My name is Allwyn Prestcold.I am milky
white in colour, and my name is boldly emblazoned across my chest. I was bought
by a newlywed couple almost 60 years ago.
A year into their marriage, the couple became the proud
parents of a baby girl whom they named Marietta.
I was always filled with goodies and food. The couple took
good care of me. My door was never left open for long, and it was never, never
banged shut. They treated me with the utmost care and gentleness. I defrosted
and cleaned regularly. Marietta was, of course, forbidden from opening me. I
lived in Mumbai for about 2 years, and then Marietta's father was transferred
to Jamshedpur. They took me along. I, of course, was transported by truck
together with their other belongings, but praise the Lord, I arrived in one
piece.
I spent 22 unbearably long summers in Jamshedpur, cooling
food and drink and preventing it from spoiling. Fridge water and ice were a
staple during the summer. Marietta's mother, Marie, was an excellent cook, and
her father Albert was a foodie, so Marie cooked plenty. I remember her treating
Marietta to plenty of homemade ice cream in the summer. I was also kind of
working overtime in the summer.
Then, in 1970, a son whom Albert and Marie named David was
born. I continued to work, doing my best. There were times when I felt unwell,
and I was immediately referred to a doctor who usually cured my ailment.
After 22 years in Jamshedpur, my owners moved back to Mumbai. Once again, I moved with them and continued to serve the family.
Sadly, about 2 years after the move, Albert passed away. Marie and the children vacated the apartment and moved to Pune. This was my third journey, and I arrived safe and sound in Pune. Again, I rendered good service and was well looked after.
Marie was beginning to age, and it was decided that she move closer to David, who was by now married. Marietta was also married and living back in Mumbai.
So we moved to Kondhwa in Pune, and it was there that I, too, began to show signs of aging. I couldn't serve Marie very well, as I fell sick often. It wasn't fair to her. She needed someone younger, and so one day, with a heavy heart, she traded me in for someone younger and more reliable.
She is no longer on earth, and I'm in some faraway godown waiting to be taken to a recycling facility.
