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After he had finished Business studies in Sydney, Samir held a grudge
against his father Mr. Hari Acharya, for dragging him back to Nepal, by
sending him a return ticket instead of money; the prime reason behind which
was his marriage. gGet married to a cultured Nepali girl first, then you
can go back and do whatever you please.h his mother, Mrs Parvati Acharya
had declared to his protests, while Mr. Acharya had turned a deaf ear to
them. All that was however a year back. Currently things have turned quite
the opposite.
These days, Samirfs parents have started to pester him to go back to
Sydney, while he keeps nodding it aside. He had already met fourteen
different eligible girls. Samir had visited each of these girlfs houses,
enjoying the tasty treats prepared by them, personally. They were all very
pretty, of good cultural background and most importantly of the suitable
caste. Two of these girls were even modern, which was the limit his parents
were willing to cross, to ensure he does not marry outside the caste. But he
rejected them all.
gDonft worry Mua, it will happen if itfs meant to be.h Hefd console his
mother, whenever she complained.
Samir was in love. Radhika was his motherfs pedicurist, or enainif as
they call them in Nepal. In her late thirties she had an easy going way with
people, and appeared to be flirting with most men. He felt drawn to her the
first time he saw her. It had been just few weeks since he landed from
Sydney, 8:00 am in the morning, when the gate clanked loudly, followed by
the incessant barking of their Alsatian. He had thrown his pillow irritably,
and rushed to the window, to shout at whoever it was that dared to disturb
him, and there she was! wearing a blue tight jeans, with a red figure
hugging shirt, clutching a blue bag. She had looked up at him, and smiled
brightly showing off her pearly whites.
gJust woken up Samir babu? How can you be so lazy on a day like this?h
Shefd teased him flirtatiously as if shefd known him for years; his mother
mustfve told her about his visit. Although she addressed him formally by
attaching eBabu,f her tone had a certain casualness. Humming and swaying
her hips to the rhythm, she had then entered the house. With flawless olive
complexion and perfect curves, she reminded him of the statues of those
erotic goddesses in Kama sutra poses. Radhika occupied his thoughts most of
the time after that day. Whenever he realized her presence in the house,
hefd be buzzing nearby, and entered his motherfs room with frivolous
excuses. Radhika would be seated on the floor, messaging one of his
motherfs foot on her lap, who would be seated comfortably on an easy chair,
and made things easy for him by saying drowsily; gCome son, sit beside me.
Talk to me.h as a rule.
Samir would watch mesmerized the sensuous movements of her hands, nodding
absently to his motherfs words. She would squeeze a soaked towel, and wipe
the foot after the message, then clean it, scrubbing, and cutting away
untidy bits, filing, applying nail polish and finally applying Alta, a red
liquid around her foot. Shefd repeat the same process with the other foot,
in an unhurried delicate motion as if she was enjoying every moment.
gRadhika didih Hefd address her as edidif giving her the respect of an
elder sister. gDonft you get tiered of a life like this? Going door to
door, cleaning and beautifying womenes feet?h He had asked her.
Shefd laugh and her high cheeks would rise and shine, and her eyes would
sparkle with mischief. Perhaps she sensed his attraction or perhaps she was
accustomed to such unduly attention from most men. gNo. Whatfs there to
feel tiered of! All I do is sit, do my work, and talk and talkc I get to
pour my heart out. I would not know what to do if I didnft have this
workcIfd surely go mad I think.h
gWhy did you choose to be a naini?h
Shefd laugh again. He normally found it irritating when girls laughed for
no reason, but Radhikafs laughter was like soothing music in his ears.
gMy grandmother did this, my mother did this, and therefore Ifm doing it!
Do you see this pedicure set? Itfs pure silver! I was told that the queen
herself presented this to my grandmothercwonft it rot if not put to
use?h
gWhofll get the set after you?h
gWhy? Raju of course!h
Hearing a male name had suddenly alarmed him gWhofs Rajuh
gHer eight year old son.h His mother joined in. gPoor Radhika has nobody
else. He is her only family after that drunkard husband of hers disappeared
without a trace!h She scoffed.
gBut, why would a boy be interested in doing what you do? What if he
chooses some other profession?h
gNo! Why would he do such a thing!h She exclaimed incredulously gThis
profession is in our blood!h
gWhy donft you open a beauty parlor? Wonet it be nice, if women came to
you instead of you going to their houses?.h His mother gave him a
disapproving look.
@gWhat would I know of such things Samir Babucg Radhika said blushing
slightly and embarrassedly looking at Mrs. Acharya. gthat kind of ambitions
are only for educated people, Iem happy the way things are.h And then she
laughed some more.
This continued every Fridays when she visited. Samir would be sprawled
lazily on his parentfs bed, shooting one question after the other, just to
keep listening to her voice, not particularly caring for the answers. During
the course, his gaze would occasionally wonder to her cleavage, and get
fixated there. Hefd quickly look away when his mother caught him staring or
when Radhika looked up.
gDonft just rush off yeth his mother would order her, after each sitting,
handing her a hundred rupees note. gIfll send teah and scurry off.
