Foreclosure

 ***Inspired by real incidents.. this story is not to give any message.. it just an incident that I happen to observe..”

 Sridevi , was in office. It was past 10 PM. Another 2hrs to go for the day.. She was into her deep thoughts , I assume that she was making a plan for the next day release by overlooking the team. Suddenly, her mobile interrupted with a vibration. With hesitant, she looked at the mobile questioning herself, “who would be at this time?”.  The mobile displayed  “Amma” calling. She disconnected the ring and started staring at the mobile for 2 secs with a terrified look. I could sense, a strange fear that caught her.  Sometimes, our instinct could tell the other end mindset if we are connected so well. Might be she would have sensed something wrong.. I waited patiently and observed her.. I could say she was confused while she dialed back her mother. After the call, she moved out of the place. I silently followed her as I was concerned. I found her near the staircase looking at the stars.. "Hey, all fine?", I interrupted her. “Yes! Not completely, but fine..,” she said by looking at me. I understood something was not right.. “Is that something you want to share” , I asked her?

 She went to her thoughts again as I asked. As soon as i dialed back, my mother was in hurry to complete something. “House is sealed by bank. We need money”, broken words from my mom,  I could not understand, but the tears popped up already. Composed myself, “what happen., tell me clearly”, I ask my mother. The education loan of your sisters are not cleared. So the bank has put banner in front of house as the loan is taken on the house..  “Okay.. how much loan we may need to pay?”, I asked.. “At least 1 lakh immediately”, my mother said.

 I told my mother that I would do something and kept the phone but ideally I am super confused on what is next. Whether to cry or  keep calm as I am in office and the biggest question is “how to arrange money?”.  “what happened?  is it all fine?, Sridevi", I interrupted her. “All fine, with a smile” Sridevi confirmed and said “Lets go from here... “ We moved from there..

 Something disturbed me about her. Was she really fine ? I wanted to know exactly what happened…! I could not wait to know her concern in-detail. I wanted to help Sridevi. I hoped she would tell me everything.

The next day in office, I was looking at her place for her arrival and any moment she would be here as the time was already 3 PM. As time passed by, she walked into the office, with headset on ears as does everyday..

 “Hey, Sridevi”, I said.. She looked up to me and smiled. I could easily predict that she did not sleep yesterday night and her face was swollen.  I rushed to her place, “is it all fine, I was just worried.. Can you please let me know what exactly happened.?”, I asked.

 She smiled and begun to brief, “nothing big.. The bank has threatened to foreclose my house.. So I need to arrange some money to pay back. I have taken care of that. All cleared and now I am fine”, She confirmed and “thanks for asking”, she said. Eventhough I was taken back for a moment, “How much?”, I asked.  “For now , I paid 1 lakh “, she said.

 “Where you got so much money?. Is that money you saved all this while for the promise you have taken to yourself keep it as bankbalance?”, I asked with unbelievable look..” Uhmm.. Sort of..But now all fine.. I can restart from here one more time..”, She smiled and moved towards the conference room.

 I was quite surprised ! From the day, I had this question, for who’s mistake she was paying for? Was that really money that they could not afford or was that bank treated them badly or some ignorance?

Saritha Subramanian