G mami's secret (715 words)

Ambujam mami knew almost everyone in the sprawling apartment complex She had the knack of befriending everyone with her pleasant conversation. Always well-dressed, she was a picture of grace wearing a smile on her face. She lived with her husband, who worked long hours, and their daughter, Sumitra, who also had an office job.

Alone and idle during the afternoons, Mami wandered the complex, gathering information by chatting with neighbours in the lobbies, play areas, or pathways. Twice daily, she took walks where she’d meet most of the residents. Nothing happened in the complex without her knowing—new tenants, pregnancies, children's schools, family disputes—she was aware of it all. This knack earned her the nickname "Gmami," with the "G" representing both her block and her gossiping nature. It wasn’t her fault, she believed, that she knew everything and occasionally shared it with others. Still, many residents tried to avoid her.

These days she had been noticing for the last few months every weekend, when she went out to visit relatives, a young man visiting the complex on his motorbike. Clad in jeans and colourful shirts, he looked muscular and quite handsome. What intrigued Gmami was that Renuka of E block rushed out every time that young man came in a motorbike and was seen talking to him in a corner of the community hall.

Renuka and Sumitra were close friends, having grown up together in the complex. Mami, however, was careful not to mention this to her daughter, fearing her disapproval of her snooping. But Mami couldn’t hold the secret and confided in a few other ladies. They confirmed her suspicion: Renuka was secretly meeting the young man, without her parents’ knowledge. Mami considered telling Renuka’s mother but decided against it, as the woman had never been particularly warm toward her.

Whenever Gmami was leaving the complex, Sumitra would invariably excuse herself from accompanying her pleading she had some work or needed rest. One Saturday when Gmami was leaving, she saw Renuka in animated conversation with that young man pointing at her and giggling with him. She could take no more of these nasty goings on and decided to tell her mom about their secret meetings.

The next Monday she took her close friend from the opposite apartment with her and went to Renuka’s house. Luckily Renuka was not at home. Her mom welcomed them warmly and said “What a pleasant surprise your visit is. I know you as Sumitra’s mom but we have never mingled much.”

After the initial pleasantries, Gmami said, “In fact, I wished to come earlier but was somewhat hesitant. I was not sure how you would react to the information that I wished to convey to you.”

“Why would I react? You can tell me freely without hesitation. I am eager to hear you,” the lady said.

“Please don’t take me amiss. Renuka is like my own daughter, Sumitra. But I thought you should know that Renuka has been meeting a young man near the community hall every weekend. They seem very close, and I wasn’t sure if you were aware.”

“Frankly I am not aware. Let me check with Renuka. We are a liberal family and would not object to her choosing her boyfriend and eventually even her partner. Since she hasn’t mentioned it, let me find out,” the lady said calmly.

It was then Renuka entered the house unexpectedly. Gmami was taken aback and started to get up. The lady restrained her asking her, “Please be seated. Let us ask Renuka in your presence. We will know the facts”

After hearing the situation, Renuka turned to Gmami and said, “Mami, brace yourself. That young man? He’s not meeting me; he’s meeting Sumitra. They’ve been dating for over a year. Every weekend, he checks with me to see if you’ve left so he can visit her. He spends an hour or two with her. We came to know very recently he had lied about his qualifications and his lowly job. Sumitra didn’t tell you because she knew you’d disapprove.”

Gmami sat in stunned silence. Sumitra? Her daughter? The woman who knew everyone’s secrets had missed the most important one in her own home. For once, she had no gossip to share—only unpleasant news to suffer in silence.