"The wheat fields wave in the summer breeze, over the Caro Island in Greece, to the port is a stranded way, orange and rising from the Dumtak Bay. To my home it leads mate, on the hill of Bestinlate, come today and embrace us, far away from all your fuss. How does it sound, honey, to welcome your friend in my way?" Teo was speaking loud from the balcony where he rested in his armchair to Hana who was in the kitchen, mashing the boiled eggs.
Teo was 43, a writer with a grown beard who spent his days lazing on the island of Caro. Hana completed him, being a professional cook, and singing all day what she heard in the party previous night. The time when she would put on her long gowns and jasmines and stride down to the beach for wine in the dusk would be that when Teo would let his pen run on the white sheets. "She's coming to us in crisis Teo, don't you dare frighten her” Hana replied smiling as she carried the coffee pot to the balcony's table where Teo would always write. The brew was quickly vanishing in the breeze and the aroma filled the balcony. "Touch it before she comes and I'll push you into the Saturday night's harbour shake" she warned walking back to bake the bread. Teo wondered about how their kids would also be leading the hostel wings, given their mother's petty traits.
The doorbell chimed accompanied by the knock and Teo jumped out reaching for the door. As he pulled the door inside, there she stood, Sushi, her hair curled in a mess over her face, dusted, and her eyes, half closed. Her sleeplessness was painted dark below her eyes, her limbs drooped as she bent forward and her shirt wrinkled and folded up her sleeves. Hana walked out of the kitchen and welcomed Sushi in, pushing him aside, and took her to the couch in the balcony. Sushi lay down and held her palms against the brightness of the summer's hot sun bouncing the golden field. Her eyes crouched behind the lids and shrunk in light.
"Would you like to have a coffee?" Hana inquired already pouring into the cups. She took a cup to Sushi and waited for her to take it. Sushi regained her posture and drank the entire cup in a shot and fell back into Hana’s lap. She blabbered in a murmur, "It was not my fault him hell and principles. Selfish." Even before Teo could pose before her the questions of inquiry, her eyes closed into a deep sleep. Hana moulded her body straight and gestured, mouthing "quiet now and call me when she wakes." she walked back to her mash and Teo sat staring over into the far waters, where steamers sailed calmly, occasionally pumping their buzzing horns. There Sushi slept, her mouth wide open, as if gaping in serenity.
Two hours later, Sushi woke up to see Hana, staring, resting in Teo’s arm that curled up over her shoulder. Surprisingly, he was staring too. She sat up instantly and was searching for words to speak. "Hush sweet girl. Come let's have lunch and then sit to speak. No need to worry. Feel home. It is half past 3 and his tummy has been rapping since ages." Hana spoke, pointing to Teo, as if she could read her friend's mind. Sushi stood, and she wondered if there is any part of her body that was relaxed. She walked to the basin, washed her face and to the table where the couple were busy serving. She snatched a glass that was on the table, moist from the outside, and gulped the freezing cold water. She blinked long thrice and the scent of spices crept into her mind. The lunch was quick and heavy and not a word was uttered. Sushi ate the food, proper food, after a long time she felt. But not her buds knew any taste. All she could tell was that the food was good.
Hana suggested, "The tub is ready with warm water. Bathe long and be at rest. I have my purple gown for you. Call me in case you need me." Sushi stood up silently looking down into the circles of hell and walked in to the bath. She was different, Hana noticed from what she used to be. Earlier, she was a playful child who would always accompany Hana into every mischief. The difference was Sushi loved what she learnt and was always fascinated by the job she would do, and dreamed of enjoying an eminent position in the society whereas Hana loved to be quiet, yet naughty, dancing and singing and passing her life in herself.
The pleasant radio played blues that echoed in the house, as the couple regained their cuddling on the couch. It was an hour since lunch when Sushi returned to dress. She wore the gown and walked to the mirror and stared towards herself. Her wet hair was messed up, her eyes looked sleepless, her cheeks were pale, her hands were thin, and her frame bent. She picked the comb and walked directly to the couch. Sushi dropped it in Hana’s lap and sat on the floor right at Hana’s feet waving her to comb. Immediately, in care, Hana picked her up and made her rest in the arm chair and combed gently, drying her hair and curling it back clean. Sushi had closed her eyes, but still a drop managed to slip over her tender cheeks. Hana bent down and wiped it and inquired, "What’s it darling?" Teo calmly watched. Hana too sat down facing Sushi, her hands folded in confidence.
