Ownership?
“Please come from this side Madam. Oh don’t worry that will be fixed soon. By the time you come here everything will be ready.” The builder’s assistant was trying his best to please the couple in his characteristic pleasing tone.
Shanti was washing utensils in the basin when the contractor and the couple entered the flat. She had just finished preparing the lunch for herself and her husband. The couple gave a running glance to the whole room. The husband was not happy with the room’s condition since it was very shabby. The clothes were drying on a string, two open trunks lying in a corner, utensils lying in another corner, this was obviously not the picture he had in mind. The lady did not seem to have much problem. In fact she even gave an understanding smile to Shanti. After scrutinizing the flat for a while the party went away.
A little later Shanti’s husband returned for lunch. He informed her that the had couple liked the flat and the deal had been finalized. It was then that it dawned upon her that she would be leaving this flat soon. Her stay over here was over. Again a new construction, a new house. She always wondered at this irony about how come people who build houses for others do not have a house for themselves. Not even a hut? When she shut the newly fitted door behind her back she leaned on its surface taking in the smell of paint for a long time. She run her hand on the walls to feel the smoothness of plaster. It’s true that those tenants will never know the difference between a plastered wall and a non-plastered one. They will never know how windows and doors look without frames. She does. But what difference does that make to anyone except her? She still cannot be the owner of the place although she helped create it. To own it she needs to pay the price which she cannot afford. Everything in life comes with a price tag. Sometimes you know what you are paying, sometimes you don’t know.
She then started collecting her belongings.
