Pamela Sinha Mathur's Blog, page 5

Pangs of Separation

The constant flurry of visitors did nothing to assuage little Tanu‟s feelings. No one had any time to spare for the forlorn ten-year old and she felt as if the world had forsaken her. She had tried to catch Mummy‟s attention once by tugging on her dress but had been waved off with an impatient “Tanu, please go out of the kitchen. I am too busy to look after you and you might hurt yourself somehow. Go play with your dolls or something.”

Thus rejected by the most important person in her life, she had returned, disheartened, to her cubbyhole in the corner of the den. Cut off from view by the bookcase, this small alcove had long been claimed by this youngest member of the Mathur family, primarily because she was the only one small enough to fit through the narrow opening. Today it seemed the perfect place for wallowing in her misery. “All because of Sissy”, thought the abandoned child angrily, “why doesn‟t she go away right now?” The object of her anger, Tanu‟s older sister Nisha, was currently on the phone, chatting with her boyfriend and finishing the remnants of her packing. Sissy was off to the US for studies and all the chaos in the house was centered on her. “The first in the family to study abroad”, relatives gushed proudly. “My firstborn leaving me”, lamented the mother silently. And in the midst of all this a little girl was forgotten.

Tanu did not know when she fell asleep in her little hidey-hole and was awakened by her mother who finally came looking for her. “Hurry up Tanu”, she chided her younger daughter, “it‟s time to go to the airport to see-off Sissy. We will see the big planes, won‟t you like that? Get dressed quickly; I have laid out your dress on the bed.” Tanu hopefully extended her hand to grasp her Mummy‟s fingers and for one glorious second Mummy was about to respond when Sissy called out to her. And in a blinking of an eye, Mummy was gone, leaving Tanu alone again.

It was with a heavy heart that the little child got dressed and seated herself in a dark corner of the car that was to carry them to the airport. With sorrowful eyes she watched as Sissy was embraced by their many aunts and uncles. Tears were running down their faces at the impending separation. Sissy’s bags were already stuffed with numerous small going away gifts but there was not even a single chocolate for Tanu. “If I go away now, no one will miss me, not even Mummy. Nobody loves me anymore. I don‟t like Sissy and I am glad she is going away” she decided disconsolately. Till a month back she had been the apple of everyone‟s eyes and now she had been discarded like an old toy.

The tearful farewells were cut short by Papa who was worrying about reaching late and off they went to the airport. After reaching, Papa loaded Sissy’s bags onto the trolley while Mummy held Sissy and cried. Papa‟s eyes were also wet as he kissed Sissy‟s forehead and asked her to take care. And then Sissy turned to Tanu, holding out her hands. Sissy was crying? All her anger melted away as she ran into her elder sister‟s arms, bawling her eyes out. As Sissy kissed all of them tearfully and entered the terminal, turning and waving continuously, Tanu felt Mummy’s arms creep around her. And they both sobbed as they watched Sissy go far away from them.

The Lover

He wandered on his own, a lonely, solitary being,

Tears brimming in downcast eyes, open yet unseeing.

Deep within, his shattered heart still thudded on,

Crying out for his lost love, from dusk to dawn.

In the glowing moon he saw his beloved’s face,

The nightingale seemed to sing only her praise,

The cool breeze teased him in her lighthearted way,

The stars shone like her eyes, sparkling and gay.

She had been his inspiration, his reason to live,

Death snatched her away, leaving him to silently grieve,

A tiny cold body had been laid to rest next to her,

A young mother and her firstborn, eternally together.

Compassion for the bereaved husband was felt by everyone,

One and all came to mourn the widower’s wife and son.

But the girl herself was mourned only by this childhood lover

With unrequited love concealed within his heart forever.

Dubai – A Travelogue

My brother’s XII Board Exams got over mid March 2010 and the entire family was in dire need of a break. Dinner time discussions threw up a host of suggestions and finally a 4 day trip to Dubai was hastily chalked out. We left for Dubai on a Saturday evening to reach there around nightfall. Next morning, after a good night’s sleep, we officially started our sightseeing. The weather was just right as the oppressive summer temperatures had not yet kicked in.

