A middle-aged Chinese woman entered the shop. She was wearing long trousers and a long top. Mahabir Prasad stopped talking and looked at her.

‘I want a bar of Sunlight soap,’ the woman said with a courteous smile. She took the soap, handed Mahabir Prasad one anna and left the shop with silent, graceful steps.

‘That was Ho Wang’s wife. They don’t have children – it’s very sad.’ Mahabir Prasad sighed.

‘I’ll take your leave, uncle.’ Pulok stood up to go.

‘Alright. Come again.’

Pulok stepped out. This happened whenever he came through this road. Exchanging pleasantries with everyone took up a lot of his time. While crossing the lane he looked towards his left. The road through Cheenapatti was lively with people. A few Chinese women were chatting in front of their houses.

Many Chinese inhabitants had gone to the market to shop for the New Year festivities. The Makum market would be crowded with Chinese people today. Everyone knew that the Chinese loved food. In fact, many shops in the market depended mostly on the Chinese customers.

Almost facing each other, on either side of the main road leading to Doom Dooma, were the two lanes of Cheenapatti. On the other side of the railway line stood the Chinese school.

Pulok looked at the school. There were a few people on the verandah talking amongst themselves. A group of young children were playing in the courtyard. The shop-cum-restaurant owned by Mok Min near the school was full of customers.

An ex-tea garden labourer named Raghuwa Mahato, who lived inside the Cheenapatti lane, came out carrying two tins of paint. These days he cultivated his own land and did odd jobs.

‘Is everything okay?’ he enquired with a wide grin.

‘Yes, uncle. Where are you going with these tins of paint?’

‘To K. P. Lee sahab’s bungalow. His wife called me. She asked me to bring two tins of paint. Yesterday, I painted Ah Fuk’s sister’s house and Ho Chang Ho’s house too. It’s going to be fun,’ smiled Raghuwa.

Across the lane was Ming and Company’s factory, owned by Ming Ho, one of the wealthiest Chinese men of Makum. Besides repairing tea garden machinery, the company also retreaded the machines. Next to it was K. P. Lee’s factory. K. P. Lee lived with his family in the same compound.

‘Lee sahab is going to buy another new car, I have heard. I don’t know what he will do with so many cars. He already has two Plymouths and a Jeep. He has such a huge factory. Just go in and have a look, your head will start reeling,’ Raghuwa muttered. Saying goodbye to Pulok, Raghuwa entered the compound. Several Alsatians barked from inside. Leaving the factory behind, Pulok turned left to enter a narrow lane towards Chitta’s house. Chitta’s wife Bela was seated in the courtyard, busy rubbing oil on her baby’s body. Noticing Pulok, she covered her head with the throw of her sari.

‘Please sit down, dada, while I bathe the baby.’