"She" entered my chamber in the hospital accompanied by two disciples. 
What a majestic presence! 
Even when she is @90 years old. 
The younger ones talked to her with reverence. 
From the appearance and voice of the accompanying "ladies"I instantly knew them to be of third gender. 
And the one sitting on the patient seat is the grand guru, the head eunuch. 

Now one would think of many negative things, maybe filled with apprehensions too and of course some curiosity  about this community and their profession. 

I remember when we were children we were told to lock the doors and stay inside whenever eunuchs came to "shower their blessings" on the birth of a son or a son's marriage. They would come in a group of 8-9 people(sometimes less in number). They were accompanied by musicians who seemed to be normal males playing harmonium and dholak (a kind of drum). 
The dancers were dressed as females with flashy make up.... Bright lipsticks, powder, rougue, bindis, ear rings, arms full of colorful bangles and tinkling anklets on the feet. 
They spoke loudly in male voices, clapped hard in their typical style with every dialogue.  They danced and sang well. It was so amusing to peep at them from the windows since the doors were bolted from inside. Especially if they came  to your house. If they were at someone else's house then it would be okay to watch from a distance. The whole performance was so amusing and interesting too.... except for the part when they bargained hard for the money. They wouldn't leave till they got what they asked for. Sometimes their wishes were granted, sometimes some bargaining went on and on.... 
Nobody wanted to make the eunuchs angry. Their blessings are considered auspicious. They said that if they become too unhappy, then to insult the host they remove their clothes and this is a bad omen. So they are coaxed to accept what ever is offered to them in pleasure. 
One is always curious to know about their lives and many people become judgmental in their views of the eunuchs. 

But the graceful old lady sitting before me was a like any normal old woman. Despite her age, she didn't look much old. One was filled with respect towards her. On her first meeting, she didn't utter a word. She kept on assessing me quietly while I examined her. She was hardly what one would call friendly. 
But on her second visit she entered my chamber smiling and was friendly and told me she was better. So with each visit she was more and more friendly. We developed a kind of bond and I asked a bit about her life during younger days. She said she didn't know who her parents were. She was very young when she was given to eunuch guru and she worked (danced at people's houses for celebrations) in 1930s when people would pay her one or two rupees. 
Now she was the head of her clan and had built a temple and spent her time mostly in prayers and helping others and donating in society. She even adopted the orphans too. I was so moved by this epitome of humanity and kindness. How people have misgivings about some one they don't know or have never met. 
I expressed my desire to click her picture. I was told she never wants to be photographed. She seemed reluctant to get clicked but agreed because she loved me. 
I told her I will never share it with anyone. 
We kept on meeting for few more months. Then she didn't come anymore. 
It has been a year now that I saw her last. 
Where ever she is, I remember and pray for Bibi... That is what she was called by everyone.