Ameena had not come over today. Saroja was used to her presence. They had grown old together since school days. Both had been widowed about 10 years ago and Ameena had on her own taken on the role of housekeeper to Saroja at her small cottage that was along side the tree-lined beach by the sea.
Saroja could actually get by on her own but she did not want Ameena to know. Her friend needed the wages that she paid her each month. She had explained it away by saying that her very rich son-in-law sent the money from London. Her children and son-in-law knew about her conspiracy and they understood.
Ameena was a very self conscious and independent sort of woman and did not wish to be a burden on her two sons and their wives. She had taken care to see that they lived independently in nearby villages. Her friendship with Saroja was more precious to her than in taking care of her sons' families.
Saroja was curious and wonder if something was wrong. She called up Mr Fernando, the one who run the village grocery shop and asked him. Ameena's shop was right opposite Fernando's grocery store. Her orphaned niece ran the shop with her young daughter. She had been abandoned by her husband and Ameena had adopted the young mother and her daughter.
Fernando had a look at the shop and informed Saroja that he could not see Ameena. He would go up to the store and ask. No, he assured Saroja, that he would not let on about her telephone query. He called back to inform that Ameena had to rush to meet her younger daughter-in-law in the neighbouring village. There was some problem but she would come back by the night bus. Mrs. Fernando asked him to add that she would send her grandson with some packed lunch and a thermos of tea for Saroja.
Saroja decided to walk to the beach at noon. She was feeling lost without Ameena. Her friend needed her own space, she told herself. She sat below the very cool and darkened spot at the mango tree in her backyard. It was hot out there at the beach and by the sea. She could wait it out at the mango tree.
A foot trail passed by from the village to the resort area and the touristy beach up ahead. A lone dog was walking about and he came up to Saroja and plonked himself alongside in the shade. He looked very thirsty and was panting. Saroja looked out at the vastness of the sea and smiled at the paradox. "All that water out there!!!"
She looked at the dog and spoke to him, "wait here. Let me go and get something to eat for you and some water. Do not go away." The dog was two exhausted to reply. He did not react. Saroja walked back to the house and dunked some dried up leftover chapatis in milk and poured out water in a deep melamine soup bowl and carried them out to the mango tree.
The dog looked up and must have understood for he stood up expectantly. She placed the two bowls near the dog. He went all out at the chapatis and ate them up within a couple of minutes and drank the water immediately after and sat back at his spot as earlier.
Saroja felt happier since the morning misgiving about Ameena. Mr. Fernando's grandson came up with the lunch parcel from his grandmother. He looked very cheerful. He handed over the lunch parcel and spoke to the dog. "Hey! There you are! How did you know that I was coming here?"
He turned to Saroja and said, "he is my dog and I thought he had gone exploring somewhere else. He must have come for his lunch in exchange for your lunch".
Saroja laughed. Mr. Fernando's grandson laughed loudly and happily. Saroja looked out at the sea and told herself that the waves and the energy made it all "ok" in her life everyday.
Bharat Bhushan, 3 September 2022
From the series, the very very short stories - the old lady and the sea - a new approach to visit the memories of yesterday
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