London Calling

London, April 2019

Monty watched Pari going down the stairs for her train. He was feeling a bit awkward. He had acted impulsively, he shouldn't have. He and Pari had broken up, but neither of them had stopped to ruminate on it. Both had been busy trying to navigate unchartered territory. They had gone on with their lives, keeping the professional camaraderie. Today, when she had recoiled at his embrace, he realised that she was truly over him.

He felt a passing sorrow, the kind that you feel for something you owned and lost.

He stood at the head of the stairs and lighted a cigarette. Smoking fortified the process of looking back, smokers will vouch for it.

He had not came to London with the aim of making a career in porn. He had been a brilliant student, he always smiled at that part, rather boastfully, when it came up in his close circuit of friends. The post-doc scholarship had gave him a valid excuse to escape an Indian middle-class life with a homely wife.

He had found his status in genome research. He had been working on 'sexual sadism disorder,' when first out of research need, then out of curiosity and ultimately raw desire, he was pulled into a whole new world. To him, this world, appeared to be the ultimate juncture of business and pleasure.

It was a bizarre shift, he readily admitted. But he did not regret it. He loved sex and he loved money. Porn had both and more.

Ardapunia, March 2014

Their call went well; in fact it went so well that it was Mita who said, "Pari re tore tow dutow bhalo salwar lagbe," after coming home. Pari felt thrilled at the prospect of new clothes, and smiled at her.

They had gone to Ratan cha cha's house after lunch. Ratan seemed as nervous as Pari. "If the call goes well, it will be a good opening for you Pari. Amio bhalo commission pabo. They are a very decent family."

Pari liked this about Ratan. He was upfront that if she could secure the job, not only would it be a good chance for her, but it will also get Ratan a tidy amount of commission. "They have not come through the agency. It's my cousin in Kolkata who contacted me," Ratan explained.

Taufiq asked a lot of questions. Ashok Banerjee (he said that Pari can call him Ashok da), assured him and said that Pari will be like a family member. Seema di, Ashok da's wife, however, was a little apprehensive, when she got to know that Pari was just sixteen. "Can you look after a baby? You are too young. We mostly have only dinner at home. But the children would need breakfast and lunch. "Ato parbe tumi?" she asked.

Pari nodded her head, indicating that she will be able to manage the work. She was a little overwhelmed with all the talk, to be the focus of discussion. She assured Seema that she will be able to manage under her directions. "Appa apni amay dekhaye diben. Ami sikha nibo," she said shyly. Seema smiled kindly but continued looking uncertain.

Ashok da was concerned about other things. "She is too young to come so far. Are you (this addressed to both ammi and abbu) sure that she will not feel homesick? It will not be possible for me to send her back before a year, if she is missing home. It's too expensive. We go to India every two years. She will come with us then. Is that fine?"

"Yes dada. Don't worry. Pari knows this money will help her brother and sister to study," Taufiq said.

Pari felt a tinge of sorrow. Abbu never thought about her studies in this way. Then she brushed it away like swatting a fly. Of course she, as the eldest child, should be supporting her father.

They had muri (puffed rice) and tea at Ratan cha cha's place and left for home. Once home, ammi got busy in the kitchen and Pari went up to her room. Shona was playing with her dolls. As soon as she saw Pari, she got up and ran to her. "Appu," she said lovingly and held her tight.

Pari felt a tingling in her eyes. How will she live away from them. Kajol returned home, soon after, from his tuition and came up. "Ki bolla ora?" he asked, curious to know how the call went. "It went well Kajol. I liked Ashok da and Seema di," Pari said. "They don't have issues with religion, right?" Kajol asked, concern in his voice.

Kajol had his reasons for asking this sensitive question, as they were Muslims. But this was probably the one thing that had made Pari confident about her journey toward this unknown port of call. Both Ashok da and Seema di had made it clear that as long Pari loved and cared for the children, followed the instructions given by them, and cooked good Biryani (this of course with laughter in their voices), they would welcome her with open arms.

That night at dinner, Mita said, addressing Taufiq, "Let's go to the bazar on Saturday. Hat bar acche tow. Need to buy some dresses for Pari." "And me?" Shona asked, with her mouth full of food and eyes full of tears, at the thought of only Pari getting new clothes. "Kanna kati noy Shona ma. Don't cry Shona, I will get new things for all of you," Taufiq said cheerfully.

Abbu is feeling very happy in anticipation of the foreign money, Pari thought, silently biting into a piece of roti.