Authors: Joya Victoria
Derek was extremely upset and had tried very hard to entice her to come back, even promising to marry her immediately. But all had failed. There was a very public argument and apparently Hannah had hurled some awful insults at him. Their private life was made public,
and after that when she had apologized, Derek would have none of it. According to Hannah, Derek was a very vile and egotistic man. What had caused the breakup Aunt Dolly was not quite sure, but all sorts of rumors were flying around.
There was even talk about a liaison with a coolie woman, but who could tell? That was supposedly why the so-called engagement was called off. But nobody had set eyes on the Santal woman. Her identity was a complete mystery. Hannah was absolutely mum on the subject and would not divulge anything.
So Miranda was his rebound. The bastard! Something was not quite right come to think of it, he had been two-timing her! When she met Derek in London he was still seeing Hannah—or was still hoping Hannah would concede to come back to him. That was why he was so silent on his return to India.
Why had Derek stopped seeing Hannah? Obviously they had an affair. Why was she so upset? What was the real story? James, James would tell her. She would have to find out from James, and that would not be difficult at all.
Or maybe it would be difficult. However, she would have a go. Try she must. She was a nurse; maybe she could go and offer her services at the local clinic where James was a doctor. Of course James would be pleased; her knowledge and training would be an asset to the local clinic. They were short-handed anyway. Her mind was made up.
She would have to broach the subject with her aunt and uncle the next day regarding helping James and maybe drive over there.
After a bumpy ride they arrived home, all quite tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow was another day, and Miranda was definitely looking forward to it! The enchanting and intriguing East…She was fast asleep in no time; she didn’t even have the energy to switch off the bedside lamp. Her big four-poster bed was soft and inviting. She sunk deep into the bed, clutching one of the numerous pillows.
5
THE LOCAL HOSPITAL
was very busy. Miranda made her way to the main part of the whitewashed single-story hospital where James was waiting for her.
It had not been a problem speaking to Tom and Dolly regarding her plans. And surprisingly Tom was very eager that she should go and make herself known at the hospital immediately. After all, James was a friend of his, and a telephone call would suffice. So it was decided that she would be joining James within the next few days.
It was a steamy, hot day, but the actual hospital area was cool as it was surrounded by very tall banyan trees that provided some shade around the hospital. Assam was full of tall trees and greenery. This kept the immediate vicinity moderately cool and breezy. The local villagers all sat under the trees in the shade and gossiped and smoked. There was even a small tea stall where the vendors also sold cigarettes and betel nut. The people all looked fairly content and happy as they waited their turn for the doctor. Every now and then a man in khaki shorts and shirt came out and called them by name.
Miranda had been dropped off by her Aunt Dolly; they were meeting for lunch at the club after Miranda’s first morning at work! James was very eager to show Miranda around and was quite happy that she had decided to give him a hand.
The clubhouse was cool when Miranda arrived there after her very hectic morning. She found the people to be so thankful for their treatment at the little hospital. They were easygoing and amiable, eager and seemingly happy. It occurred to Miranda that it did not matter how much pain or discomfort they were in, they never showed it. They suffered in silence. How different it was from what she was used to.
“Have you heard from Derek?” Dolly asked Miranda over lunch. Miranda shook her head. “The last time I spoke to him was at the club last week,” she mumbled in between mouthfuls.
Dolly knew that news of Miranda’s joining the clinic to help James would spread like wildfire among the planters, and Derek would be the first one to know, James being one of his very good friends.
Miranda was working in the back room of the clinic one morning a few days later when she pricked up her ears at the sound of a very familiar voice coming from one of the rooms.
“Derek!” she said to herself. “He has come in search of James and of course he knows that I am working here!” She smiled to herself.
She of course had not had a chance to speak to James as she had planned, and it was turning out to be more difficult than she had anticipated. But she was patient and willing to bide her time. Aunt and Uncle wanted her to stay with them for a few more months, and she was very willing to oblige.
It was soon lunchtime, and Miranda was getting ready to leave; one of the clinic nurses came over and asked Miranda to go over to James’s office. “Why?” she wondered as she followed the nurse. As soon as she entered the room her eyes fell on Derek.
