THREE FRINDS

FICTION-THREE FRIENDS I was working as a dhobi’s clerk in Bombay, when an item in the wanted column of the Times of India attracted my attention. A Publishing firm needed a fellow with fluency in English. I considered myself quite competent in this language, having read many novels and won prizes in Essay competition in schools. So I found myself among a dozen candidates in a posh building, waiting to be called inn and grilled with questions. My number came early and I entered the room, not without some nervousness, However, the warm smile and easy manners of the chairperson, Ammukutty, put me at ease. She asked me only personal questions about my family, the school where I studied etc. The other three in the Interview Board simply looked on. Then she called me to come close and whispered in my ear:”You have been selected. Wait outside.” I felt quite jubilant, as the work as dhobi’s clerk was tiresome, in dingy atmosphere. While waiting, I wrote a letter to my mother that now I may be able to send more money, as I have been selected in a new copany. A peon gave me the appointment order and an invitation from Madam, for dinner next Sunday. During office hours she never called me. I waited excitedly for the Sunday dinner. I wore the best dress I had; all ready made and cheap. Madam appeared in simple Malayalee dress, with uncombed hair, held in a bunch with the outer strands of hair, very dark and shining. She was fair and looked much younger than her forty years. She had the look of nobility and she encouraged me to talk. Don’t you want to know about myself? You are free to talk. She told me her name is Priya. As she did not want all people to call her Priya ( which means beloved), she chose Ammutty, as she was called at home in Keralam. In the end, she sent me home in her car. Slowly she opened her heart. She lost her lover and chose to remain alone. “Now I am telling like a girl, not as your employer: ”Would you care to share my bed?”’ followed by a bewitching smile1 I kissed her and it was sealed. In the end she cried out “ You are an expert!” We needed some more hands in the office. During the interview I fancied a girl, belonging to Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. I recommended her and she was selected. She was quite shy and I offered her accommodation as paying guest near my house. We travelled to and fro in the same train compartment every day. It was a new experience and I enjoyed it. Once I visited her home in the interior village, where no one spoke Hindi. Her sister, studying in the High School, was eager to see a man from Keralam. “Do you know Marati?”- She asked me. “No” She and her mother were very hospitable. For my bath, they placed a bucketful of water and soap, right in the quandrangle in the house and waited. I called my colleague Meera and told her my difficulty. I always bathed in the bath room. She told me to give my cloths except the chaddy and poured water over my body. She rubbed soap and poured more water; then she gave me the towel. “This is how we do it.” Food was very similar to our own in Keralam; Cooked banana, dhal and rice. Rice was served with hand, not with spoon. We had to return early. Meera’s sister was disappointed. I promised to come again. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Our friendship ended with Meera’s marriage to a rich farmer, who did not want her to work in an office. I felt lonely, in spite of the affair with Ammutty. Soon, we had a Keralite belonging to a Nambiar family in Kannur, where I too studied. It seems that some one has tipped her about me, because she came with a letter. It was easy for me. Now I was a small boss! This girl named Vijaya was dark and short. She was smart and soon became a favorite in the office. She had seen my mother. Gradually our friendship became thick. She wanted to tour the country. Often we went around, visiting temples and hills. Slowly our circle widened to include Pune, Aurangabad etc. Though we became closer, sex never showed its fangs; I don’t know why. Was Remya deliberately avoiding it for fear of pregnancy? Once I mentioned it. “Do you like sex?” She looked at me and remained silent. I persisted: “Do you like me?” Again silence. Somehow, I dared not use physical means to probe it. One Sunday Priya asked: “How is remya?” “She is alright for the job which is not difficult.” “No; how is her character?” “She is prudent”. That day we didn’t have our sex session. We were simply lying side by side, with her body half naked. I turned and placed ny hand on her breast and kissed her. “Priya, do you like to have children?” “ I am forty, is it possible now?” “Oh, yes. The method I am using to avoid pregnancy, can be used to have a baby.” Priya remained motionless for some time; then she challenged me: “ Show you are a man.” “Give me one month.” She missed her next menses! She called me into her room in the office, to convey the news. We decided to keep it a secret. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Remya started wooing me. She would entangle my body with her hands and kiss me lightly. I decided to know Priya’s mind before responding to Remya. Priya told me to have the delivery somewhere in secret and give the baby to a nun, from whom it can be adopted. That means she does not want to marry me. I was relieve. Soon Remya too became pregnant. Somehow, Priya came to know about it. She asked me; “Are yu responsible?” From my face she knew the answer. Her face hardened. She dismissed her from the office. The poor girl had to go home in Keralam. During delivery, Priya died, leaving the baby to me. She had bequeathed the Publishing firm to me. The first thing I did was to reappoint Remya.