There is an unspoken law of conduct that you have to
strictly adhere to when it comes to Neighbors Maid. No kidding about that, it’s
a very serious matter and comes with hell lot of implications and can have grave repercussions.
So it happened, one day I was just taking a stroll in the
parking lot where my kids were riding their bicycle. One of our neighbor, Aunty/
Mrs K, is dreaded equally among maids and other neighbors. If she asks someone,
who is working at your place and if she is good, then you can surely kiss that
one goodbye. And also be sure that the maid knows what you told Mrs K and more (a
spiced up version). So this was a well known fact in the society.
But what do you do when she comes to you with a smile (just
like to one receptionists have), saying ‘Oh my god, such lovely kids. They will
grow up to be fine people. Just like my grandkids’. And I am thinking, ‘Yeah
right, you can guess that just by taking a look at them. Just live with them
for one day. Oh, don’t have time for sweet talks, have to think of an excuse to
run away from this conversation right now. Why don’t’ these kids have to go to the
Loo when I really want them too, otherwise they are shouting their lungs out in
the movie theatre, restaurants and malls. I would even prefer to talk to a Customer
care unwanted call for a new credit card. How about giving feedback for the really
expensive restaurant we went for last weekend.’ My mind was thinking fast, but
not fast enough.
‘I have a really bad backache for sometime now and my maid
is troubling me a lot. She is taking advantage of my situation.’ Mrs K says
with a heavy voice, almost on the verge if breaking down. ‘Do I have foolish
written all over my face, why is this happening to me, esp when I thought I
have a settled maid affair.’ I am thinking. While Mrs K continues with her plight,
‘Uncle is also retired, and keeps asking me for tea all the time. And now I
have some guests planning to come down to see us because we are not well. Why
do they have to come to see us, instead just send us tickets and we will come
to show them that we are fine. Anyways, can you ask your maid to come and help
me for 4-5 days, while I try to find someone else.’
Before I could say, or even think, ‘Ask her to come at my
place first because I have an appointment later in the hospital, if you don’t
mind’. Ofcouse, I don’t mind, I don’t have a mind to mind.
So the next day, my maid comes at 12 noon instead of 9 am
and tells me that I am not paying her enough. I couldn’t stop crying that day,
or atleast that’s what I told my Mom, and my husband, my friends and my other neighbors
and the other maid. Almost posted on Facebook and twitter.
But I am going to avenge this, ONE day. I will not take this
sitting down. Thought about that for the next 8 months and then we moved to
another apartment.