N for New Address

Change is inevitable. But we as humans always detest change, right from miniscule things like changing the brand of coffee we drink, or the paste we use to brush the teeth to the big ones like changing jobs or homes. 

My brother and I decided that we need to move our parents to a new home owing to my mom's increasing knee problems. My dad was hell bent on rejecting all our proposals of changing homes. He kept giving one or the other reason to avoid it. It took us close to 2 months with a lot of cajoling and convincing to make him agree for the move, and finally they shifted to the new home, much closer to my place (not that they were too far away earlier, but this new house is even more closer) last week, and have slowly started to get settled. 

All the while when I was engrossed in convincing my parents for the move, my neighbors were planning their move back to their own house which was demolished and reconstructed. I don't know how or why, but this neighbor was never just a neighbor to us, they were more like family. It was a family of 6, split in 2 houses in our floor. S Akka & her husband, with their parents, sister and a daughter. Akka is the dynamite of the house, the most caring and ever ready to help and sharing all our joys and sorrows. There was never a day she'd skip telling us her dinner menu and asking if we needed anything at all. 

They came here when I was pregnant, and spoilt me with all sorts of foods and homemade delicacies. Any food they prepare or receive, they always used to reserve a portion for me. Well, those were the pregnancy perks, I guess. And once I gave birth to the little boy, he became their absolute favourite. No day would passby without her giving the little one a loving squeeze and taking him to her home and making him play there. 

Can't really keep track of the number of times she has given rasam or the entire breakfast of idli or dosa or upma for the kiddo. I mean, they were just too close to be called neighbors. Everytime we had any guests, my MIL would make it a point to introduce S akka, and explain them about her, and she also did the same when she had guests over at her place. 

The odds of having such a neighbor in a city such as a Chennai where everybody is hurrying around with their work is almost negligible. And I think we were really lucky to have S Akka as our neighbor. 

The void that she has left in the whole apartment is literally eating us all, especially in the evenings. The sight of the locked doors and the silent pathways are making us feel very lonely and dull. I personally miss the smile that she flashes everytime she walks past our door. S Akka and family will always be missed.

I hope we do have some family or someone come occupy the houses soon. May the silences be broken by the hustle and laughter of people and kids.