The first thing that struck us was the sparkling cleanliness of the place. Littering attracts a hefty fine in Dubai and the result of its strict enforcement was evident in the litter free roads and public places. Dubai is truly the land of the wealthy as is evinced by the imposing infrastructure and towering skyline. Opulence is suggested not by loudness but by grandeur. It is an aesthetic display though, with shrubs of vivid colors lining the pavements, egg-shaped metro stations to elicit admiration and of course mosques, each one an architectural wonder.

Ignoring the well-intentioned suggestions given to us by the concierge to visit the Dubai Museum, we headed out to the Dubai Mall, the largest mall of the world. With 1200+ shops, it would have taken days to explore the entire mall; we only got a few hours. There is a huge aquarium spanning across three floors including an underwater viewing tunnel where you can see more than 33000 marine animals, including menacing looking sharks, swimming above you. There is also a viewing area where you can stand on a see-through floor and see the aquatic denizens swimming under your feet.

The same evening we went on the famous Desert Safari which started with around fifteen minutes of dune-bashing. On paper it is merely driving up and down the sand dunes in the desert in a land cruiser but reality begs to differ. As the driver happily guided his vehicle in all sorts of unimaginable twists and turns, that too with only one hand, we held on for dear life. In those fifteen minutes the vehicle was oriented in all directions except upright and when it slanted down sideways a huge dune, its wheels kicking up a veritable sandstorm, it felt as if we would topple over in an instant. But our shrieks and exclamations could provoke only a complacent grin from the driver and with good reason too; his expertise and control came from of years of experience. The view of the desert was absolutely stunning, miles of desolation stretching out in a beautiful yet cruel landscape. The safari also included dinner with succulent kebabs at a camp in the middle of the desert followed by a touch of the exotic provided by a belly dancer. All in all a delightful experience once the adrenaline from the dune bashing ebbed.

The following day we went to the Carrefour. This departmental store offers fabulous discounts and attractive deals; little wonder people soak in the ambience of the luxurious malls and then head over here for their purchases. A visit to a Gold Souk was not to be missed either. Basically an entire market dedicated to gold, it had all the gold items displayed like vegetables in an ordinary market. Finally Monday evening was spent in an hour-long leisurely dhow (Arabic sailing vessel) cruise.

We spent Tuesday, the last day of our trip, in visiting the beach, taking pictures of the Burj Dubai, where Andre Agassi and Roger Federer had played a promotional friendly match on the helipad and rambling in yet another mall. A buffet lunch at an Arabic restaurant was the icing on the cake. Food in Dubai was simply sumptuous with kebabs and desserts deserving a special mention. I would definitely recommend trying out Umm Ali, a bread pudding which is a delicacy in Dubai.

Finally, fed-up and fulfilled, in an awesome sense, we made our way back to good old Mumbai, but not before picking up chocolates, perfumes and other stuff at the airport duty-free stores. After all, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise and duty-free haven.

Wrong Number

Disclaimer: All characters and artefacts belonging to the world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling and I claim no ownership of these. This was written in response to a challenge to describe what might happen if you meet your favorite fictional character in real life

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The incessant rain was beginning to get on my nerves. This weekend had been planned as a relaxing getaway from the drudgery of daily life. My husband and I had it all chalked out – long walks through the lush countryside, enjoying the local food over a few drinks at the village inn and some cozy moments in front of a blazing fire in this quaint little house we had rented. What we had not bargained for was the unseasonal storms. It had come up all of a sudden the evening we had arrived and since then had imprisoned us within the confines of the house. While we did get the chance to catch up on a lot of intimate moments, we still yearned to go out exploring at least once.

It was the last day of our weekend and I had decided to cook a nice meal for my hubby. Soon we were tucking in into a sumptuous meal of Szechuan chicken and fried rice, chatting on frivolous topics. All of a sudden I became aware of a rushing sort of sound. My husband noticed it at the same time and we both looked towards the fireplace from where it seemed to be originating. Before our astonished eyes, the golden, dancing flames suddenly turned bright green and within seconds an obscure shape appeared in the fire, spinning madly like a top. The shape got larger and larger and suddenly a man fell out of the fireplace, landing on his fours on the hearth-rug, coughing loudly. Struggling to control himself, he straightened up, giving us the chance to take in his black hair sticking up untidily at the back of his head, his round glasses and a lighting bolt scar on his forehead. He gave us a shamefaced smile and spoke the words I would have never expected to hear.

