Fever

Fever

When my brother, his wife

and their daughter,

until now of robust health,

took turns to fall ill with fever,

each for several weeks,

the new maid servant-

young, with yards of coal-black hair,

oiled, coiled and knotted in a bun,

said firmly,

“It is due to change in the water.”

The earlier maid servant

visiting from afar

out of loyalty gathered over the years-

her hair, thinning and grey,

head filled with wisdom,

said,

“It is due to change in the water.

The Delhi waters are healthy.”

My sister,

Government doctor,

in her usual manner,

pursed her lips

and said,

“It is a genetic disposition!”

When I,

with my new found knowledge asked,

“How can a married couple share genes?”,

She stiffened her lips further

and only glared in reply.

And I,

many years younger

wilted in silence.

Only recently,

my mother- in the evening of her life,

Less discrete, than in years past,

said reflectively,

“Your brother and his wife are

cousins- three branches removed

in the family tree.