Samirfs mother had a big house to run, with six servants, that needed
constant surveillance. Other times, she got chauffeured off to her friends,
to the latest restaurants and beauty parlors, wearing bright colored chiffon
saris, flaunting her diamonds and emeralds. During her absence his aunt,
took over the house-hold duties. She was a much demure and a simpler
character whose guidance servants preferred to his motheres.
Compared with his motherfs vibrant and colorful personality, his fatherfs
was a dull and subdued one. He was a thin ill looking figure looming around
the house, whose presence people seemed to forget most times. Her mother
often recalled an incident, when her sister had visited once, and she had
endlessly gossiped with her, about her husbandfs lack of interest in her
activities, not realizing that he was right beside her, cutting vegetables.
In his mid sixties he was balding and what remained of his hair were
graying. Samir felt that his mother might be neglecting him, but did not
feel it his place to confront her; he felt like an outsider having spent
seven years in Australia.
Mr. Acharya woke up early in the morning at 6:00 am and practice yoga. He
would then stroll out, returning around 10 am carrying a bag-full of
vegetables. After lunch, hefd disappear again and be seen only around
dinner time. Nobody had a clue where he went or what he did. None of
Samirfs family members had any professional occupation as such, being the
landlords for generations, their ancestors thought it beneath themselves to
work for money. Although his fatherfs generation values had been greatly
modified, the core influence of caste system stayed deeply rooted in their
minds.
His questions to Radhika were becoming a little more personal with time, and
asked when they were alone. Last Friday, for example, his mother had rushed
off to a shareholder meeting. When she arrived, Samir had been surprised
that she did not seem upset atall of his motherfs unprofessional behavior.
gI should go then?h She asked for permission, getting ready to leave.
gSince youfve come all this way, why donft you do my nails today?h He
had suggested.
She stared at him, ready to laugh, probably assuming that he meant it as a
joke.
h Why? Donft you do menfs nails? They need looking after too you know, in
fact more soh He said seriously.
gI donft really care men, women, animalscas long as theyfve got nailsh
She said and proceeded to his motherfs room.
gLetfs go to my roomh Hefd told her, and when shefd looked at him
uncertainly, gThat room is lockedh he lied.
gIn that case, I can do it right hereh she said, sitting down in the
hallway, and began preparing her tools. gJust drag a chairh she instructed
concentrating on a small knife she had begun to sharpen.
When she touched his feet, he was aroused. He quickly stood up. gIt
ticklescIfm not used to people touching my feet.h He said and sat down on
the floor close to her. gDo my handh He said extending his right hand to
her.
She took his hand and began cleaning it, chattering away about someonefs
dog shefd groomed once.
gDid you use the same tool?h was Samirfs only concern, to which she shook
her head vigorously gNo! No! they gave me a special dog nail clipper!h She
reassured him. gEven if I did, you wouldnft have to worry, their dogfs
nail was cleaner than some human nails Ifve cleaned with these toolsh she
teased him, and continued updating him on different degrees of cleanliness
maintained by her different rich clients.
Samir had not heard or understood what she had been saying. gRadhika, why
didnft you get married again?h Heed stopped calling her edidif lately;
Samir thought it improper addressing his future wife as elder sister.
The gay atmosphere that was normally created by her laughter at his every
question, was missing, gI donft want unnecessary hassle anymore. Samir
babuh she said frowning but not taking her eyes off his hand. gIfm happy
with my solitary lifec Wouldnet dream about changing it.h
gWhy? Whofll look after you when youfre old?h
gWho else? My son of course!h
Samir shook his head. gThey donft anymorecdonft you know that? Hefll
get married to a mean bitch and then hefll kick you out. Then what you will
do?h
Her face lighted up and a long overdue laughter erupted. She could not speak
until she sobered down. gNot my Raju, Samir Babu, he loves me very much. He
will never do such a thingcI know this.h
His uncle, who mightfve been passing by, and who mightfve heard Radhika
laugh, peeped inside the room frowning. gSamir, donft you have anything
better to do?h It was after that incident that his parents have started to
nag him to go back to Sydney - first his mother, and these days, even his
father, whofd send for him just this morning in his studies.
gItfs not goodcwhatfs happening son.h As far as Samir could remember,
this was the first time hefd heard him speak so may words at the same
time.
gWhatfs happening bua?h Samir had innocently enquired.
gYoufre wasting your time herecI made a big mistake by listening to your
mother. Go back now. Youfve loitered around enough.h
gBua Ifm not loitering aroundcIfm looking for a decent job.h
gYou wonft find a decent job like this!h his father argued raising his
voice gGo to the embassy and start the visa procedure. If you donft by
this evening, I will do it for you.h There was a clear warning in his stern
expression.
gOk. Bua, just give me one month, if I donft find a job by then, I promise
Ifll go back.h
Mr. Acharya looked at his son unconvinced.
gI said, I promise Bua.h
Samir had somehow managed to buy some time this morning, but he realized
that he did not have much time left. Hefs got to talk to Radhika, and
anxiously waited for the Friday, which was still two days away. Meanwhile he
applied for some jobs from the newspaper advertisements, and surfed for some
courses he could keep himself occupied with.
