Anu is always curious

Anu is curious -
What is the rent for apartments in the building I live? Do I own the apartment or rent it? Where do my parents live? and siblings? Which part of the country am I from? What language I speak? Which festivals I celebrate? The questions are unending but phased. I ask about her life and she about mine. We end up having a Q and A conversation.

Nandini and mother return to work after five days of absence

Nandini came the next day and a few days following that. Then she went on leave saying her mother would work in her absence. Mother came on Day 1. For the next five days neither the daughter or the mother turned up. Yesterday, I cleaned up the house. I took some help from Kala. Today both came. I like Nandini so I just expressed my disappointment with her and asked her not to do that again. Nandini said she won't. I hope she means it.

Nandini will join the party...hopefully

I didn't call Laxmi again. She didn't come back either.

Today Anu got Nandini as a replacement for Laxmi. Nandini could be 18 or 19 (Anu says she is probably 17). Nandini babysits and works fulltime for another household. She has time only from 6:30-7:30 AM for my home. That works for me. She can understand Hindi but cannot speak...well, that works better for me :)

I told her to come tomorrow onwards. Hopefully she will.

Anu felt safety was a concern these days. She got Nandini since she could vouch for her. Anu is such a big help!

Kala has taken leave for tomorrow. I gave it to her happily. This is her first leave in over a month.

The sound of bai at work

Every morning I like the noises that come from the kitchen when 'bai's are at work-dishes being washed, drinking water being filled into the bottles, clothes being washed, laughter of the maids while they work, the sound of their payal/anklets as they move from one room to the other...and the smells-of phenyl, soap and detergent...its just the overall feeling that my home is being cleaned and I love it!

Kala takes over some of Laxmi's work

After Laxmi left, Kala has started to mop and sweep. I will pay her additional money for this work. I asked her if she knew how to clean toilets. She didn't. I will teach her. I was relieved to learn that Kala does not work for any other house besides my own. Maybe she can do my entire work? Do I want that arrangement? I am not sure. Maybe she will have ego clashes with Anu or maybe she will go on a long holiday leaving me at shackled to household work. I don't know. Also, Kala and I do not speak the same language. Anu is our translator. I don't see that to be an issue for work but if one month down if Anu and Kala do not get along (Currently they are close friends but I know by now that there is nothing certain in the baiworld. Anu and her sister fought often)...the situation can be sticky.

In any case, Kala seems happy to take on the additional work for now. With that help, I am happy.

Laxmi disappears yet again

So Laxmi took her monthly salary as promised on the 4th. She hasn't reported to work since. She again complained about the money and that she would want to do my entire work. I refused again and kind of scolded her for bringing the same issue month after month. I told her I could not let Kala go since she does a good job and is need of money. Laxmi was not happy. She hasn't come since. I have decided not to let her work with me again in case she decides to come back. In the meanwhile Kala and myself are doing Laxmi's work.

Another month ends with the year

No one can say I didn't try. The truth is that I did. I paid Anu and Kala on the first but not Laxmi - I am still burnt from last month's experience. Anyhow, she asked me today if I would pay her since she needs to pay her landlord (common excuse but I understand). I told her to remind me tomorrow.

This month Laxmi took four days leave...obviously without letting me know in advance. I would most likely pay her the whole amount with a warning this month.

Laxmi these days comes to work with her daughter, Mala who is maybe 14-15 years. Laxmi mentors her on various household chores. For most time, Mala is distracted by the TV, outdoors or other electronics at home. I gave her a chocolate yesterday. Mala did not eat it immediately. She wanted to share it with Laxmi and her bother, Harish. I was impressed.