6 | Narrating Narratives

Conversations with a researcher, Featuring a common housemaid

Me. Akka(Elder sister/my housemaid), I am making dosa for dad, will you also have? did you have food in the morning?

Akka. No, I didn't eat, serve me.

Me. Take your plate — I shall just serve you. ..ah…you were saying during lockdown people gave free food right?

Akka. Yes, they used to come to our colony and gave, but only for men.

Me. why is that?

Akka. Then what, they give in a gang and all men go, where will we go and take…we ladies have to cook our own food…

Me. … Akka, so it is not like the people who give only give for men, is it because of the way they give it? is it?

Akka. No no, if they wanted to give us also, they should just ask to make two lines right? like they do in banks — they don't think we need food, it is always like this in the slums.

Me. How are things now?

Akka. Now, it is even worse. So now no one comes to donate anything, so that thing is like as it was before, but now we don’t really need food, we need our everyday things, go to a job and all

Me. Yes, even I miss going to work, it's nice to be with people, isn't it?

Akka. It is not about being with people, it is the money, I used to work in six houses before, now I work in Two, I don't get enough to meet my needs.

Me. How are the kids managing then?

Akka. Oh! one good thing, no schools for a while, so no fees, no extra things, which also means they don't get free lunch.

Me. I hope things will get better Akka.

Akka. It is not about hope alone, I will have to find more means for a job, Look for maybe even sending my elder daughter to work somewhere, I have to get to it fast before things go more difficult.

(This conversation is translated from Telugu to English for the ease of reading)