“Oh! Miranda,” James said. “We were wondering if you would like to join us for lunch at the club?”
In the meantime Derek had stood up and was watching Miranda. “Hello, Miranda,” he greeted her in his deep voice. “So you are the new Florence Nightingale?” He had a bemused expression on his face.
She completely ignored his rather sarcastic remark and turned her attention to James.
Derek had already decided that she was joining them. He had come there that morning to see her, not to see James! He knew that after the other night at the club Miranda felt extremely humiliated, and he wanted to explain things. In short, he wanted to tell her his side of the story, over lunch if possible.
James, he knew, would leave them shortly after lunch as he had his afternoon clinic. And also James knew about his friend’s friendly feeling for this pretty girl.
Though James did not approve of Derek’s so called flings, maybe this time it was not a fling. It could be that Derek was really taken up with this girl. He hoped so. James wanted his friend to settle down.
Miranda was not even given a chance to say aye or nay. It was decided that she would have lunch with them!
James knew very well why Hannah and Derek had split. He and Derek went far, far back as friends. He would not let his friend down; they were pals and had to stick together.
Derek offered to drive her to the club with James to follow in his vehicle. The short journey to the club was spent in absolute silence. She was very aware of his presence beside her. James was following them in his car as he had to make a quick getaway. Derek reached out and tried to touch her hand, but she was quick and snatched her hand from his grasp. She was looking straight ahead in an unblinking stare.
Miranda felt Derek’s eyes upon her, but she was angry and felt utterly desolate maybe laced with a little touch of humiliation.
“You are angry with me, Mira?” he asked.
She looked so helpless sitting beside him that Derek had to control his urge to take her in his arms there and then. Miranda did not answer.
“Well?” he said. “Say something!”
“There is nothing to say,” she replied in a short voice. “You didn’t have to bring me along, Derek Chowdhury. My aunt is waiting for me for lunch at home.”
“I wanted to have lunch with you. I rang you at home, and Dolly informed me that you were working at the clinic. So here I am! I also told Dolly not to wait for you, as you were having lunch with me!”
The audacity of the man, without even asking her! Miranda had to control her anger. He was taking her for granted—again.
The weather was hot—everything was hot, and her head was hot!
They finally reached the club. The club felt so cool indoors. After driving in the hot midday sun they were all very thirsty and hot. The ceiling fans were in full swing. The rooms were kept dark intentionally to keep out the heat and sun. Miranda slipped her sandals off and proceeded to walk barefooted toward the bar, carrying her sandals in her hand.
They ordered drinks. Quite a number of the local planters were there drinking or nibbling on little tidbits that were served by the waiters, who silently moved around the room, picking up the empties and replenishing the others. Everyone greeted the trio as they made their entrance, but all eyes were on Miranda. She started to blush and was acutely self-conscious of their stares. Derek could see that she was feeling very uncomfortable and decided to go straight into the dining room.
Lunch was very jolly. Derek and James tried their best to lighten the atmosphere that was definitely fraught with high tension. James knew why, and he and Derek tried their utmost to draw Miranda into their conversation. She would have none of it! She spent the entire lunch giving monosyllabic answers: yes, no, and occasionally “very good.”
It was after lunch that the ice started to thaw. James left soon after, and Derek took her to the sitting room of the club and ordered coffee.
“You are angry with me, Mira,” he said, almost under his breath.
“What do you expect?” she asked, very vexed. “You ignored me the other evening,” she said, tears springing to her eyes.
Derek did not know what to do. “Don’t cry,” he said very tenderly, offering her his monogrammed silk handkerchief. “People are watching”
“Yes, that is your only worry who is watching.” She tried to rise from her chair.
“For heaven’s sake, sit down. Please. Don’t create a scene,” he said in a small voice. “I will explain everything.”
He so very much wanted to console her, but he was reluctant to make a public display of his feelings. Planters would talk and everybody would know, so for the moment it was best to lie low. He knew that Hannah was still in the gardens and that she would try her best to get in first. He had to prevent that from happening.