On Friday morning, Samirfs eyes opened to the sound of the gate opening. He
rushed to the window, anticipating the pleasantries they shared every Friday
mornings. Radhika however, rushed inside looking preoccupied. He waited.
Little over an hour later, when the gate opened again, Samir darted after
her. He followed her to the other house she visited in the proximity, and
waited outside, promenading to and fro in a public park, looking frequently
at the door. Nearly an hour later, she emerged from the door. He approached
her nervously.
gWhat happened Samir Babu? Lost your way?h She asked him coolly.
gI need to talk to youcletfs go and have some teah He suggested.
gI canft. I have three more houses to visith she replied shortly and
rushed away. He followed her but could not keep up with her pace as she
stopped a bus, climbed in, and vanished.
Samir could not help a frustrated gF@@@!!!h A habit hefd picked up in
Australia. Once when it had slipped out accidentally, in his motherfs
presence, she had not spoken to him for days. He had since then avoided
using the forbidden word, until now.
He waited for another Friday impatiently, and also attended two job
interviews for the post of an accountant. When the precious Friday started
with a clank, he followed the same routine, but this time he hid behind a
tree, when she emerged from the second house, not wanting her to see him
just yet. She climbed into the bus, and he took a taxi instructing it to
follow the bus, stopped, and waited as the passengers climbed off and on at
every stop, and paid it off only when she got off. The dreary day proceeded
like this for couple more hours as she made two more visits, and finally led
him to what he guessed was her apartment, in a crowded area in Patan.
He knocked after she shut the door. She had a panicky expression when
Radhika saw him at her doorstep.
gSamir Babu, what are you doing here?h
He went inside pushing her gently to the side. gRadhika, I absolutely must
talk to you now.h
gBut this is not the right time! You must leave at once!h
Samir ignored her plea and surveyed her apartment. It was a two-roomed,
rather small but a tidy apartment. He looked back at her determinately
without budging.
gPlease go! I have some guests comingcwefll do this some other time!h
there was an urgency in her speech, which only intrigued him. Then there was
a soft knock on the door. Radhika dragged him to the other room, and
whispered.
gYoufve got to hideh she said.
gBut why?h
gNo time to explaincplease hide behind this door and please Samir Babu,
donft come out unless I ask you to.h She instructed him. The knock was
getting a little impatient. She looked at him desperately.
gIfll hideh he promised her and went behind the door. She has a lover! of
course she hascwho else would knock at her door like that! Samir thought
with a tightening in his heart. A familiar voice, that was demanding Radhika
an explanation on what took her so long, was unmistakable!
He could not believe his ears, so he peeped from the small opening. It was
his mother indeed!
After two weeksc
Samir got up at 5:00 am in the morning, not being able to sleep all night,
and was packing his bag. He hadnft been able to shake off what he saw.
After taking a peek, he had tried to plug his ears with his fingers, and
shut his eyes tightly, as if this would stop his mind from imagining what
was happening. But the loud giggles and moans coming from the other room,
made it impossible. After his mother left Radhikafs apartment, he had
slowly walked out from the hiding.
gSo, Samir Babu, what was the urgent matter, that you absolutely must
discuss?h She asked him slowly and provocatively buttoning up her shirt,
mockery apparent in her voice. She looked up at him half way from the
buttoning, and stopped. gI have plenty of time nowcwhy donft you come
here?h she said suggestively.
He stomped out banging the door as hard as his strength allowed him.
Samir hadnft spoken to his mother, ever since. She on the other hand, had
been trying to break through his impenetrable silence. She finally came to
him all panicky with his father.
gIs everything ok son? Your mother has been telling me that youfve been
avoiding her?h
gIfve decided to go back. You were right Bua, there is nothing for me over
here.h And theyfd left him alone, probably assuming that his unsuccessful
job hunt, was causing the weird behavior.
His reporting time was at 10:00 am, but he was going to leave before eight -
before the gate clanks, and her motherfs lover entersc The rage is still
fresh, and he will never forgive his mother for betraying his father. He had
therefore written a letter, which he will hand out to his father at the
airport, before catching the flight back to Sydney. He looked down at the
white envelope in his hand, then he had a slight change of plan. Holding the
envelop, he went outside, quietly climbed the stairs, and walked towardsf
his parents room. He slowly turned the door knob and tiptoed inside. Mr and
Mrs Acharya were fast asleep in each otherfs embrace. Samir stared at the
devoted couple, unable to believe his eyes, and tip toed back outside, still
holding the envelop. Samir went back to his room. There he tore the letter
to tiny pieces and threw it in the bin, and went back to sleep. Therefs
still a long time to my flight. He thought.
All rights belong to its author. It was published on e-Stories.org by demand of Sharmily Kadambari.
Published on e-Stories.org on 08.09.2011.
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