The new Abode

Short Fiction ~ Sudha Vishwanathan
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Third Prize, Strands International Flash Fiction Competition - 20 


Savitri aunty hummed a melodious rendition of the late Carnatic music maestro,  MS Subbulakshmi, as she carefully kept her sarees from the neatly arranged cupboard into suitcases.
 
I watched in awe at the exquisite collection.
I have often seen aunty draped in those lovely sarees when she visited the temple or attended a wedding alongwith uncle.
 
Pointing towards a saree with a beautiful combination of navy blue and pink border, she mentioned with a blush on her wrinkled face, 'This is my wedding saree.'
I expressed my admiration for the texture and durability of the nine-yard saree, marveling at the unfaded zari borders.
 
Aunty explained that in her time, women wore the nine-yard saree on all auspicious occasions, unlike the present generation. Despite of repeated usage, the unfaded zari stood testimony to the flawless work in those days, nearly five decades ago, she avered.
 
Recounting the instances when she wore the saree, Savitri aunty shared how her co-sisters envied her for possessing such a unique piece, unlike their monotonous red wedding sarees.
Aunty rolled her eyes dramatically as she described how her father had bravely deviated from the tradition of red sarees, facing opposition from other family members.
 
Running her fingers fondly over a six-yard silk saree with a lotus color and a green border, she started sharing the story behind it. Her husband had gifted her this saree during her eighth month of pregnancy, and it had attracted attention and sparked discussions among relatives about her husband's love for her.
 
Upon the birth of their son, her husband had gifted her another exquisite six-yard silk saree. She displayed that one too with utmost delight.
 
“Uncle had earnestly requested me to continue wearing the silk sarees even after he would be gone. He didn't want me to stick to age old traditions wherein a widow has to wear only sober clothings.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she missed her better half, who had passed away the previous year at the age of 77.
“I do not wish to disappoint his kind soul. I feel he is watching me from wherever he is. That is why I am taking these sarees alongwith me.” She wiped her moist eyes.
 
Aunty's son Rajan who lived abroad was scheduled to arrive in India today and had assured her that she wouldn't be staying alone in her house any longer.
He had also indicated about having finalized the sale of the house.
Savitri aunty always spoke fondly of her only son, daughter-in-law, and her two grandchildren.
The septuagenarian's life revolved solely around them.
 
A week ago, Aunty had said that she would need my help in packing her bags and organizing final wrap up of  things in her house. With pride lit large on her face she explained that her son was to come only for a day to take her.
 
I had taken the day off from work to assist her in packing. Her fondness for various coloured combination sarees became evident as I arranged her suitcases.
 
She then handed over a beautiful saree to me. It was an off white one with maroon border.
“Keep this as a gift from me, and do wear it on some occasion. It will remind you of me.”
 
I assured her that I didn't need any momento to remember her.
Though we were neighbours, aunty had been more like a mother figure to me.
After my parents passed away in an accident and in the same year when I got separated from my husband, both uncle and aunty had been like pillars of support.
 
“Keep it,” she said. “You need to wear sarees often. What if you are single now, someday you will find someone.” She sounded very confident.
At 45 my hopes of finding a compatible partner had wanned. A faint smile escaped my lips.
 
 
As we were clearing the kitchen Savitri aunty asked me to take any extra groceries and perishable items, teasing me about my lack of cooking skills.
“I have seen the food delivery persons at your doorsteps very often.” She chided me lovingly.
 
I hardly bothered to cook. Preparing a meal for a single person according to me was a cumbersome job, but Savitri aunty opposed my theory vehemently. She was an excellent cook and would prepare small quantities with utmost precision. She had infact suggested that I should share her meals everyday. Many a times she had offered me her delicious preparation, but I would decline to accept it at times, feeling embarrassed. That wouldn't discourage her and every other day she would be at my threshold with some food whose aroma forced me to give up on my stubbornness.
 
I smiled as I envisaged aunty wearing the pretty silk sarees and preparing delicious food in her son's house. I was almost certain that she would garner admirers there with her charming versatile personality.
 
Just as we finished arranging the suitcases, Rajan arrived. He seemed confused at the sight of the luggage.
“Ma, you don't need to carry your sarees. They have a uniform there for everyone. Elder ladies like you are given a flowing gown in blue and white while men have similar colour combination of shirt and trousers. I have chatted with them and understood how well they take care of elderly people.”
 
As the reality dawned upon her, aunty's face showed a mix of emotions, realizing that she wouldn't wear her beautiful sarees anymore and that her son had made this decision for her without bothering to consult her.
She struggled to camouflage her disappointed behind an enforced smile.
 
My eyes blurred out at the sight of aunty wearing a simple gown and sitting idle all alone.
 
Without uttering a word I picked up the suitcases and gestured to aunty to follow me.
 
I shall not need the food delivery persons anymore. Cooking for two would be fun that too under the auspices of a lady like Savitri aunty.
We entered the threshold of aunty's new abode.

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Mrs.Sudha Vishwanathan, a professional tutor, took to writing as a hobby. She generally writes short stories but has also received accolades for her poems. Many of her short stories have been published in the Woman's Era magazine. Her stories and poems have appeared in anthologies. Soul-stirring articles on true-life incidents she wrote have been published on the TOI online page. She actively participates in many fiction writing forums and has won quite a few accolades. She has won the TMYS story award for her inspiring story, "The Daughter."

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