Patti ma!

She is not my paternal or maternal grandma.

She is the one who helps mom with the house chores.We call her Patti.

We never really had the experience of having a helper. But I have seen people around me who had—and still have. In many places, the way helpers are treated has always bothered me.

In our previous flat, our neighbour had a woman who was around 35 years old working as a helper. She had a daughter studying in the 10th standard. Many times, I noticed the girl sitting near the staircase, reading some book without even lights, while her mother would be inside the house cleaning vessels.One more disturbing thing I observed was that they used to remove their slippers near the parking area itself.

I don’t know where this started from.Is it discrimination from the owner’s side, or is it the inferiority complex or trauma they might have faced that makes them accept and react this way?

Coming to our Patti—we’ve known her for about 3-4 years. She was once our neighbour. From a distance, we assumed she was quite a serious and rigid person, as we had seen her in such situations.

But once we truly got to know her, we discovered her real self.She is one of the most innocent, calm, hardworking, and kind women I have ever met.

Among everyone, we two of us share a special bond. Over the last two years, it has grown even more beautiful.

Whenever I return from college, she would be sitting in the kitchen, chopping vegetables. The moment she sees me, there is an instant happiness that spreads across her face. And if I start searching for snacks in the kitchen, the very next moment she worries that she hasn’t brought anything from her home—and even regrets that she should have.

I once tried teaching her how to operate the lift so that she could use it. But she keeps forgetting.

And honestly, I’m still on a mission to somehow make her use it.

A few days back, I casually mentioned that I felt like eating kolukattais (South Indian dumpling made from rice flour, with a filling of grated coconut, jaggery. Although usually sweet, can sometimes be stuffed with a savory filling).

The very next day, there was a box full of kolukattais waiting for me.

I don’t know how to name or label this bond. Her intentions are as pure as a child’s heart. The efforts she puts in for us especially for me, are something I’ll always be grateful for.

Yesterday, my father jokingly said that in two years, if they move to our native place, I’ll be all alone at home since I’ll be working in Chennai.

Without a second thought, Patti ma immediately said:

“I’ll take care of her. There’s no need to worry about her at all. I’ll stay with her. All she wants is to eat fully whatever I prepare for her.”

That moment left me overwhelmed.And at the same time, deeply contented.

She spends around 4–5 hours at our home. When she takes leave, the house feels dull. We miss her continuous yapping—even though, at times, it’s the same repeated, boring stories 😄.

I truly wish I could articulate all this and share it with her someday!