“Hello I am Harry Potter.”

He was very cute, much cuter than Daniel Radcliffe who plays him in the movies. He seemed to realize instantly that he had committed some sort of social faux pas by dropping into our house without any warning and hastened to apologize.

“Sorry for the intrusion. I was on my way to visit my friends, the Weasleys, and entered your fireplace by mistake. Must have said the wrong name; I had meant to go to villa no. 13. Travelling by Floo powder is not so easy, don’t you think?”

I recovered my power of speech with some difficulty.

“Ohh wow, no problem. You ended up at villa no. 30 actually. But its great to meet you. Surreal, you know. I mean, its you, Harry Potter, actually in flesh and blood. God, I am a terrible hostess. Please forgive me. What would you like, some tea or coffee or a cool drink? My God, it’s really, really you! And the Weasleys live here too? I just can’t believe it. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!”

My husband’s discreet, soft pinch made me realize I was blabbering. I clamped up immediately. Harry, meanwhile was surveying our thunderstruck faces with considerable puzzlement.

“Why are you so shocked to see me in flesh and blood? I mean you seem to know me, right?”

“Actually Mr. Potter”, began my husband -

“Please call me Harry.”

(He was so courteous!)

“Harry. Actually we have read about you in books but you know, we thought you were just a fictional character. I don’t mean to offend you, really, I mean we are Muggles, aren’t we? Not exactly aware of your world and all? My wife here is a huge fan of yours though, simply adores you.”

My husband gave a self-deprecating sort of laugh which died away at the look bewilderment, mixed with amusement, on Harry’s face. And then suddenly our unexpected visitor burst out laughing.

“Well as long as I have violated the Statute of Secrecy, let’s be friends. May I know who I have the honor of addressing?”

“I am Jim Parks and that’s Bertha” my husband replied, shaking Harry’s proffered hand.

“So Jim and Bertha, how would you like to join my family and me for dinner at my brother-in-law’s place? My wife Ginny is already there and I am supposed to be joining them soon. Ron and Hermione would love to have you folks there too. What do you think?”

My husband and I looked at each other for an instant and replied in unison.

“Can we go by Floo powder?!”

Langkawi – A Malaysian Paradise

The Wikipedia page for Langkawi tells you that Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, around 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. Out of these 99 islands only four are inhabited. The largest one is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi, barely an hour’s flight from the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur. It was to this island that we, my husband and I, were headed to on a bright sunny day in June 2012.

The words of praise we had read on Wikipedia could have hardly prepared us for the picturesque beauty of the place. Even the small airport seemed to have a soul of its own, a smiling concierge welcoming us to warm golden beaches that held promises of relaxation and romance. Instead of a fleet of airline jets, there were only two small aircrafts standing on the tarmac when we arrived. The runway was bordered by green cushioned hills framed by a never-ending stretch of light blue sky, dotted with snowy white clouds. There was no one to hurry us across to the terminal; instead we could take our time in looking around and posing for pictures against the picture perfect background. The inside of the terminal also projected an aura of cheerfulness and even as we collected our luggage we could sense it would be a great trip.

That Langkawi is first and foremost a tourist attraction was evident by the body language of the locals. From the friendly lady who helped us to get a temporary prepaid connection to the smiling tour representative who met us at the gate, everyone gave us a warm welcome. The ride to the hotel was a scenic one and when we reached the Berjaya Resort and Spa it seemed we had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Spanning over a vast expanse, the resort boasts of winding pathways through lush greenery, delightful little wooden chalets on stilts instead of regular rooms and a private beach with emerald-green water lapping at its edges. Indeed the place is so sprawling that electrical carts are available for guests to move to and fro from their chalets. But one jarring point was the lax room service. That the tourist season was at a low at the time we visited was probably the reason for it but it was inconvenient all the same.

Within walking distance of the resort, there is a theme village, locally renowned as Oriental Village, which offers tourist attractions such as a cable car ride, animal enclosures, food joints offering local recipes and the mandatory souvenir shops. The buildings are painted with vibrant hues of yellow and orange and the overall effect is of a snug little hamlet enclosed by towering mountains. The cable car ride was an unforgettable experience. The ride is conducted in two legs, covering two viewing points. At the first point there is a narrow pathway descending a little way down to the Sky Bridge. Walking across this suspension bridge was quite a thrill as it swayed gently in the chilly winds. The view from there was spectacular, looking over to the distant mountains and the vast expanse of the sea beneath. The setting sun conjured up brilliant hues on the rippling waters and a sense of tranquility came upon us as we stood dumbstruck, overwhelmed by Nature’s beauty. Like Jack and Rose in Titanic, we felt like ‘kings of the world’ and got a photo taken of the two of us in that famous pose as well.

