| Festivities are never over |
Jilebis and Jamuns, Samosas and Semia-payaasam,
Custards and cakes, pastries and puddings,
Dosas and desserts, idlis and icecreams,
Fruits and fritters…. .
Oucch-the table creaked and groaned
Colourful was the spread at Madame’s Birthday.
Even more was the crowd.
Diamonds sparkled, gems glittered in exquisitely embroidered sarees,
Hairdos bobbed, rings flashed even as manicured and nail-polished hands
Lifted delicately to take a dainty bite.
A little of this, a little of that- messy leftovers on the plates, as wilted samosa wedges languished in gooey ice-cream puddles.
The door opens slightly; a timid head comes around as if on cue to bring in some water.
She drinks in the sight thirstily- her thirst will be quenched with a mere cup of watery tea.
After all, she’s only the maid in this massive mansion.
She puts a finger in her mouth –an imaginary, succulent bite of the delicacies.
Oh! Is that orange looking sweet what is called a jilebi that Janakraj was eating in yesterday’s Cable movie?
Oh! Is that melted, whitish thing called ice-cream?
A harsh voice cuts into her dream-“Get out! Haven’t you finished your work?
It was one big bash
Of the rich and famous,
Of the bold and the beautiful.
They partied hard for that was the only thing they knew.
It was late when they left and later when Madame’s kitchen staff cleaned up.
“ Pack up the leftovers”, Madame ordered the Head Cook. “I’ll take them over tomorrow to the orphanage ”.
Get going”, The head cook yelled at the little girl. “What are you gawking at? There’s so much work to do”.
Later, gushing speeches were made
at a special Thanksgiving Ceremony at the orphanage.
Subsequently,a heavily painted Madame smiled broadly into a TV camera
to explain what charity was all about.
In a not too distant slum, a little girl watched her mistress elaborate on charity.
She sucked her thumb noisily and hungrily- an imaginary bite of an imaginary jilebi.
A watery cup of tea was after all her lot.
Didn’t somebody say something about charity beginning somewhere?
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