someone who runs a school in the back of beyond.â âMy English is still bad. I have a Bihari accent,â he said, without a trace of self-consciousness, 'French people have a French accent when they speak English,' 'My English wasnât even English until..,' he trailed off and fell silent. I saw him swallow to keep his composure. âUntil?â He absently stroked the notebooks on the desk. âNothing. Actually, I went to St. Stephenâs.â âIn Delhi?â âYes. English types call it âStevenâsâ.â I smiled. âAnd you are not one of the English types?â âNot at all.â The doorbell startled us.The waiter shifted the journals to put the sandwich tray on the table. A few sheets fell to the floor. âCareful!â Madhav shouted, as if the waiter had broken some antique crystal. The waiter apologized and scooted out of the room. I offered Madhav the club sandwich, which had a tomato, cheese and lettuce filling. He ignored me and rearranged the loose sheets of paper. âAre you okay? Please eat.â He nodded, His eyes still on the pages of the journal. I decided to eat, since my imposed guest didnât seem to care for my hospitality. âThese journals obviously mean a lot to you. But why have you brought them here?â âFor you to read. Maybe they will be useful to you.â âHow will they be useful to me?â I said, my voice firmer with the food inside me. A part of me wanted him out of my room as soon as possible. âShe used to like your books. We used to read them together,â he said in a soft voice.âFor me to learn English.â âMadhav,â I said, as calmly as possible, âthis seems like a sensitive matter. 1 donât want to get involved. Okay?â His gaze remained directed at the floor.âI donât want the journals either,â he said after a while. âThat is for you to decide.' âIt's too painful for me,â he said. 'I can imagine.â He stood up, presumably to leave, He had not touched his sandwich â"which was okay, because I could eat it after he left. âThank you for your time. Sorry to have disturbed you.â âItâs okay,â I said. He scribbled his phone number on a piece of paper and kept it on the table.âIf you are ever in Dumraon and need anything, let me know. |
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