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ISSN: 0974-892X

VOL. V
ISSUE I

January, 2011

 

 

Joseph Kaval

The Seagull

            In the evening Reetha took Nalini to the soukh in Manama for shopping. When they returned it was quarter to eight and the office was gearing up for closing for the day.
            “What did you buy?” John asked Nalini.
            Nalini showed him a couple of saarees and underskirts, a pair of bra, few panties, a maxi, a nightie, and a sweater. He found her selection was good and up to the need.
            “How much did you pay?” He asked.
            “Forty Dinars. I paid for her. It’s my pleasure.” Reetha answered.
            “Oh! You, a generous duck! You are magnanimous indeed!!”    
            He fished out four ten Dinar Bahrain bills from his breast pocket and shoved them to Reetha. She politely refused.
            “Why should you pay for her from your pocket? Take it, my dear.” He insisted, “It’s on office account. She’s going to work for us.”
            Reetha then shot a fierce glance at him. Her eyes became red. Her face showed that she was not pleased but annoyed.
            If Reetha got really angry nobody in the office could stand to her. He has seen her in a very angry mood umpteen times and he liked her temper very much.
            Reetha was from Eda-Cochin, Kerala. She was like a seagull. She could fly anywhere and at any time. She was able to dig out and pick up the best food from the muddy waters. She would get whatever her eyes fell upon. He understood her traits during the interview itself. He knew that Reetha was capable of doing anything. He soon realized her caliber was high.
            Reetha has a challenging attitude and a fighting nature. She also has the knack and style to deal with anyone. She did her job always neatly, methodically and in time. Her desk would never appear in disarray and disorder. She would often shout at Imran the office boy who had no sense of order and decorum. She would even bombard the accountant. She would yell at the Bahraini driver who did not know good manners and conduct. Even though she was always at variance with everyone, she was equally respected and loved by all the members of the staff and the clients.
            Reetha could handle two telephones at a time. She would be typing also and sometimes in between those, she would be giving directions to the office boy. As a receptionist she was thorough and superb. She spoke Malayalam, English and Hindi fluently. She could also manage Tamil. She was also good at colloquial Arabic. She would manage the clients and the customers easily. As s secretary she has an overall view of the functioning the office and she discharged her duties remarkably. She was considered number three in the office.
            Reetha joined the placement agency two years before for a salary of 100 Dinars. Today she earns 150 Dinars and will have 25 Dinars per month by way of perks. She sends 100 Dinars regularly for the family in Kerala - father, mother, younger sister and a brother.  
            Anthony, her father, was a foreman. How did he become a foreman? Nobody knew, not even Reetha. He knew only two things in life, to make others work like donkeys and to drink Toddy like a bull. He was working in the Cochin Shipyard for the civil contractors. Once the project was completed, his work with the Shipyard also was over. He took upon himself the job of a broker between the Forwarding Agents and the laborers at the Customs. He would arrange workers for the Agencies. In the course of time he lost even that job when the unions flourished in the labor market. For the most of the time he would be roaming around the streets of Mattanchery and Eda-Cochin happy and lucky.
            Reetha’s mother Margarita was bedridden suffering from Asthma. Jacintha her sister took care of the house. She has passed Pre-degree and went for typing and shorthand. She was also doing a part time job of a sales girl in a stationery shop. She sang in the church choir. She was very spicy like small red chilly. Tom, her brother was studying in the tenth standard.      
            They have a small plot of land and a house in it. So they have a place to rest. They ate three meals a day. They dressed fairly. They used foreign powders and perfumes. Money came to them regularly and at times foreign goods also. They needed not beg nor stoop their head for anything. Because of the Gulf money they lived happily and peacefully. The neighbors respected them. They were proud of Reetha.
            Reetha began to earn at the age of eighteen after passing PUC with flying colors. For the first two years she worked in a textile shop of a Marathi in Mattanchery as a sales girl. Later she got employed in Bombay by the uncle of that Marathi-wallah who has Real Estate and Property Development Office in Bombay.
