Forgotten!

She walked down the stairs, slowly, one at a time. Her rheumatism seemed to be bothering her yet again. Nevertheless, she managed to climb down, trying not to think how difficult it would be to get back up the stairs. But yes, it was always there at the back of her mind. It would be an ordeal, she knew. As always, she counted the stairs, noticed all the stains on the stairs here and there. The stains were the same, always there, since she had moved into that small hole of an apartment. She saw some new stains here and there, wondering about their origins. It was the rheumatic old woman's pastime while slowly climbing down the stairs. Us, we wouldn't understand it.

It had been quite a while since she had gone through this exercise of venturing out of her house. She never preferred calling that place a home. She knew she had deserved better. Well, life wasn't always fair. She knew it. Oh! How well she knew it. A sigh of despair escaped her lips. The past flashed in front of her eyes. Her eyes welled up. She looked around. She had reached the verandah of the building, a dreary, dull place with very little lighting. She moved towards the door, hoping to catch a few warm rays of the sun.

The door was slightly ajar and she pushed it wide open with her shivering hands. There was a blast of dust due to a passing vehicle, and the Sun's rays seemed to hit her harshly, hurting her eyes, skin all of a sudden. She reacted, withdrawing back one step. But then, she did move on. This was important. The work had to be done. The shop was right across the street. Some little kid helped her cross it, and she thanked him and walked into the shop.

The shopkeeper looked at her, and took out an envelope. On the envelope, he had written '35/-'. She counted the money slowly and handed it over to him and then gave the young man a smile. She turned to leave, but the shopkeeper placed a hand on her shoulders to stop her.
He said, 'Grandma, can I ask you something personal? it's about those photos'. She smiled at his curiosity and said 'Do ask, young man. I was expecting the questions'. In reply, he asked 'These photos, they are wonderful. They are her very personal photos. Aren't they? Each one more beautiful than the previous. Her fans would give anything to have them in their personal collection'. Her face seemed to register some surprise, and she said 'Is that true? Would people buy these photos?'. The shopkeeper said, 'Yes, of course. They would get you a lot of money. Would you like to sell them? I could help you do it'.

She thought for a few moments and put the envelope back on his table. 'Sell them' she said. 'I need the money'. The shopkeeper happily put the photos back in his desk drawer and said 'I myself would like to buy one. My father was a big fan. It would be a great gift. I will get it framed....' and he got lost in thought, probably thinking of his father's reaction to that gift. He immediately pulled out 200/- and handed it over to her, saying 'I just bought two of those photos'. She smiled and took the money, fumbling with her purse's zip, trying to put the money inside.

And then, he finally asked, 'Grandma, I am curious. How did you get hold of these beautiful pictures? Were you a friend of hers?'. In reply, she said 'Yes. Her best friend. Probably the only one she ever had' and smiled at him. He just wouldn't stop his barrage of questions and went on. 'Do you know where she is, these days?'. The old woman just smiled and said, 'These days, people just don't see well enough, they do not really observe. You wouldn't know if she were standing right here in front of you'. It wasn't a taunt, it wasn't said in anger, just a statement, made with a smile. As she turned to walk away, she said, 'Please send me the money to that first floor apartment you see over there. Walking till here, is such an ordeal for me...'. Her voice trailed off as she walked away, muttering something. The young man stared at her, as realization dawned. His eyes welled up. But he had no time for tears then. His next customer had arrived. He had work to do.