The sea behind her roared. Sushi spoke, after what she thought were ages or may be, seconds since the last moment of her life when she was at her office in Lika, 40 miles away from Caro by sea. What followed from there was memory vague, running to the port, calling her old dormant friend stopping by the street phone, stealing into the open cargo carrying coal, begging the sailor with the heavy moustache who was kind and running up the steep Bestinlate, her heels tearing apart. She spoke, "Hana, I am sorry for troubling you both like this.” Guilt echoed deep in her voice, as deep as from her heart. Hana spoke in the tone of an angel, her kindness consoling, and “We have been friends since childhood Sushi. You are always welcome here. Countless times I asked you to take a break and spend with us. It has dawned upon us today. Tell me first, what brings you here. What happened to you?” A teardrop already rolled on Sushi’s cheek, Teo noticed.
Sushi continued, “Today I was at the museum by 7. My work was perfect till yesterday. Perfect, Hana, as if I was everything I ever dreamed of. I had everything I wished for. A beautiful house that would look over the far sea, lots of people going around my exhibits and wondering at the marvels of ancient Greece. Everyone at the museum was so pleased with my work. I myself was, too. I walked, like every other day, today to the museum and went to my desk. As soon as I pulled up my chair, I noticed a new foolscap placed under my paperweight. It was not on the top but it was new I know. Even before I read it out, he came up to me, my boss, and pointed to me, a paper stamped ‘UNADDRESSED’ in red. I could notice that it was a copy of the same sheet I had in my hand. It was an invitation to France, I quickly ran my eyes through. I was being invited to work on their plans regarding the Bastille's underground. It would be a dream project to anyone who held a job like mine. If it went well, Hana, everyone in Europe would know our company. The name of Lika would have been heard far as Malaysia and Alaska. The deadline, highlighted in bold, was two weeks ago. I still wonder how it could have missed it. I never missed any before this, believe me, Teo, not a single piece.” Her last words were to Teo who was eyeing her suspiciously, or so she thought. Teo nodded, for he believed, and was curious.
Drawing a long breath, Sushi spoke, her voice more heavy, her eyes moist, “He ordered me angrily to address the board meeting by 8. I could not hear any of his words then, for I could see how furious he was, and how costly my untidiness had been. I was afraid for I would get fired. Indeed, Hana, I was more frightened about the fact that my life would be over, for the mistake would spread like fire on hay. Losing that deal was like forgetting to eat, Hana, will it ever happen?" Hana was keen and nodded in confirmation, that she understood what Sushi meant.
Sushi explained, “So, I slipped out calmly using the elevator before everyone knew, and as soon as I was on the road, I started running to the port. Midway, I was panting and about to faint, but I soon realized I didn’t know where I was headed to. All I could do was find the street phone beside me. So I reached for it and called you. And then, I ran again I didn’t know why, to the port, sneaked into the coal cargo instead of the ferry that would have started in ten minutes. I tell you, Hanna, the sailor pitied me looking at my helplessness and out of everything he asked, all I could say was Bestinlate. So, he dropped me on the shore and I was inquiring ‘Teo, writer, Hana’ around when they pointed me here.” Hana listened, as if it was an epic tale being told.
Teo, with some enthusiasm jumping out of his eyes, spoke, as if he was a kid being gifted a packet of toffees for opening his mouth, "Bastille I know. I received an invitation recently, from Bibliothèque nationale de France regarding an exhibit of the museum this month. Bruno invited me for I was keen to visit the royal hall for my research work. Is it a development after that period, Sushi?" Sushi, who was listening curiously since the start, with her expressions changing rapidly from desperation to fury, exclaimed, "What! I didn't know this. I should have known Maria, and believed when everyone whispered she seduced Antony. I need to go back." she turned back even as she spoke to trace back her morning journey.
She could have gone back, drooping and straining, unless Hana spoke, in the deepest of her thoughts, “Wait Sushi, think about it again. You work. You don't manipulate. You are the one who never got along with mates who hated you, cheated you behind your back. Remember Sushi, as I always say, you are a worker, brilliant and dedicated. But, someday you are to retire. You need to get away from all this fuss. You have worked a lot Sushi and the world needs you.” Hana sandwiched Sushi’s palm between hers’, as an assurance that she believed in Sushi’s work.
Hana explained, in a hurry that seemed to be out of the fear that Sushi would start going back, “Look at you. Look at the change in you, how limp your limbs seem, how tired your body is. Please, Sushi, stay here with us. There’s a big world out there to know the history. Stay, for I need you to." Hana broke down into tears, falling onto her knees and the balcony stayed calm. Teo could listen to a holiday commercial over the radio, as he looked at how both the ladies were kneeling, tears trickling along their cheeks.
That night, long after the dances at the beach, tired Hana retired to sleep. Teo was busy smoking his pot in the balcony, staring into the sea. Sushi tip-toed to the backyard, her mobile phone clutched in her hand.
