The Project
Everything about her was a lie.
"Yes, Madamji, I can clean, cook and mop too. Yes, I will drop the kids to school and fetch them back from school. Yes, I can use a washing machine and iron clothes. Don't worry about any work. I will come on time and leave only after finishing my work and promise, no holidays, no bunks Madamji. I am a very hard worker.”
She was wearing plain, simple clothes. A dull-coloured churidar with a chunni tied across her waist. The clothes looked too loose fitting and did not belong to her. Not a touch of makeup on her face, but she was fair and graceful. Girls of her age belong in schools and colleges. Not standing there and asking for work, Rashmi thought. She was carrying a jhola bag with her belongings packed in it. It looked like she had just landed in the city and started looking for work.
“Now, girl, tell me what all you can cook?” Rashmi asked.
“Madamji, you just name it, I will make it. Punjabi chole, Maharashtrian puran poli, Rajasthani dal bati churma, Gujarati khandvi, veg, and non-veg dishes. I know everything. I can cook everything.” The girl said with a beaming confidence.
Poverty teaches everything. Rashmi thought. At such a young age the girl can cook all these dishes. Great! Rashmi could not believe her luck.
“What’s your name girl? Aren't you too young to do all the housework?” Rashmi was concerned now.
“Madamji, I am Meera. I come from a small village nearby. My parents are poor, and so I have to work. Do not worry Madamji. I have worked before. The families I have worked with have loved me and paid me well too.”
After deciding the arrival time and work hours, the monthly payment was offered to Meera. It took some debating and much bargaining from both parties. Meera was appointed as the housemaid. She was shown around the house. The nursery, kitchen, dining room, garden and guest rooms were shown.
“You can eat here daily after the family is done with their lunch.” Rashmi offered.
This was welcomed by Meera with a satisfactory smile.
"Thank you, Madamji, I am grateful for this.”
With lots of thanks and a promise to start the next day, Meera turned towards the door to leave.
“Remember you will have to clean the bathroom and the toilets every week.”
“What?” Meera shouted. “Bathroom? Toilets? Oh, dear me, never.”
The words that came out stunned Rashmi. It was English with an accent.
“Sorry Ma'am, I am Meera, a college student. I am working on a project to demonstrate the life and work of housemaids. But for that, I cannot clean toilets, sorry.” She said as she ran out of the door.
Stunned, Rashmi realized that everything about Meera was a lie, except her name of course.
Meera, on the other hand, decided to interview the maids directly and developed a great respect for them.