‘You just keep quiet. These people have not attacked our country. While constructing your house you wanted a Chinese carpenter! To make your furniture you need them too. You require the Chinese to make your shoes. Now that China has attacked India these people have become alien to us? We have seen them since our childhood. They are like our own people. Please do not create unnecessary problems during the marriage, I tell you.’

Seeing his wife flare up he kept quiet and followed her inside. But from his face it was apparent that he was seething with anger.

Mei Lin and Pulok sat in a room arranged for the tea ceremony. The first people to be honoured were Yiu Yi’s grandparents and Tung Chin’s parents. Though they were not from the same clan, they were treated as family members; the three families were descendants of Ho Han, Ho Yen and Ah Chin.

Mei Lin and Pulok came to kneel before Yiu Yi’s grandparents and offer them a cup of tea. They in turn gave them a lai si, filled with money. One after the other, according to the hierarchies, they paid their respects to all the senior relatives. As they came to Mei Lin’s father, Mei Lin could not control her emotions. Handing him the cup of tea, she lowered her head to conceal her tears.

Her father remained still and silent for some time before he gave her a Lai si packet. Then, from a bag beside him, he pulled out the beautifully carved wooden box that held the bowl and chopsticks of his ancestor Ho Han. Placing the box in Mei Lin’s hand and placing his own hand in blessing over her head, he said, ‘This is a relic of your ancestors. Treat it with respect.’

He placed his hand on Pulok’s head next and said softly, ‘Look after Mei Lin well, baba!’

After paying their respects to all their seniors, Mei Lin and Pulok were now seated in their chairs. They would give a lai si to all the youngsters of the family before leaving.

At that time, Liang was taking Robin to Saikhowa ghat on his bicycle. Rameswar and Lee Chang followed behind.

Dawn was breaking outside.

Eight

Eight

‘Come in,’ Pulok called out, smiling.

‘Are you really asking me to come in? Or do you actually want me to carry on? Tell me honestly.’ Getting off from his bicycle Narayan Sharma smiled back.

‘You’ve come to show me your writings, I am sure.’

‘How did you know?’

‘You aren’t here just to look at me so early in the day!’

‘You are living in a dreamland. How can I disturb you? But for how long will you hibernate?’

Pulok showed Narayan into the living room.

‘Let me inform Mei Lin.’

As soon as Pulok returned, Narayan handed him a sheaf of papers.

‘Read this and give me your opinion.’