“You shouldn’t worry, Mira,” he continued. “I will explain everything,” he said, repeating himself. “In time.”
What was the matter with him?
“We’ll leave as soon as you have finished your coffee,” he said rather tersely.
Many of the other planters came over to say hello, and some even congratulated her for joining the clinic. Derek watched the young men with a bemused expression as they pretended to come and say hello to him when in fact Miranda was the sole attraction. And he also knew that James would be very busy in his clinic as of tomorrow!
The afternoon sun was still shining brightly when they left the club. Without saying a word he led her outside. He knew how she felt, but he felt helpless at this moment. He drove toward his bungalow.
“I want to go home,” she said.
“You will,” he replied absentmindedly. “In a short while.”
Both were engrossed in their own private thoughts. Whatever had made her get involved with this complicated and confused man? His mood swings were exasperating. But there was a big But—he was fast becoming an addiction! It was difficult to extricate herself from the clutches of this wild and difficult situation. Was it difficult, though? Was she in a macabre way enjoying it? After all, having led a very cloistered life, this was exciting. Did she really want to end it all? Or was she expecting something that was elusive and unattainable but hoping against hope to succeed?
“We have a few things to clarify,” he said.
She was jolted back to reality; gosh, she had been miles away!
His bungalow had this very cool and serene look, despite being bathed in the bright afternoon’s hot sun. And it was so quiet, siesta
time; the servants were having an afternoon nap after their lunch as was the usual practice.
Three servants appeared, materializing from nowhere, asking him if he wanted anything. Miranda was flabbergasted. So many people to look after one solitary person.
Radhu appeared too; he must have been lurking around somewhere, she figured. He salaamed her, bowing very low. The nanny, she remembered, and suddenly she had an uncontrollable fit of the giggles. She could not stop!
Ignoring her, Derek addressed the old man. “Radhu, chacha,” he said, beaming at the old man, “would you make a cool glass of sherbet for Miranda memsahib?”
Radhu salaamed her—again—and proceeded to ask Derek if he’d had lunch and did he want lunch. When Derek said no, Radhu was slightly disgruntled. Miranda did not understand what they were saying to each other as they were speaking in Hindi, but from the tone of Radhu’s voice she could detect that he was complaining and was not very happy. This went on for a little while. She could detect a slight pleading in Derek’s voice. Ultimately Radhu went off to make her sherbet, leaving the young people in peace, or so Miranda thought.
But Derek knew otherwise. He knew very well that the old goat was hovering around somewhere within earshot and keeping a surreptitious eye on the young couple.
Radhu was a very old retainer; he been with the family since before Derek was born. Nothing went on and nothing ever did get done without Radhu chacha’s knowledge. Derek’s parents depended on him heavily, and Radhu simply worshipped the ground Derek’s mother walked on. He never left her side when she was in India.
Radhu ran the place for all intents and purposes. He hired and fired other servants. He ruled the place with an iron hand and loved it.
Radhu was complaining that afternoon that Derek never ate at home and all his food went to waste. He had decided not to cook
anymore for Derek and threatened to complain to memsahib. Of course he did not do the cooking, the cooking was done by the khansamah, but he implied that he did all the cooking.
Derek waited until the sherbet arrived; this time it was brought by one of the other servants, as Radhu had decided to ignore the chota sahib for the time being. Derek smiled to himself. This was what he loved about coming back to the garden, how Radhu made such a fuss over him. He and his moods. Derek chuckled. In fact they all made such a fuss over him. He simply loved that, and he lapped it up! Often he and Radhu had long and lengthy conversations when Radhu coaxed him to marry and advised him to stop fooling around.
Sometimes Derek mentioned Rukmini, When that happened Radhu invariably changed the subject and clammed up. This always touched a raw nerve. Derek tried chastising Radhu once, only to be reminded of his misdemeanor and the anguish he had caused the family. After that Derek never dared to say anything. Mentioning Rukmini was Radhu’s way of cautioning him and trying to make him settle down and wind down.