Undeserving Comforts

       As I finished my breakfast this morning and tried to get up from my seat with the plate in one hand and the glass in the other , Tulsi came forward with a smile and took both the plate and glass from me . 
         Ah ! Bliss.. 
          This is what I had been wanting at one point in my life . Some one to serve me and help me with all my domestic chores . This man had been literally pampering me .. fussing over my little needs . During my pre and post surgery days the kind of care and attention he gave me was unbelievable. My breakfast at 8.30, the glass of beetroot juice at 10.30,a plate of cut fruits at 11.30 , lunch at 1.30 all served bang on time. Like any elder in the family he would chide me for sitting too long at the computer , compel me to have that extra chapathi and assure me over the phone ,when I was in the hospital, that he would take care of everything .. my son and my home .
        To add to that I had the assistance of my maid Kiran who would do things without my telling her .She sometimes seemed to be a better  homemaker than me and had a very aesthetic sense regarding interior decoration. She changed the bedlinen and cushion covers before they got too soiled , didn't forget to pick the socks from the shoes and soak them for washing , didn't forget to collect Anian's tiffin from his bag and wash it too . All the vessels that were washed were well arranged later in the shelf.On certain days she even arranged my cupboard by changing the paper underneath and folding the clothes in a neat pile.
I had all the time for myself.To read , watch tv ,browse the net , dream, sleep and when I really needed entertainment of a different kind Kiran's little monk Aditya, kept me engaged with his little pranks .
          I was smiling thinking of my God-given comfortable life , feeling thankful .. when the phone rang .
     
....That was amma . The person who was supposed to come to assist achan in his morning bath and walk had not shown up. It is becoming difficult for her to manage though she never says so . She should have been enjoying the comforts I have now. She deserved it more . But it seemed there was no end to her hardships in life . She always loved to visit places and temples . But can't find a free moment to fulfill her wishes and today with her own health on the decline it all seems a far fetched dream .
     As I placed back the reciever her image came into my mind. Her petite frame of 74 years the grey hair and sunken eyes. How she had shriveled with age !
      My eyes turn moist and I offer a silent prayer for her and achan . I am not near them but I hope my prayers will take care of them and give them a comfortable life  .. or atleast spare them any kind of  pain and  agony in this  old age  . Amen !