Teo was 43, a writer with a grown beard who spent his days lazing on the island of Caro. Hana completed him, being a professional cook, and singing all day what she heard in the party previous night. The time when she would put on her long gowns and jasmines and stride down to the beach for wine in the dusk would be that when Teo would let his pen run on the white sheets. "She's coming to us in crisis Teo, don't you dare frighten her” Hana replied smiling as she carried the coffee pot to the balcony's table where Teo would always write. The brew was quickly vanishing in the breeze and the aroma filled the balcony. "Touch it before she comes and I'll push you into the Saturday night's harbour shake" she warned walking back to bake the bread. Teo wondered about how their kids would also be leading the hostel wings, given their mother's petty traits.
The doorbell chimed accompanied by the knock and Teo jumped out reaching for the door. As he pulled the door inside, there she stood, Sushi, her hair curled in a mess over her face, dusted, and her eyes, half closed. Her sleeplessness was painted dark below her eyes, her limbs drooped as she bent forward and her shirt wrinkled and folded up her sleeves. Hana walked out of the kitchen and welcomed Sushi in, pushing him aside, and took her to the couch in the balcony. Sushi lay down and held her palms against the brightness of the summer's hot sun bouncing the golden field. Her eyes crouched behind the lids and shrunk in light.
"Would you like to have a coffee?" Hana inquired already pouring into the cups. She took a cup to Sushi and waited for her to take it. Sushi regained her posture and drank the entire cup in a shot and fell back into Hana’s lap. She blabbered in a murmur, "It was not my fault him hell and principles. Selfish." Even before Teo could pose before her the questions of inquiry, her eyes closed into a deep sleep. Hana moulded her body straight and gestured, mouthing "quiet now and call me when she wakes." she walked back to her mash and Teo sat staring over into the far waters, where steamers sailed calmly, occasionally pumping their buzzing horns. There Sushi slept, her mouth wide open, as if gaping in serenity.
Two hours later, Sushi woke up to see Hana, staring, resting in Teo’s arm that curled up over her shoulder. Surprisingly, he was staring too. She sat up instantly and was searching for words to speak. "Hush sweet girl. Come let's have lunch and then sit to speak. No need to worry. Feel home. It is half past 3 and his tummy has been rapping since ages." Hana spoke, pointing to Teo, as if she could read her friend's mind. Sushi stood, and she wondered if there is any part of her body that was relaxed. She walked to the basin, washed her face and to the table where the couple were busy serving. She snatched a glass that was on the table, moist from the outside, and gulped the freezing cold water. She blinked long thrice and the scent of spices crept into her mind. The lunch was quick and heavy and not a word was uttered. Sushi ate the food, proper food, after a long time she felt. But not her buds knew any taste. All she could tell was that the food was good.
Hana suggested, "The tub is ready with warm water. Bathe long and be at rest. I have my purple gown for you. Call me in case you need me." Sushi stood up silently looking down into the circles of hell and walked in to the bath. She was different, Hana noticed from what she used to be. Earlier, she was a playful child who would always accompany Hana into every mischief. The difference was Sushi loved what she learnt and was always fascinated by the job she would do, and dreamed of enjoying an eminent position in the society whereas Hana loved to be quiet, yet naughty, dancing and singing and passing her life in herself.
The pleasant radio played blues that echoed in the house, as the couple regained their cuddling on the couch. It was an hour since lunch when Sushi returned to dress. She wore the gown and walked to the mirror and stared towards herself. Her wet hair was messed up, her eyes looked sleepless, her cheeks were pale, her hands were thin, and her frame bent. She picked the comb and walked directly to the couch. Sushi dropped it in Hana’s lap and sat on the floor right at Hana’s feet waving her to comb. Immediately, in care, Hana picked her up and made her rest in the arm chair and combed gently, drying her hair and curling it back clean. Sushi had closed her eyes, but still a drop managed to slip over her tender cheeks. Hana bent down and wiped it and inquired, "What’s it darling?" Teo calmly watched. Hana too sat down facing Sushi, her hands folded in confidence.
The sea behind her roared. Sushi spoke, after what she thought were ages or may be, seconds since the last moment of her life when she was at her office in Lika, 40 miles away from Caro by sea. What followed from there was memory vague, running to the port, calling her old dormant friend stopping by the street phone, stealing into the open cargo carrying coal, begging the sailor with the heavy moustache who was kind and running up the steep Bestinlate, her heels tearing apart. She spoke, "Hana, I am sorry for troubling you both like this.” Guilt echoed deep in her voice, as deep as from her heart. Hana spoke in the tone of an angel, her kindness consoling, and “We have been friends since childhood Sushi. You are always welcome here. Countless times I asked you to take a break and spend with us. It has dawned upon us today. Tell me first, what brings you here. What happened to you?” A teardrop already rolled on Sushi’s cheek, Teo noticed.
