A life that filled life in me
I was wandering around the Basantapur Durbar Square and then I saw this old lady. It was her smile that pulled me towards her and sit with her.
She's Balkumari Karki from Sindhupalchowk. My husband died 40 years ago, I am now 80. I stay with my daughter but my son in law doesn't like it( She had her beautiful smile throughout). She sells maize for people to feed the pigeons around the temple. "I bring 5-10kgs of maize a day. The shopkeeper allows me to keep a due sometimes." To each pedestrian, she greeted 'hello' and requested to buy her maize for the pigeons . I sat down with her to help her sell. I requested few of the people and a guy finally bought a bowl of Rs.20. She was so thankful. A next person bought a bowl of 50. She then, quickly prepared a bowl of 100. To my surprise, her prediction just came true that the next customer bought that bowl of 100. She was so happy and thankful.
she has her meal twice a day only and so I asked if she was hungry that moment, she said no but her eyes said yes. I had asked her if there is something she wanted to eat. Then, I made her wait and came back with some packets of cookies, a bottle of juice and one thing that she wanted to eat i.e. a packet of cashew nuts. These packets of food we normally eat at home were the packets of happiness and joy to her, I could feel her gratitude in her eyes.
Finally, I asked if I could click her photo, she almost took 5 minutes to keep aside her bag packs and manage her hair and dress. I had a real wide smile looking at her preparing for the photo. And finally her pose was a real joy to watch. She's invited me for next visit. I really hope to see her some time again....
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