Her self- styled home is visible from the T-point, and whenever I pass by, my eyes automatically turn towards that direction. She would be there, either sitting or sleeping. She used to have limited things, all locked in a big trunk, a folding bed with mattresses, blankets and few plastic sheets to cover her from rain and cold.
It's nearly twenty five years since I met her. She used to occupy a corner space in the ground floor of the multistoried complex and used to sleep above the trunk, keeping her essentials closely tied to it. My neighbours told me, she is a retired Principal of a Govt. School. I was shocked to find a retired School Principal, that too a lady, in a state of homeless. After retirement she had to vacate the accommodation, and as she had no place to go, she was staying there. She used to be very irritated when children cried and used to shout at them and their parents. Still people were sympathetic about her and she continued her stay like that for nearly 7-8 years.
Once she came to my residence. She requested me to allow her to use the bathroom. I offered her tea. Though I was polite, I was scared a bit, as people warned me, 'when she gets angry, she attacks'. I had a brief interaction with her, she shared her feelings of apprehension and fear of staying inside a house. She said that with her pension money she can very well live in a house, but scared of staying alone, as she had an apprehension that someone close to her might cause her harm. Neighborhood people were used to be nice to her and many times I saw them giving her food. Once a journalist took her interview and an article about her life was published in "The Pioneer" (?). I understand people from Women Shelter Home came to take her , but she refused. That time she was in her early sixties.
In due course of time she was asked to vacate the campus. She moved silently and took shelter by the road side. She arranged her belongings occupying a small space. There used to be a temple close by. The temple people gave her bathroom and washing facilities, and she used to walk down to Andhra Bhawan to have her food. The healthy "she", started using supporting stick while walking. Though she was looking old, she seemed to be fit. Suddenly, the temple got closed overnight. She became visibly old, weak and lonely. Slowly, she started using walker. Occasionally I visited her to give prasad . She would accept but would not interact.
It's about a month back, I noticed one young girl helping her with her clothes. I was a kind of relieved to see someone with her.
Today I suddenly realized the other side of the road is clean and empty. I stopped to ensure that she is not there anymore. I asked people working nearby. They said there might be some complain, so some women organization had taken her with them.
Yes, the journey ends here….
I know, my writing a page about her would not make any difference in anyone's life. Also I know, I never extended any helping hand to her. Still, I was observing her journey from a distant. Her survival of every thunderstorm, heavy rains in last twenty five years was commendable. Many a times, I remembered her on a rough weather day and silently appreciated her courage to survive all storms in life. And suddenly, not seeing her there by the road side today left me with an empty feeling.
I do not even know her name… but wherever she is, I wish her peace and a life free from fear.