Sushi continued, “Today I was at the museum by 7. My work was perfect till yesterday. Perfect, Hana, as if I was everything I ever dreamed of. I had everything I wished for. A beautiful house that would look over the far sea, lots of people going around my exhibits and wondering at the marvels of ancient Greece. Everyone at the museum was so pleased with my work. I myself was, too. I walked, like every other day, today to the museum and went to my desk. As soon as I pulled up my chair, I noticed a new foolscap placed under my paperweight. It was not on the top but it was new I know. Even before I read it out, he came up to me, my boss, and pointed to me, a paper stamped ‘UNADDRESSED’ in red. I could notice that it was a copy of the same sheet I had in my hand. It was an invitation to France, I quickly ran my eyes through. I was being invited to work on their plans regarding the Bastille's underground. It would be a dream project to anyone who held a job like mine. If it went well, Hana, everyone in Europe would know our company. The name of Lika would have been heard far as Malaysia and Alaska. The deadline, highlighted in bold, was two weeks ago. I still wonder how it could have missed it. I never missed any before this, believe me, Teo, not a single piece.” Her last words were to Teo who was eyeing her suspiciously, or so she thought. Teo nodded, for he believed, and was curious.
Drawing a long breath, Sushi spoke, her voice more heavy, her eyes moist, “He ordered me angrily to address the board meeting by 8. I could not hear any of his words then, for I could see how furious he was, and how costly my untidiness had been. I was afraid for I would get fired. Indeed, Hana, I was more frightened about the fact that my life would be over, for the mistake would spread like fire on hay. Losing that deal was like forgetting to eat, Hana, will it ever happen?" Hana was keen and nodded in confirmation, that she understood what Sushi meant.
Sushi explained, “So, I slipped out calmly using the elevator before everyone knew, and as soon as I was on the road, I started running to the port. Midway, I was panting and about to faint, but I soon realized I didn’t know where I was headed to. All I could do was find the street phone beside me. So I reached for it and called you. And then, I ran again I didn’t know why, to the port, sneaked into the coal cargo instead of the ferry that would have started in ten minutes. I tell you, Hanna, the sailor pitied me looking at my helplessness and out of everything he asked, all I could say was Bestinlate. So, he dropped me on the shore and I was inquiring ‘Teo, writer, Hana’ around when they pointed me here.” Hana listened, as if it was an epic tale being told.
Teo, with some enthusiasm jumping out of his eyes, spoke, as if he was a kid being gifted a packet of toffees for opening his mouth, "Bastille I know. I received an invitation recently, from Bibliothèque nationale de France regarding an exhibit of the museum this month. Bruno invited me for I was keen to visit the royal hall for my research work. Is it a development after that period, Sushi?" Sushi, who was listening curiously since the start, with her expressions changing rapidly from desperation to fury, exclaimed, "What! I didn't know this. I should have known Maria, and believed when everyone whispered she seduced Antony. I need to go back." she turned back even as she spoke to trace back her morning journey.
She could have gone back, drooping and straining, unless Hana spoke, in the deepest of her thoughts, “Wait Sushi, think about it again. You work. You don't manipulate. You are the one who never got along with mates who hated you, cheated you behind your back. Remember Sushi, as I always say, you are a worker, brilliant and dedicated. But, someday you are to retire. You need to get away from all this fuss. You have worked a lot Sushi and the world needs you.” Hana sandwiched Sushi’s palm between hers’, as an assurance that she believed in Sushi’s work.
Hana explained, in a hurry that seemed to be out of the fear that Sushi would start going back, “Look at you. Look at the change in you, how limp your limbs seem, how tired your body is. Please, Sushi, stay here with us. There’s a big world out there to know the history. Stay, for I need you to." Hana broke down into tears, falling onto her knees and the balcony stayed calm. Teo could listen to a holiday commercial over the radio, as he looked at how both the ladies were kneeling, tears trickling along their cheeks.
That night, long after the dances at the beach, tired Hana retired to sleep. Teo was busy smoking his pot in the balcony, staring into the sea. Sushi tip-toed to the backyard, her mobile phone clutched in her hand.
P.S.: The characters have been inspired from the people I know, thanks to everyone so, in person. A few imaginary places, I have tried my best to describe, excuse at misconceptions. Also, I thank my editor, the old kid, for inspiring me to work. I have a sequel planned if this is good. Tell me, by any means, how you felt, if you could read upto here, please.