Lockdown compromise

Where to begin?

My name is Arjun and I was living a happy Bachelor life in Pune in a 2bhk although I didn't really have anybody for the second bedroom. Staying on rent in a bachelor pad was great and I had lots of freedom. Other than my job I didn't have to look after anything as my Maid Priyanka would ensure my house was well taken care of. Due to my difficult job timings, Priyanka ensured the meals were cooked, the house cleaned and clothes laundered. She was only a year older to me and I would sometimes chat with her after coming home from work. Both of us were new to Pune so we had a lot of common problems and we usually had conversation on these about how different Pune was from our hometown. (Priyanka was a fairly streetsmart person and she was tall as well standing at 5'8 (the same height as i was)

I grew very dependent on her as my lack of household skills meant that she was an very important part of my life.

However, neither of us realized how our lives would change in less than a year.

It all began with the strict COVID lockdown which meant both of us were stuck in Pune. I made the grave mistake of sending my clothes seperately via courier to my hometown. Now I was stuck in my flat with barely a few clothing items. Priyanka also faced issues as her landlord asked her to move out from her rented flat as well during. This was too much for her as she didn't have any relatives or friends in the city and she broke down while doing chores.

Arjun: What's wrong Priyanka? Why are you upset?

Priyanka: Bhaiya, I have been asked to vacate my flat. I don't know what to do especially in this lockdown time. Nobody is willing to let out their flat and the few ones that I can find are out of my budget.

Arjun: (after consideration) hmm... Priyanka why don't u stay in the guest room for now. I have anyway taken all of my belongings out and couriered it back home, so the room is empty. Since I will also be going home for the duration of the lockdown, why don't you use this house as lodgings. I think it's a good idea since I have to pay rent anyway.

I saw Priyanka's eyes light up with gratitude.

Priyanka: thank you Bhaiya for everything. I don't know what i would have done otherwise.

And thus Priyanka started staying in the guest bedroom with me while I also paid for her to be a full time maid.

The big issue happened while I was about to leave for my hometown. I had already sent my luggage separately as I had exceeded my weight limit. Then suddenly on the day of my flight, the lockdown restrictions were further tightened and I was stuck in Pune. Without any clothes of my own other than the ones I wore currently.

If course I tried to manage in my own but having just one set of clothes was not ideal and Priyanka soon noticed it.

Priyanka: Bhaiya, please put your clothes for washing. You havnt washed them for almost 3 days now.

Arjun: yaar priyanka, the problem is that i don't have anything else to wear

Priyanka: Priyanka then took a stern tone and replied - Bhaiya you need to wash them otherwise they will smell. Till then you wear something else.

Arjun: I don't have anything else to wear. I'll just have to power through the lockdown.

Priyanka: arey bhaiya (she insisted on calling me Bhaiya even though she was a year older) don't worry, I have a few extra clothes like pajamas and t shirts. They will fit you also because you are of the same height and have a slim figure.

Before giving me a chance to interrupt she ran into the guest room and brought what looked like a pair of jeans and a patterned blue top.

Priyanka: see bhaiya, I'm sure these will fit you.

I was shocked and dumbfounded that my own maid would just ask me to wear her clothes

Arjun: Priyanka these are ladies clothes. I can't wear these.

As soon as she heard this, Priyanka's usually cheerful face scrunches up in thought and worry.
Priyanka: arey Bhaiya, it's okay to wear these as they are just pajamas. Anyway nobody would know as it's just us in the house till the lockdown clears.

I was not keen at all on this solution but Priyanka was insistent on helping me out.

Priyanka: don't worry,these are just normal pants. Ever since i came here, you have helped my in everything . Atleast this way I feel I can be of some useto you. And don't worry i won't speak of this to anyone else.

Reluctantly I agreed as the alternative was to have no clothes at all.

Priyanka was from a small village and I had only ever seen her in Indian clothes. But luckily for me she did have a few tops and jeans stashed away in her luggage .

If only I knew that this was just the beginning.