The contractor of my Kuteer: Mane

The damnedest thing is I do not know the first name of my contractor who did the civil work of the Kuteer. That is because he is that sort of guy, very distant and all. I call him Mane and he never calls me anything.. If he must call me, it is usually indicated by a grunt:) But he is my absolute rockstar because he has been there whenever I needed him. Plus his execution of what I wanted, right to the last clothes hangar and where it must go, has been perfect and detailed .. done with a dedication that is so terrific..

For the Kuteer's beautiful aquamarine shade I had showed him my chunky aquamarine neckpiece (the shopkeeper says it is aquamarine, I think it is good old stolid onyx, artifically coloured. But I love onyx just as much, and the shade was terrific, natural or unnatural:) . and sure enough Mane got the shade just so right. Everything else, in detailing, he got it just the way I wanted. Every time there is some nagging civil problem, I will call him up desperately (over the last few weeks since the Kuteer started). And he would usually mumble in the phone that he was very busy, which he is. But instead of landing the next day, as he reluctantly promises, he would actually land up the very same evening!! More than prompt, his little plastic bag in hand, ready to help. He is actually a very busy man.. he does big projects, interiors of houses and offices and farmhouses. That he should land up for one small little hall, when engaged with some major project, that itself...

This has been the sweetest part of setting up the center, his complete dedication and involvement and detailing and perfectionism. And equally, that he sees through the sort of tough look I project, instead sees a softie trying to be brave in an upside down world, and feels he must give me a helping hand. That I feel about him, for sure.. it is as if, he just sees through me and sees my soul and quite likes what he sees..

It feels very paternal, that sort of seeing and his sort of giving. ..