            In Bombay everything was anew to Reetha. She encountered with new language, new dress, new fashions and styles and a number of new faces. She copped with the new situation. She soon learned the technique of purchase and sale of properties, mechanism of profitably trading the lands. She also gained the knowledge in the leasing business. She became an important figure in the office. She earned the confidence of the owner Madhwani Aluvalia.
            But her open nature, straight- forward approach and sincerity brought unwanted calamity. She fought with Prakash Madwani, the son of the boss who had an eye on her. She resisted his advances. One day he attacked her. He almost raped her. She felt deeply humiliated. Her pride was wounded. Her soul was injured. Luckily the mental wound was not fatal nor the bodily injury. Conscientious Madhwani was willing to compensate for the bloody mistake of his son. He became very generous and considerate. Reetha accepted his offer, a work permit and visa in Bahrain. She got employed with Panaji Jewellery Shop in the gold soukh of Manama. In the world of selling and buying the precious yellow metal Reetha shined as an overall secretary. Gradually she learned that there was no life and vigor in that business except gold and money. She felt that life in gold soukh has no glitter as the gold. When the two year contract was over she wanted a change of job. The sponsor was willing to oblige her. Reetha joined Al Jamal Public Relations and Manpower Supply Agency.
            Reetha has enough life experience. She has become now a matured seagull. She has no permanent abode. To none she has opened her heart. Nobody could get a firm hold on her. She has few boy friends and girlfriends. She used to say; “I’m not a post box or any one’s private box. I’m like a wind. I’m like a flint.”
            Reetha seemed to be really religious. She frequented the Sacred Heart Church in Al Hoora. She took active part in the church activities. She went around like a butterfly. She might be mistaken for a ‘light girl’ but she was a very strong woman. Her real friends were handful. They knew her heart carried a lot of sorrows and a lot more dreams.
            During the first Friday of the month Reetha would come to his room at about 10 O’clock. She would enter the kitchen and prepare intercontinental lunch. They would eat together. After the lunch they would see a film. Some times she would share his double cot in his bedroom and start talking non-stop about the hopes lost in the yesterdays and the dreams of tomorrow.
            Bahrain the magic lamp of the Middle East was as fascinating as that of Aladdin. It gave wings to beautiful dreams to fly over cloud nine. A slight mistake, a wrong calculation, a faulty step might ground one and make him/her cripple and paralytic forever. Being a careful flyer one could reach the heaven and become a star and shine. Being a skilled diver one could dive deep into the ocean and collect valuable pearls.
            At times Reetha would bring her friends to his flat on special holidays. At noon there would be an excellent party with lot of drinks and a lot of food. So far he had no problem with anyone. She knew how to handle her guys well and keep them within the boundaries of decency and decorum. He used to enjoy their company.
            He knew a number of Anglo -Indian secretaries working in the Island. Among them only few were of high caliber and stamina and could stand to the temptations of Gulf. Reetha was one among them. In the office she would address him ‘Sir’ and outside she would call him ‘Uncle’. He trusted and respected her. She equally reciprocated to him. Hence they kept the distance between Kochi and Kollam in tact, safe and secure.
            There are relations that lead to love through sexual intimacy. There are relations that lead to sexual intimacy through love. There are relations that remain only in mutual sexual gratification. Similarly there are relations bound by love and affection only. But the criteria for each one depended on each person’s attitude and perception.
            He knew that he could always count on Reetha whether she was angry or not.
            “Reetha, where’re you going now? What’s your programme? ” He asked.
            “To Salmania. One of my friends has returned to the Island from Cochin. She has brought something for me. I want to meet her. Perhaps tonight I might stay with her. Bye…bye” She said.
            “See you tomorrow. Good night.”
            “Good night, sir.” Reetha said and walked away to her car like a humming bird. Nalini looked at her intently for some time.
            “Um, what happened? Why are you staring at her?” He asked.
            “May I ask you something, sir?” She paused and inquired, “Are you married?”
            “No”
            “Is Reetha your girlfriend?”
            “Yes, indeed. She’s a girl and a friend. Why do you ask?”
            “When you gave her money she did not like it. She was shooting red eye at you.”
“Oh! That’s all? Never mind. She’s very special. You will learn soon. Listen, I am leaving for Salmania Hospital. Check everything and close the office. Goodnight.”

He put his overcoat and walked out into office garage.