Unbearable silence

      —No, mom. I do not want anything.       Manisha frowned as she sat down in a chair.       —You don’t want it, then you don’t want it. How can I help you?       —I want Amala to come. “Pouting her lips, she stared at Priyanka.       — Amala?! My bode! You just arrived from them!       —I can’t do it anymore! — Manisha waved her hand. — I’m tired of sitting here.       —You’re tired there, and here too. What will I tell Mrs. Khan?       —Say what you want. I’ll run away from home.       Manisha stuck her tongue out at her       —Oh, Lord!       Sana came in with a glass.       —Madam, your milk.       —Thank you, Sana. — Manisha took the treat from her, thanking her in English. — I didn’t receive a letter from Mohan?       —No, madam.       She chuckled displeasedly.       — Let it fail.       —You can’t say that, Manisha. — Priyanka cut her off, wincing.       —Oh, God! — Manisha rolled her eyes, giving her the glass, — I went. I’ll be back in the evening.       She took the bag, slamming the door. Sana and Priyanka got over it.       — She doesn’t belong here. — The woman complained. — After France and Switzerland there is nothing to do here.       - It’s okay, madam, she’ll get used to it. — Sana took the glass, leaving for the kitchen. Priyanka shook her head.       Manisha walked along the sunny streets, swinging her bag. The company was already waiting for her in the center.       —Georgie, Laura,” She hugged them and kissed them, “Well, shall we go?”       — Shyam is flying in from Lisbon today. It would be nice to meet him.       Manisha was not particularly happy about this news, sighing, she agreed. Taking a taxi, the friends headed to the airport.       There Manisha looked at all the passers-by, looking for someone special. She did not hesitate to look at other people’s eyes, even if they looked back at her.       —He arrives in half an hour. — George glanced at his wristwatch.       —The flight must be delayed.       Because of her small stature, Manisha stood on her tiptoes, clutching her glasses in her hands. Until her gaze caught on a familiar silhouette. Unexpectedly for her friends, she waved to the girl from the other end of the hall:       — Aliya!       Manisha jumped up and down, trying in every possible way to get noticed. Aliya turned her head. Recognizing Manisha, she waved back.       —Do you know her? — George asked.       — Yes, this is my friend! — Manisha smiled at all thirty-two. Without waiting for the one whom Aliya had been calling for so long, she nevertheless went to meet Manisha, elegantly pulling her suitcase behind her. Manisha couldn’t bear it anymore and ran towards her holding her sari. Incongruously, like a small child, with her arms spread wide, she carefully hugged Aoiya.       — Hello!       — Hello, what are you doing here? — Smiling, pulling off her glasses, she examined Manisha, “I haven’t seen you for so long.” Grew.       —Thank you. — Manisha twirled happily, I rejoice at any compliment she gives. — I’m staying with my mother. Would you like to move in with us?..       —I’m afraid it’s too late. Aunt Razia has already rented a house for us. Oh, my legs are about to fall off… — Aliya tiredly stretched her back.       Manisha nodded, trying not to advertise her disappointment.       —Why did you come?       — Yes, if only. Amala was transferred to Calcutta. We somehow managed to get away from grandma.       Manisha giggled.       —I recognize her. But you’re not very angry. She’s worried too.       —I’m trying. But I will never understand this overprotection. You can just go crazy with her paranoia!       —It’s okay, we’ll go crazy together. Where is Amala?       — Somewhere there. — Aliya waved in the direction from where she came. — Ambika also arrived. I don’t think Auntie will be delighted and accept all of us.       —She will jump with happiness when she sees you. — Manisha assured, stroking her shoulder in hope.       — Manisha! “Amala waved when she saw the girl. Manisha’s eyes lit up.       — Hello! “With all trepidation, she hugged Amala, and then Ambika, who had become much taller than her. Manisha looked her up and down in confusion, “You’ve grown so much that now I’m the smallest!”       The friends laughed.       —Where is Aunt Razia?..       — Deals with passports. — Amala waved.       “You didn’t introduce us to your friends,” Aliya waved at the group in which Manisha had previously stood.       —Oh, exactly. “She showed without much enthusiasm, “This is George, and this is Laura.” We studied at the same college.       —Very nice. — Aliya barely bowed.       — Mutually. “George leaned over a little, not showing any emotion.       —Are you waiting for someone here? We’ve distracted you. — Aliya was about to take her suitcases and leave, but then Manisha protested:       — No, no, no need! You are just in time, we are meeting a friend, no one bothers anyone.       - Manisha, — Laura turned, clearly embarrassed by such a meeting, — if you want, you can go. This is probably more important now.       Manisha didn’t think much, the decision was known to her, but she stared at Amala with curiosity, as if asking her for permission.       — I think the guys will be able to meet without me. In any case, call me later. “Manisha answered importantly, taking Amala’s arm. — See you George, Laura.       They said goodbye. Razia appeared in the distance, looking worriedly at the hooked girl Manisha, seeing her, smiled warmly:       — Hello, Aunt Razia.       —Good evening, Manisha. “She was embarrassed, but Manisha could not recognize the reason.       —How did you get there?       - Everything is fine, honey, thank you.       —Would you like to stay at our house? Mom and Dad will be very glad to see you.       —No, thank you, dear, we have already rented a house.       - M… Have you been planning to come for a long time?       —No, just yesterday Amala announced an urgent diplomatic mission. I had to break loose.       Manisha nodded, secretly looking at Amala. Something didn’t fit in her head.       - Well, okay, I guess we’ll go…       — No, no! I’ll get you a car and take you to your house. Where is he, by the way?       - Near the coast… But if you’re in a hurry, baby, we’ll get there ourselves!       —Don’t be afraid, you’re not bothering me at all. — Apparently, having an instinct for choosing a car, Manisha extended her hand: — Taxi!       The car arrived. From afar, so inconspicuous and compact for five people, it turned out to be very roomy and even made it possible to easily fold luggage. The taxi moved smoothly towards the ocean.

