In an Assam-type quarter of the Babu line of the Raidang tea estate, Pulok and his friends sat in Akong’s house. Akong worked as a fitter in the garden. All of them played for the Seven Star Club, and with the exception of Liang and Rameswar, the rest were childhood friends and classmates as well. Tung Chin supervised the business of Makum’s famous contractor, Ho Yen Kee. Liang was an apprentice carpenter in Samdang tea estate. Yao Sen had his own garage. Narayan was a teacher at Ganga Bishan Chowkhani High School. Rameswar had a cycle shop, while Robin was a junior officer with the Assam Rifles. Robin had come home after a long time and hence every one had gathered at Akong’s place.

‘I won’t be able to play this time,’ Robin said suddenly.

‘But why?’ they all chimed in.

‘I won’t get a long leave. There is a lot of tension at the NEFA border.’

‘What kind of tension?’

‘For a long time there has been a border dispute between us and the Chinese. The problem seems to have grown more complicated. No one knows what might happen next.’

Everyone fell silent. They were not worried about the border problem. Their only concern was Robin’s absence in the coming football matches. They were very disappointed.

‘Won’t you be able to come even for Pulok’s wedding?’ Rameswar asked, breaking the silence.

‘Has his wedding been finalized?’ Robin smiled.

‘He has told Mei Lin that if his father doesn’t agree to their marriage, he will marry her the Chinese way and take her away to his quarters in the garden,’ Rameswar said.

‘Let’s think of a Chinese name for him,’ Robin said.

‘Let Mei Lin agree first. I know her. There is very little chance of their getting married soon,’ Akong commented.

‘Everyone can’t elope with a girl from the market, as you did!’ Tung Chin teased.

‘You are no better, Ramakanta! Do you think we have forgotten the way you brought Xonpahi?’

They always teased Tung Chin by addressing him as Ramakanta. Ramakanta was Tung Chin’s formal name. Lee Chang’s formal name was Haranath. The headmaster of the lower primary school, finding it difficult to write the Chinese name of the little boy, changed it to Ramakanta with the title ‘China’. Remembering that incident, his friends never tired of teasing him.

‘Tung Chin!’ the headmaster pronounced. ‘What kind of name is that? Do you go around making a bell sound – toong, toong?’

The little boy stood still in utter shame and anger, while his friends were almost in tears, trying to control their laughter.

Next was Lee Chang’s turn.

‘Lee Chang!’ the headmaster called out. ‘From which chang, which raised platform, have you jumped down? One goes crazy hearing the names of the Chinese progeny! How difficult to pronounce! There were some more before. Thank God they have left school. What names!’