The Hungry Tide - Amitav Ghosh [86]
“My goodness!” said Nilima. “And who was this man? Did he tell you his name?”
“Sure,” said Piya. “His name’s Fokir.”
“Fokir?” cried Nilima. “Do you mean Fokir Mandol by any chance?”
“He didn’t tell me his last name.”
“Was there a little boy with him?” said Nilima.
“Yes, there was,” said Piya. “Tutul.”
“That’s him.” Nilima directed a glance in Kanai’s direction. “So that’s where he was.”
“Were people looking for them?”
“Yes,” said Kanai. “Fokir’s wife, Moyna, works at the hospital here and she’s been half out of her mind with worry.”
“Oh?” said Piya. “It’s probably my fault. I kept them out there longer than they’d have stayed.”
“Well,” said Nilima, pursing her lips. “As long as they’re back now — no harm done.”
“I hope not,” said Piya. “I’d hate to think I’d gotten him into some kind of trouble. He saved my life, you know. And it wasn’t just that — he also led me straight to a pod of dolphins.”
“Is that so?” said Kanai. “But how did he know you were looking for dolphins?”
“I showed him a picture, a flashcard,” Piya said. “And that was all it took. He led me straight to the dolphins. In a way, that fall was the luckiest thing that could have happened to me — I’d never have found the dolphins on my own. I really need to see him again. I’ve got to pay him, for one thing.”
“Don’t worry about that,” said Nilima. “They live nearby, in the Trust’s quarters. Kanai will take you there tomorrow morning.”
Piya turned to him. “It’d be great if you could.”
“Yes,” said Kanai, “of course I will. But that can wait. For the time being, we’ve got to get you settled so you can change and rest up.”
Piya had given no thought to what would happen next, and now, with the euphoria of her arrival beginning to fade, she was suddenly aware of a weighty backlog of fatigue. “Settled?” she said, looking around. “Where?”
“Here,” said Kanai. “Or rather, upstairs.”
She was discomfited to think he had assumed she would stay with him. “Are there any hotels around here?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Nilima. “But there’s a guest house upstairs with three empty rooms. You’re very welcome to stay there. There’s no one in it but Kanai. And if he bothers you, just come down and let me know.”
Piya smiled. “I’ll be fine — I know how to look after myself.” But she was glad the invitation had come from Mashima: somehow it made it easier to accept. “Thank you,” she said. “I’d really appreciate a good night’s rest. Are you sure I won’t be in your way if I stay a couple of days?”
“Stay as long as you like,” said Nilima. “Kanai will show you around.”
“Come on,” said Kanai, reaching for one of her backpacks. “It’s this way.” He led her upstairs and, after pointing out the kitchen and bathroom, unlatched a door and switched on a fluorescent light. The bedroom was no different from his own: there were two narrow beds in it, each equipped with its own mosquito net. The replastered cement walls were blotchy with damp spots and cracks, left behind by the last monsoon. On the far side was a barred window that looked out over the rice fields that adjoined the Trust’s compound.
“Will this do?” said Kanai, depositing her backpack on one of the beds.
Piya stepped in and looked around. Although bare in appearance, the room was comfortable enough: the sheets were clean and there was even a towel lying neatly folded at the foot of the bed. By the window stood a desk and a straight-backed chair. The door, she was glad to note, had a sturdy latch that could be attached from the inside.
“This is more than I expected,” Piya said. “Thanks so much.”
Kanai shook his head. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “It’ll be nice to have you here. I was getting a bit lonely on my own.”
She didn’t know what to make of this, so she gave him a neutral smile.
“Anyway, I’ll leave you to settle in,” said Kanai. “I’ll be upstairs in my uncle’s study. Knock if you need anything.”
A FEAST
Any excuse to return to Morichjhãpi would have sufficed, but none could have been better than that which Horen presented me. I had,