For quite a while after the news, no one spoke. The joyous atmosphere had evaporated. Putting an end to the silence Tung Chin said, ‘If things continue like this, there is bound to be a war.’

‘If a war breaks out, there will be lot of trouble,’ Narayan said.

‘We’ve heard our elders discussing that we might already be in trouble,’ Lee Chang said.

‘Forget it. What trouble can there be? You haven’t attacked India, have you? Now come on, let’s go.’ Rameswar stood up to leave.

Ming was still engrossed in his book.

‘If you want any books, take them,’ Pulok said.

Ming’s face brightened as he looked at his brother for permission.

‘You don’t have to look at him. Just take them,’ Pulok repeated.

‘Can I take these three?’

‘Go ahead,’ Rameswar said, laughing. ‘Pulok is not going to read books for some time, don’t worry.’

Pulok and his friends went out. They were all going to Makum to see the Durga puja celebrations. After that, they were to go to Ho Wang’s house for dinner.

The puja pandal reverberated with the sound of drums. Holding earthen pots, with the smoke of resin rising in the air, two young boys were performing an arati in front of the goddess. The area was filled with shops selling balloons and sweetmeats.

Yiu Yi was inside the pandal. She came running when she saw them; her face was gloomy.

‘How are you, Yiu Yi?’ asked Tung Chin.

‘I’m very sad today, ako.’

‘Why?’

‘I am feeling bad for Anjali.’

‘Who is Anjali?’

‘The girl who studies with me. She cried a lot today, did you know? Mei Ho also cried. Achun, Wong Choy did too. Their parents have not come to take them home, that’s why.’

Pulok and his friends were aware of this. They had already come to the school and discussed the matter with the teachers. They bought new clothes for the boarders to wear during the festival. The families of Cheenapatti had also invited the boarders to have food in their homes.

‘Today we have been invited to Ho Wang uncle’s house for dinner. Ko Fuk and their friends are very thankful that you all gave them new clothes. “Your brothers are very good,” they said.’

‘You are a very good girl,’ Pulok said fondly.

‘Have you met Mei Lin ache? There she is! Shall I call her?’

‘It’s alright. Don’t call her.’

Pulok would meet Mei Lin in Ho Wang’s house anyway. Since their engagement, Pulok also felt a little shy to talk to her in the presence of others.

A group of girls, including Kaushalya, Mei Hang, Alan, Siu, Ahlin, Chitta’s wife Bela, his sister Jhuma and Mei Lin, were watching the arati.

‘Ahlin, look there, it’s Ananta,’ Mei Hang said, laughing softly. ‘Go and talk to him, or he won’t get any sleep tonight.’

Ananta walked up to them.