Pixabay
"You silly old maid, who do you think you are, roaming around the quarters like you own the place? Now get on your knees and scrub!"
You could hear the roaring scream echoing the hallways.
Her life wasn't always like that. She wasn't born with a silver spoon but she could at least account herself to have lived a decent life. That was of course, until life threw her a curve ball.
"Better make sure these tiles are sparkling clean when I get home, ya know the drill. Or else...", her head barely missed a thug.
"Yes, ma'am."
As she was done with the floors, off to the stairs and then the hallways. Next were the rooms- first the master, then the guests, and finally the toilet scrubs.
Never once had she complained or felt pitiful of where she is today. It wasn't some sort of punishment or slavery, she was learned, smart and kind, and her family wasn't in need. She could have become whomever she wanted to be, but she found herself in the profession due to a peculiar call.
Over the years, she'd transfer from home to home and it wasn't because the employers did not want her, they'd beg for her to stay. You'd think with such small stature, work would never get done. Her work was top notch, with a cherry on top.
There weren't many families she worked for, because she made sure she'd pray and choose well. Once she starts with a new home, she'd be there for at least 5 to 10 years.
Friends and family were puzzled by her choice of profession, some even mocked at her seeming silliness. Nobody knew why she chose to be a maid. In a society that values titles, positions and the wealth that comes with it, working as a maid is as good as being at the bottom of the chain.
"Meema..." squeaked the little voice. That's what the little ones would call her.
Hurriedly she'd look up, her heart beat with a joyful rhythm and her lips curb up into the brightest smile.
"Yes, dear..."
"Can I please have some cheese naan? I'm hungry."
"Sure, give me a minute."
A minute would magically quicken her wrinkled hands. A minute would quicken those steady feet.
She'd look at the little boy from a distant, her heart warm with comfort knowing that his little need was met.
She had not given birth, she never got married. But she has many children, of which she cradled closely in her heart.
"You are loving, you are strong, and you are kind. You can do many great things when you put your heart to it."
She cooked them meals, taught them simple ABCs, fixed their broken toys, and band aid their little ouchies. To many little ones, she was closest to what a mother could be.
Many employers hired her thinking they would educate her and make her straight, but oh, how they got it wrong. In the end, not only did she teach the children to love their parents more, she taught the parents to love and care for their children, too.
Every night, she'd go to bed knowing deeply that this is her call.
A calling to love families, and to help families build life together.
No, not pitiful at all.
art and flair courtesy of @PegasusPhysics
