NAT’S PARADIGM

“Sir, why don’t you buy karpooravalli bananas? They are ripe. Only sixty rupees per dozen,” invited Rajeshwari, the vendor, as I was passing by her cart. “What do I do with a dozen? Leave them to God?” “Same dialogue everyday Sir. Ok, here, take half dozen and give me twenty-five rupees.” I bought them and went into Jeevan Super Market to make some more purchases. I knew Rajeshwari well, as she worked in my house in the morning, washing utensils, brooming and mopping the floors and helping my wife with certain small kitchen chores before leaving for her next assignment. In the evening, she parked her handcart with bananas in front of Jeevan Super Market and vended the fruits. An enterprising woman in her early forties, her elder son was studying engineering, second son in BCA and her was daughter in high school. All of them were studious, receiving state government scholarships. I passed by her cart two days later, again in the evening. She beckoned me, “Sir, try this r

“Mummy, why is your stomach so big?” “Because there is a baby inside.” “When will come out?” “In a few days, after we go to Ooty.” “Why Ooty? Why not here?” “Because that is where your grandma is there. She will get the baby safely out with the help of doctors.” “Will I also come with you to Ooty?” “Is it because of the baby you walk slowly?” “Yes.” “Why?” “The baby is sleeping inside. If I walk fast, the baby will wake up and cry, right?” “Yes. You walk slowly.” Guatam gave a kiss to his mother’s tummy. “I love the baby.” Indira hugged her son affectionately. He was in kindergarten; but he was extremely inquisitive, highly reflective and remembered a lot. His family returned to Trichy three months after Suparna was born. Gautam learnt from his mother how to take care of the baby, hygiene, why Suparna threw up sometimes, why the baby’s head was not steady, what burping did to babies, how to put her to sleep and such aspects. He learnt to put his baby sister