Tenzing said a Buddhist ceremony was in order. Sunil Seth struck a deal with Ali Khan and they had to organise for the burnt body of Mumbles to be taken away by discreet, secular pall bearers. In its place the pall bearers left piles of marigolds and soon it was like nothing bad had ever happened to Mumbles. This satisfied almost everyone as they divided the flowers to do what each one wanted to do with the cook’s burning memory. His widow was not content but no one appeared to take note of her. Govinda saw his mother go to the flowers. She stood near the marigolds for what seemed like a long time. She looked on nervously. When Mumble’s wife and his children left through the school gate with their few belongings, Gitanjali slowly bent down and took one of the flowers. She was crying as she wandered back to their apartment. Govinda felt sick. He was not used to seeing bodies that were dead and burnt and he felt traumatised. He wanted to comfort his mother but at the same time he was angry. He wondered when his parents would protect him from this terrible world. He knew bad things happen to people but nothing had prepared him for the reality of this type of violence. All he wanted was for his mother to comfort him but she was clearly bereft.

Govinda watched Indira Gandhi’s funeral on television. All the world leaders were there. No one was talking about the attacks on Sikhs. ‘I will miss Mrs Indira Gandhi very much indeed,’ said British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher after laying a wreath on the body of the slain Indian leader. The broadcaster referred to Mrs Gandhi as ‘the mother of the nation’. Govinda learned that she was born in November 1917 to Kamala and Jawaharlal Nehru. Her father, Jawaharlal, was an important figure in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He became the first Prime Minister of India. She was cremated in November near Raj Ghat. Beside the funeral pyre, amidst the smoke and ash, her younger son, Rajiv, and his Italian-born wife, Sonia, stoically looked on. Rajiv was tipped to take over as the Prime Minister. Govinda’s father sat alone at the dining room table listening to the wireless. ‘It is strange but I admire her and the Congress Party,’ he said. ‘It must be very hard to run this country.’ His mother stayed in her bedroom. Govinda wondered when his parents would start talking. Outside he heard chanting, ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Rajiv Gandhi – ki – Jai’. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister later that week.

The River

The River

‘I’m worn out,’ said Sunil Seth. ‘Fortunately they had not made an appointment for my position.’