Part 12

Sunday morning was clear and bright and I lay in my bed thinking for a while. It was funny how things came around. I had dreaded seeing my old band mates around in case they recognised me but last night I had been welcomed by Balnoor and did him a favour in return.

I got out of bed, did my ablutions, showered and dressed ready to get some breakfast. My life was evening out now and I wondered if I needed to get some part-time work to fill in my days. I could not continue with hectic shopping all the time, I couldn’t afford it; and there was only so much practice one can do with the dholak. I contemplated on learning another instrument but decided I didn’t have that much spare time after all.

I had just put the kettle on when my phone pinged. It was Tavleen saying that she would like to pop in if it was OK. I replied that I was decent and had the kettle on. A few minutes later there was a knock on my door and both she and Balnoor came in, he carrying a cornflakes box and she had a bottle of milk. I gave them both a hug and ushered them into the kitchen where we sat down and had a shared breakfast.

Tavleen thanked me for introducing them last night and giving them the chance to get to know each other on the dancefloor. Balnoor said that he had now truly met the girl of his dreams and I smiled as Tavleen kissed him. He then looked around the room and said “Nice place you have now. I moved out of the family home and into your old room. I can see why you wanted to get out of it now; it is like a box.” I said that it had not seemed that way for me but I was now happy that I have a window I could actually look out of and see the world.

He told me that the old band was about to split, no-one could get on with the new dholak player and the promoter was trying to get them all to look like fierce warriors and I had to laugh at that because the four of them were more like rotund teddy bears than warriors. He said that their playing had gone bad and at least two of the band members were actively considering moving away. It was sad to hear and I asked him what he was doing now. He said that he was now working at the local Hi-Jet store and was in the line to be under-manager.

That made me smile and Tavleen hoot. When he asked why we told him that we had lived with Guptar Hidjeet for two weeks or more as it was his daughters’ wedding that led to me looking like I am now. That led to the story being told, much to his amazement and delight. Tavleen then had to tell him that I had Gaurav acting like a puppy dog at my heels and that she could hear wedding chimes in the distance. He looked at me and said that this was something he couldn’t wait to see.

My phone rang and I excused myself to answer it. It was Birgitta and she wanted to know if I could be available for a lunch-time barbeque that the council were putting on for the donors of the goods from Thursday night, as a thank you for a record amount that had been collected. I asked her to wait a moment and asked the other two if they had anything to do today and, when they shook their heads, I asked Birgitta if it was all right if Tavleen and her partner come along as well. She said it was all right and asked if I needed picking up and when I said that we had transport she told me where to be at midday. I hung up and said to Balnoor “Well, old friend, it seems that you are going to share lunch with some folks that will be advantageous to your career today. I hope you have a decent outfit to wear for a civic barbeque in your wardrobe as today you will join with the high fliers.”

Tavleen went back to her room to get ready and Balnoor sat with me and we talked about old times for a while. I told him that very few people knew of my history and that he should speak of me as she or her, rather than he or him, if asked about my time before leaving the old block. He promised to keep it all to himself and then said “You know, some of the guys thought you were a fag in the old days. I suppose that if you like boys it is better when you are a girl, especially one who looks as good as you.” I went over and gave him a kiss on the cheek and then told him to stay there while I went and got changed.

He was sitting, with Tavleen, and looking out of the window when I came back in one of my long day dresses with knee-highs and the low heels. I had my chunni, as did Tavleen, but hers matched her jungle print long dress. I said that she looked really good and Balnoor said “That’s what I said.” He drove us to the old tower block and we waited in the car while he went in to change. Tavleen said “I know that my night with you was good but last night was a different thing altogether. He was manly but polite, forceful but pleasing and the only odd thing was that his beard was scratchy. I have told him to start using a good shampoo and conditioner on it and he said he would.” I said that I was happy for her and that they made a good looking couple.

When he came out he had his best turban and jacket with all of the five ‘k’s’ about his person, as befits a good man. He drove us to the place where the barbeque was being held and, when we got there, was directed where to park by an attendant. We got out and walked towards the crowd and were immediately spotted by Guptar who came over to give us two girls a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tavleen said “Mr Hidjeet, I would like you to meet my partner, Balnoor Singh” and they shook hands. Guptar said “call me Guptar, please. Now, I have seen that name only recently. I think it was in the weekly reports from the stores and you were being proposed as a future under manager, am I right?”

Balnoor gulped and then said “Yes, sir, I do work at one of your stores. It is a real honour to meet you sir, you are a guiding light to all of us in the community.” Guptar laughed and said “There, you see, girls, here is a man with respect, not like the attitude of some I know.” Just then Gaurav saw us and came over to greet us with a hug for Tavleen and a hug and a kiss for me. Guptar said “Gaurav, this young man is the Balnoor Singh that we spoke about yesterday when we looked at the reports. We don’t have to ask him to come and see us as here he is in the flesh.” Gaurav shook Balnoors’ hand and started to talk to him about store business. Guptar led the two of us away, saying “Typical of him, the store comes before good manners. Let me take you to meet some more of the good people here today.”

We mingled with the local dignitaries and businessmen. Aganee asked Tavleen who the man was who we came with and she told her that he was an old friend of mine and her new partner. Aganee looked at me and said “Old friend?” I told her that I have known Balnoor for a long time and played in the same band with him up to a month or so ago. I did tell her that both he and Tavleen knew of my past and were good with it. Tavleen asked me what he played and I told her it was lute and violin, like Husnia. “Is he good?” she asked, and I said that he was a better player of the violin and had the ability to make it sing if given his head.

We ate and chatted, chatted and ate, and finally Gaurav brought Balnoor back to join us. Balnoor was looking decidedly as if he had been hit on the head and didn’t know what day it was. Gaurav told Guptar that he had been having a long talk with Balnoor and that he was so impressed with his thoughts about the business he wanted Balnoor to join him at the big store as a department manager. Guptar looked at Balnoor and asked if he was happy and when Balnoor stammered “Very happy, sir, it is a dream come true” he was told that his old store manager will be told to look for another under manager as Balnoor was to report to Gaurav on Monday morning. They went off to chat with other shop owners and it left Balnoor standing there with sweat on his brow and a glazed look in his eyes.

Tavleen went to give him a hug and a kiss and congratulate him on his new job and he held her close and they kissed as lovers do. He then turned to me and said “Friday I was just a wandering soul with a lowly job. Saturday I met my true love who I cherish as the goddess she is. Today I have been given the job of my dreams. Surely this must be a dream itself.” We gave him a pinch on each arm and told him that he was living in the real world and it was a world where good things happen if you are open to them.

Just then Janet came over to speak to us and we introduced Balnoor with Tavleen adding “and I have been told he plays a mean violin. It might be something to think about for the future now we are no longer the ‘Indian Girls’.”

Marianne G 2021