Our itinerary included a half day city tour including visiting an Arts and Craft centre for Batik art, an underwater aquatic museum and the Eagle Square. At the Batik Art centre one can learn how the Batik paintings are created and can also browse through the mind-boggling collection of vibrant sketches of flora and fauna on cotton and silk fabrics, available for sale in the showroom. So attractive are these that one can hardly walk out empty-handed and we proved to be no exceptions. The Aquatic museum is a delight with its enormous aquarium housing different forms of marine life, from sharks, fishes and sting rays swimming overhead to penguins, seals and various reptilian species. Another interesting photography spot is the Eagle Square, which embodies the guardian spirit of Langkawi in the form of a huge eagle statue. In fact the name Langkawi, which translates to reddish-brown eagle in colloquial Malay, is derived from this majestic bird.

Another additional tour that we had opted for was the Mangrove tour. For a private tour for two, the charges are quite high but as part of a group it comes down considerably. For a party of 4 – 8 people however, the private tour turns out to be cheaper. The tour is essentially a cruise through the mangroves with highlights such as limestone caves housing colonies of bats, eagle feeding and a fish farm where the tourists can touch and feed different species of fishes. One type of fish that we saw, called the Archer fish, had a remarkable ability of spitting over a considerable distance in order to procure food. But the best part was cruising in the open sea, the wind in your face and the vast expanse of water ahead. One can be excused for imagining himself to be the master of some mighty vessel set sail in search of new lands or great riches. However, if you are Indian your fantasies are all the more likely to be interrupted by your guide enthusiastically pointing out the island where the title song of the blockbuster Hindi film Kaho Naa … Pyaar Hai had been filmed.

To visit Langkawi and not to enjoy a day or two at the beach would be an unforgivable sin. Walking on the warm sand barefoot, dodging a tiny crab or two scuttling by, indulging in some water sports, frolicking in the sparkling waters or simply lounging on a beach-chair, each moment was sheer bliss. Forgotten were the stressful demands of daily life. A nighttime walk with my husband on the private beach of the resort, holding hands, the gently undulating waves lapping at our feet, remains to this date a moment I will cherish forever. The feeble glow of lights, emanating from the nearby buildings served to enhance the romantic atmosphere. A considerable amount of concern was however caused by the jellyfish warnings posted on the beachfront. We got quite a scare when something slimy washed up with a wave. As the water receded it turned out to be a small snake, apparently non-poisonous but nevertheless not an acquaintance we cared to encourage further.

All in all it was a wonderful experience and as our visit came to an end, we found ourselves wishing that we didn’t have to continue onwards to Kuala Lumpur. The natural beauty of Langkawi and the idyllic time we spent left us craving for more. We reluctantly bid adieu to the island along with the promise that we will be back for another visit soon. And we have every intention of keeping our date with this paradise.

Ala Barfi!

With people raving about Ranbir Kapoor’s latest movie -Barfi!, it was inevitable that we succumb to the desire of watching it on the big screen. So hubby and I booked our tickets at a nearby multiplex (at an exorbitant rate as usual) and reached there at the designated time. The theatre hall was pretty much packed – no surprises there. The film started on a pleasant note – a little ditty proclaiming the start of the movie and highlighting the dos and don’ts for the patrons (sample this: ‘apne mobile aur bacche off rakhiye’) The name of the film flashed onto the screen and instantly viewers were transported to the Calcutta of 1978 where a hilarious Chaplin-esque chase ensued, replete with a catchy background score.

