No assistance or charioteer, only determination and bravery
KATHMANDU: DEC. 2 – “I will not go to an old age home; I will die in my own old man’s house,” the 83-year-old grandma said, her resolve and strength shining through.
Rust has begun to develop on the house’s roof. Certificates hanging via zinc holes sparkle. She cleans because she doesn’t want to see even a speck of dust on those certifications from nearly half a century ago.
“I love these certificates more than I love my interest,” she added, stretching her aged cheeks. She traveled around a lot in Kathmandu. Many objects were misplaced, thrown away, or destroyed, but Purnashoba Tuladhar never let these certificates separate from her.
These certifications were given to her when she was teaching sewing. She’s like a lonely person trapped in a barracks and a covered patio. The latter part of a person’s life is covered. Purnashoba and her spouse were childless. But, now that I think about it, she shouldn’t have been alone if she had children.
“There was no scarcity as long as there was a couple, but now there is no one to give hot water.” ‘I hope I could have a child.’ Her voice and expression betrayed the grief in her heart.
Some individuals even advise Purnashobha to go and remain in an old age home since being alone is unpleasant. But her mentality is defiant. ‘I know, the hand is still moving, and the hand is skilled.’ I’m going to die here. My spouse died at this house. “I’m not going anywhere,” she stated emphatically.
The things on the patio work well. Clothes may be found all over the place. There is no culinary material or bravery to cook; only self-confidence, which has kept her brave even at the age of eighty-four. She is in charge of her own life.
Going back to the past, she remembers her brother and sister who brought this courage and bravery. This courage has become her way of life now.
“I stated I’d start working after completing nursing training,” but my father and brother reminded me that girls need to walk more. I obeyed my father and brother and then turned away. However, something had to be done. I also went to Sunita Taylor Balaju to learn how to sew. “I learned to sew and created my own store,” Purnashobha explained. Sewing skills developed prior to marriage were carried along after marriage. This became her daily ritual as well as her source of money.
She has experienced leg difficulties since she was a kid. “When I was a kid, I cried a lot when my mother and I went to Machhindranath temple and I became sick.” “The legs that haven’t healed since then are still the same,” Purnashobha recalled.
She no longer sews; she hasn’t been able to sew clothing in a long time. But she hasn’t stopped manufacturing cloth bags and rubber band fragments. That is why she not only makes a living but also keeps herself active.
Following the wedding, the groom drove her to a rented room, where they spent the whole of the winter in the rain. “My spouse used to travel for work. Earned money is spent on food and clothing. ‘Wealth could not be acquired owing to a lack of savings, which is now a tragedy!’ she laments.
Her husband constructed a tin tent on the ancestral land he obtained and settled there after accumulating some money. It’s been over three decades since I first moved there. The days were ticking away. Her husband used to perform all of the sewings outside the house, but she continued to sew. Mr. Bishwaratna Silakar abandoned her permanently in the year 2070.
She is the wife of a man who is older than she is. It’s been eight years since my husband passed. But when she thinks about it, her eyes well up with tears. Her health ceased sustaining her when her spouse died. She couldn’t work because she was sick. What are lonely people supposed to do now? She described her experiences at the time. For two years, it was a rough trip. DB Vial, a young man who lives in a hostel near her house, is now attempting to assist her.
DB has been feeding her on a regular basis since 2072 BS.
Purnashobha said that she used to prepare food and feed him. “Even when she is sick, he looks after her. Maybe he would not have done so even if he is my son, she said emotionally.” “He has his own family but he treats me like his own mother.”
She used to sell bags and rubber bands in front of the house. Now those who know come to the house to buy. She said that a young woman named Anu now sells these items online. Her products are also sold from her Instagram account called Bajaiko Shop.
“I’ve lost my legs, but my hands move and I can see a little, so I’m continuing working.” She enjoys eating sweets and chocolates. “People used to say that when you’re old, you’re like a child,” she chuckled.
-Samikshya Gaha
