Haule Haule

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Rains have arrived in Mumbai and how. The Monday started with heavy rains, Tuesday was the wait for the winds to churn us up a little more. My Cook, Eat, Clean and Sleep playlist which has been running on a loop, got some fancy music. Rains were soothing. Mother Earth was not too keen on releasing its 'Saundhi khusbhu' of the first showers. Do not blame her as this time our senses were ready for the Nisargh attack. Body is working on high alert with all systems firing but no where to go. Keeping yourself safe is a strange phenomena. Does it mean believing that I am invincible? Does it mean that it will come due to herd spread any which ways? Does it mean that pray and hope for the best? Really what are we thinking right now? How come I am not convinced that more people are impacted by the common cold? All those desires to learn new things, try new stuff in the kitchen, paint new masterpieces etc. have they all faded?

Most people living in buildings and societies are having a war on their building WhatsApp groups. The question of whether to allow house help in the building is the reason for this. The working women are leading this war from the front. They have to sit in front of the computer the whole day, manage their meals, spouses and children along with managing Bosses, meetings  and reports. They need the maids at home more than even the elderly. The elderly couples living on their own find the work load a lot but consider health and safety more important.  The Working Women do not have any such qualms. Building committees are facing the grave issue of allowing House help or allowing 'Relatives' who can chip in with the housework and stay with them. Living in the same building, but flat owners live in different worlds. From their views, one would think, they live in 2 different parts of India  namely Red zone and Green zone. People who are fed up of house work or have no family members helping at home, they want to have their local House Help coming to do the housework. In India, everyone praises the Western countries, but no one wants to do their own housework. The dust is more in India so house needs cleaning every day. Plus we cook more elaborate meals, so more dishes to be washed. We bathe everyday and wash all our used clothes daily. So our daily chores are a continous affair and the weather is warm. Plus we are used to maids all our lives so we have not done any house work ever. Now during the Lockdown, taking on all the housework seems like climbing Mount Everest. It is funny that our dependence has grown so much on external house help. I am including myself in this category too.

One thing I have realised, I am able to accomplish quite a few things, even in the absence of my numerous Household Help. I want to do certain things and am managing to do them easily. Rest have been kept on a back burner and how. Relationships are working full throttle. There is ease and connect in people and communication. There is no fear that someone will feel bad, I have to do the right things, I need to call so and so,  I have to attend this event etc. etc. Life is meandering at its pace, leisurely. Nothing to say and lots to feel. Just like the silent rain....Haule Haule. 




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