Sleep? No, I never feel sleepy.

Chirpy, happy and talkative, Anju, was a bundle of energy. She would come, wash the utensils, take the dusting cloth, clean every nook and corner of the house, sweep and mop the floor and go home. Nishi, her employer was very happy with Anju. Being a working lady, Nishi needed full time house help. However, in this city, full time househelp was expensive. Anju was a part time househelp but she came twice. Anju comes at Nishi’s apartment at sharp 6:00 a.m. She makes Nishi’s breakfast and lunch, washes the utensils, cleans the house, while Nishi gets ready for work. By 8:00 am, both Anju and Nishi leave. Again, at 7:00 p.m.after Nishi comes from office, Anju comes, makes Nishi’s dinner, cleans the kitchen and utensils and then goes home.
Nishi barely gets time to talk to Anju. Anju was so punctual that even on saturday and sunday she would have come at 6:00 am. However, those days being holidays, Nishi asks Anju to come by 9:00 a.m..
Today being Sunday, Nishi thought of talking to Anju just to while away time. Nishi asked, ‘So Anju, what time do you wake up in the morning?’ Anju, while washing the dishes replied, ‘I wake up at 3:00 am because I have to get water from the nearest water tap, which otherwise will have a long queue if I don’t go early.’ ‘Oh!’Exclaimed Nishi. So, what time do you sleep then?’, asked Nishi. Anju replied nonchalantly, ‘I sleep by 1:00 a.m.’ Nishi was surprised. ‘You sleep for just 2 hrs? Do you get some sleep during the day.’ Anju smiled and said, ‘ No. I never feel sleepy. I can’t sleep. I need sleeping pills to fall asleep. That’s why I prefer working.’ Nishi opened her mouth wide and said, ‘I envy you. Look at me. I feel sleepy all the time.’ Anju, while sweeping the floor said, ‘I want to sleep. But every time I close my eyes, I see my younger son’s face. I had lost him two years ago. He was just 7. So, I stopped sleeping after that.’ Saying that Anju went ahead to clean the master bedroom, while Nishi stared at her with wet eyes.