The Other’s Pain

Translated from the Original Hindi by Kanwar Dinesh Singh

“You’re late again today! If you can’t come to the office on time, why do you work? Let me know if you can arrive on time!”

“Sir, my child had fallen ill!” Supreeta said this in a pitiable tone. The image of Tinku, burning with fever, flashed before her eyes.

“The child is sick every other day… stop making excuses like this, or quit the job!”

When she returned home, she saw that Dhanno had not come for the afternoon chores. After giving Tinku his medicine, Supreeta began doing the household work herself.

The following day, Dhanno arrived, trembling. She thought to herself, “The mistress would certainly fire me.”

Dhanno was left speechless; there wasn’t a trace of anger on the mistress’s face. Mustering her courage, she said, “Mistress, my child is very sick.”

“Then why have you come today? Here, take some money. Get him treated properly. Come back to work only when the child has fully recovered. I won’t hire any other maid.”

Supreeta spoke these words with affection.

Dhanno couldn’t quite get it. She gazed with a bewildered look at the mistress and then at the money in her hand.

*Dr Kanwar Dinesh Singh,Poet. Storyteller. Translator (English/Hindi)

Email: kanwardineshsingh.shimla@gmail.com

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