of the veranda to her. The joy and happiness in the face of Kavitha were really noticeable as if she got her whole world back. She thanked the lady for her kind heart and left the place happily.