The Lost Thread

The Tenant

The sun was casting its last remaining rays when Maya reached her tiny house. It was tucked around a corner, a few meters off the main road, spread across two stories. It was last in the long row of houses that lined the street. The lower level has her kitchen, a long room that served both as the living and dinning room. A small flight of stairs at the back led to two rooms and a tiny bathroom. It was small, but it was heavenly. 

Her favourite feature was the long balcony running along the two stories in the front of the house. It gave her a clear view of the snow capped mountains in the horizon. She never gets tired of the view. Sometimes, she and Kedar spend hours discovering new feature in the ginormous mountains that loom over them.

Her house had cost a fortune. In this remote area any building material has to be brought from the plains. Each one-thousand meters adds another one thousand rupees to the cost. She had to borrow heavily to buy her house. But it was worth it. She wanted to give Kedar something he could call his own.

 To help her with the cost, she had decided to rent out the second room. Her current tenant is a crazy woman, a geologist from America with deep Indian roots. Richa.  Her research has kept her in the area for more than a year. She sometimes disappears for a few weeks to camp on the high mountains for research work. But the rest of the times, she remains cooped up in her room, fiddling with her equipments and computer. Her temper at those times were just as short as her hair. Only a cup of masala chai can soothe her.

So Maya's first task was to put the kettle on. Kedar went running up the stairs straight into their room. His favourite toy was waiting for him. It was a panda that Krish uncle got for him from Delhi last year. His name was Pandu, who was a very patient listener. He can sit still for hours while his young owner spilled the story of the day in his stuffed ears. Today's topic will surely be the wonderful texture and the great beauty of Pilu's tail.

'What's for dinner?'

Richa's query was just as unapologetic as her appearance. Red bright cropped top and jeans shorts would be perfect for a sunny American picnic, but her in the conservation, ultra-religious community, this was scandalous. For the sake of Maya's reputation, Richa covered up outside, but at home she wore what she wanted.

'Fried rice and Gobi Manchurian'

Richa signed. 

'It's not that your food is not tasty, in fact it is one of the best I have ever had, but some days I just crave chicken. Why can't you make chicken? That little boy of yours also needs protein.'

Maya smiled. 'Why don't you open one of those cans?'

'They taste like rubber now.'

'Use your imagination. Think of the Gobi as chicken.'

'I am a research scholar, not a freaking poet'

Maya gives her the tea and switches on the TV. Over the last few months, this has become a ritual for them. They would sit and watch TV, mostly in silence. But the very fact that there is someone in the room, the house, makes it less lonely. Maya dreaded the time Richa will move back to the U. S.

'When is the good doctor coming?'

Richa's question caught her off guard. For a moment she went completely blank, not understanding at all. Then it dawned. She was talking about Krish.

Krish's full name was Krishnacharya Dubey. But looked very little Krishnacharya, and more Krish. Most of the people knew him as Dr. Dubey of the Millitary hospital. But to friends like  Maya, he was Krish.

Krish was a regular visitor in the house. He was the one who helped Maya in every way I those first difficult months. He was also exceptionally fond of Kedar. Richa, however, was of the opinion that the doctor is in love with Maya. 

Maya was not so sure. Krish was a gentleman, a pillar of support, a good friend. But nothing in his behaviour ever suggested he wanted anything more than friendship. 

'He is been a bit busy last couple of weeks. He texted me last week saying he might drop by this weekend.'

Richa nodded. The fact is she missed him more than Maya. Sometimes she is so jealous of Maya, even Kedar. She envies the easy and uncomplicated relation they have with Krish. With her, it was another matter. He would not even add her to his Facebook, her request pending for months. But in person, he would be all cordial. The man in beginning to get under her skin.

The mention of Krish brought memories in her mind. Krish was one of the few people who remembered Dhruv. They were part of the same team when Dhruv came here for the first time.