Lady Macbeth is not her name. I gave her that name when I saw her washing her hand repeatedly. She is one of those women we see roaming aimlessly, wearing tattered clothes, talking to self all over India. They are known as the “pagli”. No one cares for them; no one cares where they come from or where they would go. Most of us are scared of these mad people. We change our path whenever we see them.
Lady Macbeth comes to my mother-in-law’s house almost every day. My MIL lives alone in a huge house. The gate of that house is always kept open and anybody can enter the house anytime. One day this mad woman entered her house. Initially, MIL tried to chase her away but this woman was stubborn and stayed put. MIL was slightly scared that the woman may cause her physical harm so she didn’t bother her and allowed her to stay. The first day the woman stayed for some time and went away. My MIL felt relieved.
The next day the lady came back again and asked for food. MIL gave her puffed rice. The lady ate the puffed rice and left. The following day this lady came back and said that she would have lunch. MIL obliged and gave her lunch. Soon it became a ritual. Every day morning the woman came and almost ordered my MIL something. For example one day she came and said: “Grandma, Cook fish for me, today I want to have fish.” My Mil is a widow and she doesn’t make fish but that day my MIL went to the market, bought fish and then cooked it for the lady. Unfortunately, the woman didn’t turn up for her fish lunch. My MIL distributed the food to neighbors.
Lady Macbeth became a regular visitor to my MIL’s house. However, all of us were unaware of this. One summer vacation when I visited my MIL’s house, I was sitting in the warm sun for some vitamin D, when I saw a mad woman in torn clothes, disheveled hair and a big bamboo stick in her hand entering our house. I got scared and sprang to my feet and went towards her with the intention to shoo her away. But the woman entered the home with a kind of familiarity that only a regular visitor can have. The lady almost chased me back. My MIL came running from the kitchen and stood protectively guarding the women. She then said that this mad woman is a regular and harmless.
I and my sister-in-law stood there gaping. The madwoman went towards the water tap in the garden and started washing her hands and talking to herself and also saying loudly to my MIL ‘Didima aj macher jhol khabo” (grandma, I want to have fish curry today). My MIL nodded affectionately, almost indulgently and went inside the kitchen to serve rice and fish. My sister-in-law worriedly came to me and asked in a hushed tone “Don’t you think this is risky? Ma lives alone and she is indulging this mad woman, what if one day this woman cause some harm, we can never rely on the antics of a crazy woman.” I agreed as it was indeed bit risky, I also felt what if she is not at all a mad woman and just pretending to gather information about MIL. These days we hear so many crimes against senior citizens living alone. What if she passes on the information to some gang of miscreants? My SIL started arguing with my MIL that it is unsafe for her to indulge this mad woman. But my poor MIL affectionately kept defending the woman.
Lady Macbeth understood that the whole argument was on her and she somehow figured out that I and my SIL were against her. She suddenly came towards me and made a face and said almost sarcastically “Shatabdi Roy eseche”( Shatabdi Roy is a famous Bengali actress and eseche means has come) and with a staunch shake went towards my MIL and nonchalantly sat down for her lunch. I was confused as it was a compliment or threat.
We have tried a lot to reason with MIL but she is adamant and till date, Lady Macbeth comes to her house regularly for lunch or breakfast. My Mil also regularly gives her clothes and blankets. We informed the local Police to search for the family of Lady Macbeth but it seems her husband has remarried and is not willing to take her back.
Trina Looks Back 
Was she really actress.. I could not get the story there. But pathetic.. We often be judgemental in assessing a person. I too had his kind of experience as a child. But my mom said the person who visited our street was harmless. L is for Love in the Air. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/l-love-is-in-the-air-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
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There are so many layers to this story Balaka. Your MIL’s good nature, our inherent distrust of a mental ill person, the pathetic life of Lady Macbeth,…….
Heart touching story!
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I am so impressed with the characters you are showcasing each day Balaka- this one is amazing one too! I could empathise with your concern for your MIL but her generous heart opened up for this poor woman – that is so incredible and inspirational! I think Lady Macbeth has come as a protector for your MIL.
Wonder if she is someone famous who is now in ruins due to misfortune? One hears so many tales of such things happening.
L is for Laini Taylor #atozchallenge
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Wow, your MIL has such a big heart. A truly magnanimous lady indeed.
Yes, we have seen our share of “paglis” and it’s so unfortunate people mistreat them. Who knows the pain they grapple with day to day.
Erekta daroon golpo. 🙂
Vidya I love the cover photo of this post. So very aesthetically designed and all the remedies are fab. I have used a few, and continue to do so. Thanks for the reminder.
Natasha
natashamusing
April Anecdotes
Love Conquers All
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I’d get worried too . And it is very brave of your MIL to indulge Lady Macbeth. BTW Ioved Lady Macbeth. She was evil personified
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Another fascinating character profile from you, I am extremely impressed with the gems you are pulling out from your memories.
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Thanks a ton Anurag…i am really happy to see that you are impressed with my memoirs. It means a lot.
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Its tricky- not really sure if she is what she seems to be. Your MIL is really soft but you need to take some precautions
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Yes, my SIL is strictly against this lady visiting our home but I have now kind of aligned with my MiL and feel pity.
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Such an interesting character, Balaka! The lady thought herself as Shatabdi Roy and felt she world owed her. Also, it was very nice of your MIL to treat her so kindly, anyone else in her place would have shooed her away at the first sight. I want to know more about her – does the lady still visit your MIL’s house??
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Yes, she still visits.
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Some lives are like books half torn with first few pages missing. They remain puzzle all throughout their lives.
I hope your MIL is not fooled by the deception.
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Lady Macbeth. I like the name you gave to this character. She seemed to be a harmless person and guess that’s what your MIL sensed too. But yes, your concern for her safety is justified.
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Wish we all were like your MIL and opened our homes and hearts to those who have never got love. 🙂
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Such a sad tale. May all Lady Macbeth’s find a welcome home along their journey, and may we all take away a lesson in true love for our fellowman from this tale. Great write!
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It’s as if I was reading about my MIL. We are always worried about her because she is ready to feed anyone who comes to the house. Ah, I should make my husband read this one 🙂
Kohl Eyed Me
Something’s Cooking
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That would be my pleasure if your husband read this. My MIL is an extremely kind hearted woman whose kitchen is always ready to serve food to whoever comes over. She loves to cook and feed others but at times it becomes worrisome. Mainly because she lives alone.
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You really cant trust strangers but its equally hard to make our parents understand these things at this age. Another interesting character.
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Aww…this is the sad reality of a countless women, who have been thrown out of their homes and have nowhere to go. Shocked and stunned by the attitude of their family and the society, they lose their sanity and then roam about, aimlessly. Maybe in wait of their end!
It sure can feel scary, but your MIL is not only brave, but also large hearted to help Lady Macbeth. God bless her!
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Your mother in law is a very rare and kind soul to be doing this for a homeless and mentally disturbed woman, whom most people would have turned away. I do understand that in the world we live in, one feels more concern than trust. But she does seem harmless. There are countless such Lady Macbeths out there, abandoned by their families and with nobody to turn to. You sketched this one out beautifully.
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Thanks for the reblog
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