The morning hues settled quietly amid the bustling market of Shankhamul. Rita slowly draped a long shawl around her shoulders to shield herself from the morning mist. It was rare for her to sit idly and enjoy her morning tea. Her mother had warned her not to dawdle outside for long, as she was prone to catching a cold. She will have sneezed a few times by the time she finishes her tea.

Across the road, she saw her friend Meera appear on the balcony. She was laughing at something her brother said. She teased her brother back, and they started to bicker like cats and dogs.

She was the elder sister, yet arguing like a little girl. I smiled to myself, “God! When will she grow up?” Then I realised the drooping shawl and remembered my mother’s scolding just a second back, “Rita, don’t forget to have a glass of water. When will you act your age, young lady?”

“Rita!” Meera called from across the balcony. “Want to go for a morning walk?”

I shook my head. I could tell from miles away how energetic she was for a morning walk. As I was about to get up, a hand reached out to take my cup and startled the life out of me. It was Kannchi didi—our house help. She has been with us since my mother was a little girl.

She played a significant role in my upbringing, serving as a grandmother figure I never had. My grandparents passed away early, so Kannchi didi, who was shy, calm, and always ready to help, filled that void. Her kindness was a constant trait. She didn’t have many hobbies except for occasionally enjoying rakshi (alcohol). When money was tight, she would sneak off to the liquor store near the vegetable market to buy vegetables, but often, what she returned with wasn't vegetables at all, rather her amusing and slightly spooky dance episodes.

“I can take the cup, Kannchi didi,” I said, but she insisted on taking it. As I returned to my room to get ready for the office, the bed was already made, and the room was spotless. I groaned and shouted, “Kannchi didi, will you stop doing this already and let me do my work?”

She replied, “Nani, I was just helping a little!” I freshened up and went to have my meal. My mother set a plate for me, and I found my favourite mango pickle on it. I asked my mother, “Wasn’t this already finished?” Kannchi didi made it again.

Time and again, she would remind me that a genuine effort is never wasted. People who love you will always have your back, no matter what. As I reached my office in Thapathali, I grabbed my water bottle. As always, it was lemonade, which I loved.

After a gruelling day at work, I was on the way home.

Tring….ring… the ringing of my cellphone jolted me out of my thoughts. I answered the call, and I could hear Meera blaring from the other side, “Rita, where were you? Why didn’t you answer my call sooner? Are you up for a hotpot?”

She fired a series of questions at me before I could form a reply. At the sound of the hotpot, my mouth watered, and I answered, ignoring her rapid fire, “Yes, why not. I am on my way to our usual place.”

I took a detour and arrived at Fulki Maya. We had our spicy chaat, pani puri and special hotpot. After having our fill, we left for home. And because she wailed with her imaginary tears that she was broke now, we ended up walking home. It wasn’t far, though. As we were walking down the road, I asked her, “How come you don’t have money? I just saw a Rs1,000 note inside your purse while paying for the food.”

I snatched her purse to show her the proof. “Hey! Don’t touch that money! It is very precious to me,” she said and took her purse back. Of course! Money is precious! I remarked, making a face at her, telling her what kind of absurd answer that was. She further said, “This is the money my grandma gave me for my new bracelet.”

“When did you get it? Just the day before, you were eagerly waiting for your salary,” I asked her. She grinned from ear to ear, flashing her pearly white teeth, and said, “Just this morning, I found the money in my closed fist. I guess my grandma slipped it in quietly. It was always her way of showering love.”

For a moment, I kind of felt envious. I thought how wonderful it would be if my own grandma were around.

When I reached home, lost in my thoughts, my mother was in the kitchen preparing a hot meal. The sight warmed my heart. I opened my shoes at the door and left to freshen up. When I returned and plopped myself on the sofa beside Kanchhi didi, she asked, “How was your day, nani?” I groaned and put my head on her lap, telling her it was so tiresome.

She slowly massaged my head. After lunch, I started cleaning the living room by taking out the litter and putting it in the dustbin. When I reached the door, I found my shoes neatly placed in the shoe rack. Oh no, I forgot again!

After that, I went to the balcony once again for a round of fresh air. I could hear my mother and Kanchhi didi having a duel over which masala was better for the curry.

It is the small stuff in life that counts.

Kannchi didi was our lucky charm, a blessing in disguise. She would be there for us no matter what. Even when my mother left for our relatives’ home for a few days, she would stay with me just so I could have a warm meal and not order takeout. What was the need to cook for this already grown lady? I kept wondering.

She always remembered my chores and prioritised me in everything she did, perhaps the typical grandmother's way. Though she never openly expressed worry or love, I recall how quietly she would slip a mango into my school bag before I left. She made sure my favourite cutlery was spotless before meals. My mother and I couldn’t imagine life without Kanchhi didi; she was always there for my mother, filling the void left by my father.

I never got to meet my grandma, but I have had our Kanchhi didi by my side forever. She loved me in her quiet ways. She cherished me like her own granddaughter. Maybe she will never tell me she loves me. But I always find her love shining in her smiling face, her glistening eyes and her warm hands that have held me throughout. Maybe that’s what loving is! And maybe that’s how she loves in her affectionate ways!