As the film progressed we found ourselves drawn into the madcap world of the protagonist Barfi – Ranbir Kapoor in yet another mesmerizing avatar. A deaf and mute ‘hero’ was, till date, probably unthinkable but the actor essayed the role with such élan that the viewer actually forgot about his disability. Indeed the best part of the movie was that it did not seek sympathy from the viewer by playing the disability card. For an actor, to emote only through body language, gestures and facial expressions can be no easy task and Ranbir proved he is rightfully hailed as one of the finest actors of his generation. One does not miss the dialogues – in fact at places where dialogues are used to provide a narrative, the film actually loses some of its sheen. Probably that is why I could not completely relate to the character played by one of the female protagonists – Ileana D’Cruz. She was the narrator and Barfi’s first love interest. Her character remained out of sync with an otherwise excellent film and maybe part of it was because her love for Barfi! was never allowed to develop on-screen. At the end of it I was left wondering if she actually was in love with Barfi or did she just love Barfi because with him she had an identity of her own. Contrasting with the other love story – that of Barfi and an autistic girl, called Jhilmil played by Priyanka Chopra – this one paled into insignificance in a way I don’t think it was meant to.

And Priyanka Chopra! I never liked her work but in this movie she left me awe-struck. Not going into the debate of whether autism was portrayed accurately or not, I have to say Priyanka Chopra gave the performance of a lifetime. It was the interaction between Barfi and Jhilmil that was enthralling in its innocence – an interaction sans any dialogue and bereft of any physical avowals of love. At some points the parallel plot lines seemed superfluous – I wish the director Anurag Basu had hit upon a better way to move the story ahead. However the movie belongs to Barfi and Jhilmil and that said, Mr. Basu, please take a bow for bringing to us such a beautiful love story. I completely forgive you for wasting my hard earned money on a debacle called Kites!

Marine Drive: A Paradise Amidst Chaos

Author’s note: Marine Drive in Mumbai figures prominently in my debut novel “Of Love & Lovers”. This is an old write-up I had written about this place which is also one of my favourites.

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Hectic schedules of day to day life sap more than just our energy; they slowly rob us of the capability to appreciate the world around us. Those rare days which provide some stolen moments to reclaim our lives, I like to head down to Marine Drive in my hometown of Mumbai, India.

A 3 km long boulevard, it boasts of a sea facing promenade, lined by palm trees and bordered by a concrete wall, broad enough for sitting or strolling in pairs. The wall gives way to the Arabian Sea, protected from her occasional bursts of violence by thousands of huge Y-shaped stones or ‘wave-breakers’. During the monsoons, it is not surprising to get drenched by the raging waters dashing against these rocks and splashing across the six lane road; indeed many hundreds flock here to enjoy this very thing. At the far end of the promenade, where stone steps make way to the coastline, these rocks make a great place to sit and hang out with friends when the waters are calm.

Whether you prefer to sit at one place or choose to take a leisurely stroll, it is an experience to cherish. Indeed at sunset this place offers a glorious haven for couples. The rays of the departing sun dancing on the sparkling water, the evening sky bathed in crimson hues providing the backdrop to silhouettes of the last of the birds returning to their cozy nests and the cool breeze against your face, what better place to steal a few moments of intimacy with your beloved. In the ensuing darkness the city skyline lights up forming the “Queen’s Necklace” with the street lights resembling a glittering string of pearls. To satisfy your taste buds you have a wide choice ranging from the roadside vendors selling savory snacks to some of the well known and even exclusive ice cream parlors, pizzerias, restaurants and juice centers, lined up across the road.

Walking further northwards, you come to the end of the promenade that is the famous Chowpatty Beach. Late evenings, especially on weekends, this place is packed with people out to enjoy some quality bonding time with their families. Here the affluent couple, who just got down from their Honda Civic, can be found rubbing shoulders with the daily wage earner, bringing his wife and kids on a much anticipated outing. As excited chatter mingle with the voices of vendors trying to attract kids towards their multicolored balloons and pipes blowing bubbles, as the aroma of spicy chaat (Indian snack) permeates the air, you feel the very pulse of vibrantly alive Mumbai. And at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, when you see this road packed with families, kids and elders in tow, enjoying the city lights and sipping on kiwi or orange juice without a worry in mind, you know you are in the city of dreams where you may earn a pittance but still live like a king, larger than life.

Of Love & Lovers – Final Cover Page

Cover for my upcoming novel

First Look: Of Love and Lovers

For a long time I have dreamed of this day and now it is on the verge of finally arriving. Surreal as it seems, it is my debut novel – “Of Love and Lovers” that is waiting in the wings in eager anticipation of the day it will finally come into the limelight.