***

      An expensive car drove up to an area with green spaces and issued a demanding signal. A girl came out of a wooden house, her gait more reminiscent of a cat’s grace.       — The Tea Queen is coming! — Kamal’s satisfied voice came from the car. The girl smiled. “My husband provided it, now she’s happy.”       —Leave me alone. — She muttered, sitting down next to him, stretching her arms towards him, — Hello!       —Hello to you too, sister! Long time no see. — He pulled off his black glasses. “It’s time to work in my profession; there’s no point in hanging around in Assam.”       — Stop wailing, start.       Kamal shook his head, turning the ignition key.       — Another one is coming. Suddenly he wanted to leave Paris.       —I smelled something fried. — Sharmila muttered, adjusting her earring.       —Don’t talk. As soon as something happens, the whole world comes to Kolkata. How is your tea province? Works?       — Yes. They work tirelessly. I will give them time off for Navratri.       - Hubby will give you such a day off for this, I feel it.       — Ash is kind. He will understand everything.       —We’ll see. Will send you back to our house. That’s where you will be then.       Sharmila rolled her eyes, smiling.       —That’s why you don’t have a wife.       — So I don’t even have tea fields! Or are you the same?       They laughed.       —I liked that teacher from the college where you gave a lecture.       - But I didn’t like it! — He grimaced, — So marry her yourself.       —The husband won’t understand.       —Why? He’s kind!       Kamal laughed heartily. Sharmila closed her eyes, trying to hide her giggle.       —Better tell me how Karan is.       —Oh, he’s running. Idiot.       Sharmila shook her head.       —You love him very much.       —Let’s see how he behaves. It will be necessary, I won’t let you go home.       - Oh, you always say that. — Sharmila waved it off. “Then you’ll hand-feed.”       —It was a very long time ago!       — And now it will be the same.       —That’s what it is, you know! Expert in the child psyche.       —You all have a child’s psyche here. You have to get used to it.       - Oh, that’s why you found me a teacher?       — Of course. In good hands.       —When your nephews appear on your side, bring them all to me. My babysitting services are still working.       —I’m not sure.       —Why so? Look what kind of guy he raised!       —Remind me what you called him five minutes ago?       Kamal fell silent. Shrugged:       - Well… And then there are difficulties in education, what can you do?       —I see.       —You better think about how you will follow and investigate. The uncle disappeared, by the way. My colleague.       —Did you know him?       —No. — Kamal laughed. — But theoretically… We were doing the same thing. New guy. I couldn’t stand it and went on a spree. He is now lying in the arms of the goddess Kama, and here we are running around like crazy. Even an investigator from the tea province was pulled out!       Kamal looked at her eloquently. Sharmila chuckled, lowering her head.       —And you know where you need to lie first. — Kamal grimaced:       —We have already been sent a new diplomat. I don’t see any point in doing anything.       —Have you already sent it?       —Yes, we’ll meet tomorrow. The eloquent surname “Khan”. What does it mean?       — A man?       —Girl! Fuck you! Would I talk about a guy? We have plenty of them.       — Who knows, God. — Sharmila rolled her eyes. — Young?       —I don’t know. Maybe. And why do you need it? — Kamal looked at her suspiciously.       — Yes, I’m just asking. Experienced or not, I want to understand.       —They say she’s serious. Let’s see.       —It’s impossible to stay serious with you. Behave yourself, don’t tell your stupid jokes.       -Okay, mom, I’ll be a diligent boy, aunt won’t complain about me. “He smiled teasingly, Sharmila averted her eyes, trying not to laugh.       —I hope so.       —Behave yourself too, otherwise I’ll complain to Ash. He will be offended by you and divorce you.       —You’re just waiting for this. — Sharmila nodded, turning away.       —I’m waiting for all the factories to go to me. Listen, didn’t he re-register the will for you?       —No.       - