Now a neighbour came to invite her to a kumkum ceremony. The housewife asked
her neighbour hoping she atleast would remember her name. Giggling, the lady said,
'Somehow or other I haven't asked your name nor have you told me. Right -hand side, white
storeyed - house or there she is, that pharmaceutical company manager's wife, if not that,
that fair and tall lady, that’s how we refer to you, that's all.' That's all that the other housewife
could say.
It’s no use. What can even my children's friends say — they know me only as Kamala's
mother or some aunty, now my respected husband — is the only hope — if anyone remembers
it, it is only he.
During the night meal, she asked him, 'Look here, I have forgotten my name — if
you remember it, will you please tell me?
'
The respected husband burst out laughing and said, 'What is it, dear, never has it
happened before, you are talking about your name today. Ever since we were married I have
got used to calling you only as yemoi. You too never told me not to address you that way
because you have a name of your own — what's happened now — Everyone calls you Mrs
Murthy, don't they?’
‘Not Mrs Murthy, I want my own name — what shall I do now?' she said in anguish.
'What's there, you choose a new name, some name or other,' the husband advised.
‘Very nice — your name is Satyanarayana Murthy; will you keep quiet if I ask you to
change your name to Siva Rao or Sundara Rao? I want my name only,' she said.
'It's all right, you are an educated woman — your name must be on the certificates —
don't you have that much common sense — go and find out,' he advised her .
The housewife searched frantically for her certificates in the almirah — pattu saris,
chiffon saris, handloom saris, voile saris, matching blouses, petticoats, bangles, beads, pearls,
pins, kumkum barinas, silver plates, silver containers to keep sandalwood paste, ornaments
all things arranged in an orderly fashion. Nowhere could she find her certificates. Yes —
after marriage she had never bothered to carry those certificates here.
'Yes — I haven't brought them here — I shall go to my place, search for my certificates
and enquire about my name, and return in a couple of days.' She asked for her husband's
permission. 'Very nice! Must you go just for your name or what? If you go, who will scrub
the house these two days?' said her lord. Yes, that was true — because she scrubbed better
than the others. She had not allowed anyone else to do that job all these days. Everyone was
busy with their own respective duties. He had his office — poor things, the children had