Aruna's Endurance

Arun a mid-aged house-wife was hired to look after my ailing mother-in-law. She is a semi-skilled, hardy and intelligent nurse. However, she became ours family friend sooner by her amicable behavior. Apart from nursing duties she performed other domestic helps. She has along story of her own. One day I was listening to that.

Aruna got married to a middle class family. Her husband had a running business in Kalyani. One day some jealous people poisoned her husband and he became mentally deranged. She tried her best to treat husband. It yielded no good results. The situation became so worse that she had to sell her ornaments, finally the business house. Already she became the mother of two daughters. In such pitiable situation, Aruna remained cool. She had to nourish her husband as a child and to maintain her two daughters. She wanted to do something. One day she met Namitadi who offered her a duty to look after a patient. This was her beginning. Doing all domestic works she used to reach Kalyani at evening. Nursing duty is of 10-12 hours. Again in the morning she has to rush home to see her children. This odd-duty she has been continuing for the last 25 years.

She took a challnge to educate her daughters. The elder daughter is now a college student. She is excellent in physical education, music and arts. The second one is to pass higher secondary this year. Both the daughters are happy with their mother.
Aruna dropped her eyes, recalling her past days. She could recall the tête-à-tête that was always on the village. Males used to whisper, gossip and laugh at seeing her outside home in the evening. They had many queries. They had the curiosity she moves in the evening? What she does? How do they live? All they silenced when her daughter passed the HS examination. Her daughter is the first girl from locality where she resides. Gradually they came to know about her. They were astonished that Aruna never begged to any one. She is self sufficient to run a family. She has not left her husband.

Now her husband is partly in good health. Aruna hopes he would recover. Everyday Aruna worships in his name.