Ronjon walked out of Gael's house and sat upon a steel chair at the veranda. He placed a paper on the glass table. He had to write a letter to Asha. Two months not hearing anything from him would worry Asha. He tried. He knew he tried to get their passports, but more government employees fled the country. Now, he couldn't do anything else but write this sad letter. Ronjon hoped this letter would give his loney wife an assurance that her husband was doing well.[July 9, 1946Dearest Asha,My wife, I'm certainly disheartened that I couldn't come to you as I promised. I didn't write for two months, for I was hoping I can get out with Ma and sis to surprise you, but time is against us. Ma wishes me to follow you and leave them here, but I know you would agree with me to stay with them. Don't worry, we're all doing fine. We are now living in Gael's house. It is safer here and far from the chaos.The city is getting restless, but I'll try to seek all the resources I can hold on to so we can
Ronjon sat on a rickshaw on the way back to Gael's place. In his hand was a letter from Harry for a speedy release of his mother and sister's passport. Somehow, his mind was not on the paper but with their conversation earlier."Ronjon, are you not thinking of living in France for good?""That would be tempting, Uncle, but Asha and I wish to come back.""Why? With your caliber, there would be a lot of opportunities for you in France. Why come home to this God-forsaken country." Harry lifted his hand and slammed them on the table. "Can't you see, we who are sitting in the Parliament are even having doubts about the outcome of our country." He looked at the young man again. "Is there something you and Asha are hiding from us?"Ronjon avoided Harry's eyes. He went to the windows and fixed his gaze outside."Ronjon, things are already very crazy here and both of you are still adamant on keeping a secret from us. What is wrong? Why can't you tell us?""I'm sorry, Uncle. But I think this is
Ronjon wrote a letter to Asha.[Dearest Asha,I already got our passports but the plane is always full. I tried to bribe a ticket officer but he said he too wanted to leave the country but all outside travels are fully booked. He even mentioned that the government might temporarily stop the flights due to this country's situation. I'm afraid we can't come soon.By the way, Uncle Harry already understands that we are hiding something from them. I wish to tell them and I know he would probably have a solution for you but I think it is not yet the right time. I'm asking the people here about the possibility of moving the orphans somewhere but as of the moment, I couldn't find a good place for them. Also, no one would believe me if I tell them these orphans will be killed by their own sponsor if you won't show your face after two years.If you see fit to tell them about this, I will follow your wishes. I miss you. I really miss you.Loving you always,Your husband, Ronjon]. . . . .Labani
August 16, 1946. Ronjon sat on a bench at the post office while reading a letter from Asha.[August 1, 1946
In France, on that very day of the catastrophe, Asha was on her way to Tarla's restaurant with her prepared dish. Along the way, her heart thumped faster than normal. She felt stifled, her mind was on Ronjon. She wanted to go back home but she couldn't back out now. As she walked, she prayed. "God, protect my husband and my in-laws. And help me to get the apprenticeship."
Tarla saw her difficulty. She was now convinced with Gael's words that Asha was capable and expected highly of her. Thus, she added a 'bit' of fun and called her friends to become the taste testers. She believed the food Asha brought was good enough for her restaurant but this event would show her on how Asha would face pressing circumstances in the future.Tarla welco
Ninu and Binoba stood erect with their backs on the caller. Instincts told them not to respond to the man. They continued to walk all the way to the rickshaw and talked of things unrelated to their purpose of coming."You better get your wife those sweets, Bhai." Ninu started.
What Asha heard from Labani was only about their country's partition and on what awaited for them in the future.About Harry, he was busy debating in the Parliament for the passport holders abroad. He was fighting for their immunity for a certain period of time, enough for these people to decide and choose which one would be their own country and to where they would pl