Slice of Life: Jasmine saved my life

Jasmine flowers are the pivot of my life. I began to string flowers when just eight. My parents had a small make-shift flower shop off Lloyd’s Road. My mother used to make long strings of flowers and I used to distribute them in nearby houses. This is how my life beyond the four walls of my house began. I took some burden off her when I learnt to string flowers. My father made garlands for functions and at times he used to take up orders for marriages too. Those days’ life was much simpler. We just had to visit several houses in the evening and the entire produce was sold out by 7.30 pm. 

Life changed for me the minute I married Ramesh. He used to drink heavily and he lost his life to alcohol in a few years. I was just 23, and a mother of three girls. Too young to take up any other work, I became a full-time flower vendor. I used to leave for the flower market as soon as my two older girls left for school. I used to string bunches of jasmine and leave for the beach once I had taken care of my children in the evening. By 4.30 pm I used to roam the sands with a basket of jasmine until 8.30 pm or even 9 pm. Life used to be very tough from October to January when the north-east monsoon was active. As I never liked to be a domestic help, I made sure I saved for these three months every year. The Almighty has been merciful and he has helped me to educate my girls. Though I could not educate my elder daughter beyond Class 12, the other two are studying well. My second daughter completed B.Com last year and has taken up employment in a private company with a decent salary. My second daughter is studying BA History in Queen Mary’s College. Both of them help me in my business. 

I have regular customers on the beach. Family members of AVM productions never fail to buy a string from me when they come for their regular walk. I take regular orders for closely strung jasmine, loose flowers for puja, Bengaluru roses from many customers. I am a known flower seller near Gandhi statue. The beach is my world. It is here my life blossomed and I will remain till I put down my basket.