A bend in space-time (Season 2) - The Umbrella Academy

Chapter 7: Marigolds on the Ganges

Chronological markers: this scene fits like a deleted scene from season 2. It takes place during the flashback of the Children of Destiny's travels, at the beginning of episode 3 (around 02:20, following the previous chapter)

---

August 30th 1962, Delhi, India

I had no idea what a shock my first breaths on Indian ground would be. Past the kerosene of Delhi airport, past the airport controls that even aspiring hippies can't avoid, past the collision with castes and noise. Beyond the few vibrant and chaotic miles leading to the fragrant markets of Paharganj, colourful and sepia-toned all at once. Through the bittersweet beauty of colonial architecture, and into the echoes of the Jama Masjid's red sandstone minarets. Here, it is said that Westerners who come to India learn patience if they have none, and lose it if they have. This is also true. But the 'Destiny's Children' are an unusual species, hovering somewhat above all of this.

Here in Delhi, we met up again with an 'old friend', Allen, who hadn't travelled with us for the European part of the trip, just like Tim, now back in Harvard. I still love his irrational, intuitive approach to life, which reminds me of how much I've always tried to control everything. By the way, Bob Dylan took an interest in Howl, his poetry collection, and I just can't believe it. We'll be on the road together again for a while, along with Peter, his boyfriend, and then they'll leave us to head south to the caves of Ellora.

The news is bleaker for Kitty, who has spent most of the last few days in New Delhi's medical services. She has deliberately chosen to carry on with us, but she hides her concern behind a perpetually radiant face. Her generosity has only increased tenfold, and not just towards Klaus and the 'Children': she has invested here in an orphanage that will be called after her. I don't know what's growing inside her, but her expression sometimes reminds me of my mother's, when she looks into the distance but can't see the horizon. I'm afraid the crab might take her away, but I'm sure she won't tell us.

You can't imagine how kind Klaus is to her, behind his diva-like demeanor. I don't know what he's sensing, but he's supporting her in his own way, for the months she has left. I don't think she's ever been fooled by him, and neither has he. They both know what their relationship was all about. He needed money and a place in this world. She had no heir, she knew she was ill, she wanted to live one last time. She's going to leave him a hell of a lot of money, and - having no administrative existence in this era - he's not going to declare it. But after all, is that really what we should remember ?

I regret that Lloyd chose to return between the walls of his father's electronics store in Dallas. That he didn't experience the sound of rolling rickshaws, the confusing spices of street food, the clamor of Old Delhi, where the centuries-old stones speak as much of the past as the people. I kind of miss him. As you can imagine, the more sane people have already left the 'Children of Destiny'. Little by little, only the most lost, the most devoted, or the unclassifiable, like Kitty and me, remain. Life choices are a kaleidoscope, and even if mine are also changing, for the moment I'm fully focused on these months, which are already transforming me for the simple fact of existing here.

---

September 20th 1962, Rishikesh, India

I remember that when I first arrived, Klaus's complete nullity when it came to yoga drew some pitying smiles from me. I quickly changed my mind when I looked into his reasons for getting into it, and today I have nothing but respect for him. I realized that this was his personal journey to well-being and self-control, previously out of his reach. A kind of path beyond his own limits. The Niyamas personal discipline, the Asanas postures and breathing, made up of control and release, and the peace of mind sought through meditation, have already greatly enhanced his ability to deal with ghosts, which he is increasingly able to keep at bay. His sense of balance is still close to zero, and that's unlikely to ever change, but his perseverance is striking: there's not a day he doesn't practice for one hour at least. I'm not sure he ticks all the boxes of the Yamas ethical principles though. No, as a matter of fact, he's trashing them all: better not to talk about it.