Cheeru muthachi

ONLY ELDER

"She is sleeping. So, I thought I would drink some water too."

Achu and Janu were interrupted by their mother coming in to the well-room.

Achu moved in front of Janu and she poured water into his hands. He washed his hands and face first. Then cupped his hands and drank from it. The others took their turns after.

Achu's words put Janu's mind at unease. When their mother came and asked both of them to shift to Thekkeveedu to look after Cheeru  muthachi,  Achu had raised his objection. Janu didn't think much of that then. Cheeru muthachi was her grand mother's youngest aunt. She was the only elder remaining in her mother's family. It was their duty to look after her. The old woman was a recluse. When she had fallen and injured her hip, it was only by luck that someone noticed her and get her to the vaidyan-the traditional doctor.

Vaidyan Kunjiraman treated his patients at his institute only. So mother had gone and stayed with Cheeru muthachi there for the past month. But she could no longer stay away from home. So it has fallen upon Achu and Janu as her eldest children to take over. So despite Achu's objections, they were not given much choice. Yesterday Cheeru muthachi was shifted back here and while uncle stayed with her here for the day , mother came home to get them.