Fiction: Maybe that’s what loving is

The morning in Shankhamul market unfolds with a quiet mist, finding Rita pausing for a rare moment of idleness with her morning tea. Her mother's gentle admonishments about catching a cold are a familiar backdrop to her day.

Across the street, her friend Meera's lively banter with her brother offers a contrast to Rita's contemplative mood. Meera's energetic invitation for a morning walk is politely declined by Rita, who is still preparing for her office. The arrival of Kannchi didi, the household help, startles Rita as she takes her cup. Kannchi didi, who has been with the family since Rita's mother was a child, has been a constant, grandmotherly presence, filling a void left by Rita's early loss of her own grandparents.

Kannchi didi's quiet, ever-present kindness is a defining trait. While she occasionally enjoys rakshi, her primary role has been one of selfless service. Rita finds her room already made and spotless, prompting a playful protest, "Kannchi didi, will you stop doing this already and let me do my work?" Kannchi didi's gentle reply, "Nani, I was just helping a little!" underscores her nurturing nature. Even Rita's favorite mango pickle, thought to be finished, reappears on her plate, a testament to Kannchi didi's attentiveness.

As Rita heads to her office, she reflects on Kannchi didi's consistent reminder that genuine effort is never wasted and that loved ones always offer support. The day concludes with a call from Meera, eagerly suggesting hotpot, a prospect that immediately excites Rita, cutting through the weariness of her workday.