‘The restrictions will not be removed easily. Secret orders have already come to keep an eye on the Chinese,’ one of the officials blurted.

The Chinese businessmen became wary.

‘Why are there orders to keep an eye on us?’ A. C. Chow asked hesitantly.

‘There may be spies amongst you! Are there any?’ a government officer asked jokingly.

‘How would we know? Most people go to work and come home to eat and sleep. Most of them are not educated. What kind of spying can they do, I wonder?’ A. C. Chow said.

‘But some can read I’m sure. I’ve seen Chinese books in your club’s library. Who reads those books?’

‘It’s the school teachers who read them.’

‘Some from Cheenapatti also read them, I am sure. You cannot say there is no spy among them.’

A. C. Chow kept silent. Everyone glanced at the officer. Was he drunk or was he pretending? It was hard to say. Most of the Chinese businessmen were smart enough to know that agents of government intelligence were around. But they did not think that their safety was at stake. There was nothing to worry about. Most of the government officials of that area knew them. They were not new settlers. The bones of their ancestors were buried in this land. They had toiled hard to climb the ladder of success to reach their present status, in which endeavour the government officials had also helped a lot. In return, they also gave whatever they could to these officials.

‘The Chinese can cook wonderful food, I must say. What is this – chow mein? Why is it so long? It is difficult to eat.’

‘We don’t break up the chow mein into small bits because the length signifies longevity.’

‘Oh that’s why? I’ll come some other day to eat properly. I have to leave now. I’ll take this with me.’ The officer picked up the bottle and walked out unsteadily.

At that time Pulok and his friends were on their way to Ho Wang’s house. Ho Wang had invited the hostel students for a meal. Pulok and his friends had brought small gifts for all the children. Ho Wang had also invited all the Chinese who lived in the lane. They’d all arrived a little before Pulok and his friends got there. Ho Wang’s quiet home suddenly became lively with the presence of all the guests, including the children. Ho Wang and his wife received the guests with glowing faces.

The children, clad in new clothes and shoes, were sitting beside Cha Mu. They looked sad and confused. Every year they went home for the puja vacation. Most of them lived in tea gardens. Durga puja was their favourite festival. But this time no one had come to take them home.

Pulok and his friends sat near the children.

‘Thakra dada abused us today,’ Yiu Yi said quietly.

‘Why did he do that?’ Pulok asked.