Love stories always have an undeniable attraction for readers. However my book is not just a love story – it is a story about love. A love story usually deals with the relationship between two people. “Of Love and Lovers”, however, speaks of how the feeling of love can impact the dynamics of different relationships. The protagonists of my story try to deal with such changing dynamics as their respective love stories run their course. Set against the backdrop of the financial hub of India – Mumbai – along with a sneak peek at Toronto, this novel speaks of relationships forged irrespective of race, caste or religion and provides an insight into the the young, cosmopolitan India.

In today’s fast paced world, young men and women, more often than not, move away from their homes and their cities for jobs or studies. They are thrown in with others from diverse backgrounds and affiliations. Bonds of friendship and camaderie are formed and it is only natural for some of these bonds to develop into romance. Good or bad, this is a reality of our times and this is where “Of Love and Lovers” will strike a chord. This book is inspired by those thousands of people who have found love in such circumstances and have struggled to keep the flame burning. It will be their voice like it has never been heard before.

“Of Love and Lovers” is coming very soon to your favorite bookstores. Please keep watching this space for more updates. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Infidelity

Complications always come hand in hand. First it had been the maid decamping, leaving behind a month’s salary and an empty jewellery box which had contained, among other valuables, Sia’s diamond engagement ring. Then the dog had died, leaving her twelve year old disconsolate. And to top everything, her husband was suspecting her of having an affair. Roy had not directly confronted her but she had recognized the signs; purposely remaining in the same room when she got a phone call, calling her up from work at odd hours of the day to check up on her whereabouts and many other things he had never done earlier in their fourteen years of marriage.

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Roy and Sia had got married when she was barely nineteen years old. It had been an arranged match, the coming together of two business families and a much needed merger of two companies. Sia had been doing a course in fashion designing and had wanted to be a model. But her ambitions had been crushed when she had become a mother soon after her graduation. Roy, six years her senior, had joined his father’s thriving business sometime before the wedding. Sia’s life revolved around kitty parties, shopping sprees, PTA meetings and parties. She was a regular on the socialite circuit and was often snapped by the paparazzi at high profile parties. Her husband usually attended these parties with her but their worlds were completely apart. Roy was more interested in business networking while Sia flirted with the celebrities and bitched about other society women. Bored with her marital life soon after the birth of their son, she had had a string of affairs, none of them long lasting. For these escapades, she had chosen her partners very carefully. Almost all were such who had a lot to lose if the affair ever became public, thus ensuring that her extramarital flings remained under wraps. She loved the privileges that being Roy’s wife granted her and wouldn’t have given it up for the world, not even after meeting her true soul mate.

Sia hadn’t known that love could make her, a thirty plus year old woman, feel like a foolish teenager. Three years had gone by since they had gotten together yet everyday it seemed as if love was blooming anew. The clandestine meets, hours spent in a darkened bedroom under the guise of going shopping with a girlfriend and the long phone calls made on a cell phone connection her husband had no idea about; these were just some of the things that made Sia look forward to each new day. Things had been smooth until one day she had gotten careless and Roy had overheard her talking to her lover on the landline. Fortunately he had not heard enough to confirm the story but he had grown vigilant after the episode.

“Sia” he had said one evening when they were at home, “why don’t you open a boutique? It will keep you busy and you will also be able to put your degree to good use. No, hear me out first.” He had put up his hand to silence the protests that were forming on her lips. “You know Nita, right? She is looking for a job and would prefer to work for a woman. She can help you with setting up business and be a wonderful assistant, maybe even a partner. Think about it.” Nita was Roy’s ex secretary who had left the firm after getting married to one of the executives. Well aware that Roy trusted Nita implicitly, Sia had realized this scheme was nothing more than a ploy to keep a watch on her. She had tried to convince her husband otherwise but had ultimately agreed to Roy’s so-called suggestion.

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“Ding” went the doorbell. It was Nita, coming for the ‘job interview’ as arranged by Roy. The new maid escorted the guest to the study and left. “Hey Sia”, Nita greeted her, smiling wide. “Hey, guess what Nita, you are hired. Won’t Roy be happy?” The two ladies laughed mischievously. The door slowly swung shut behind them as Sia pulled Nita into a tight embrace and the two lovers kissed each other passionately.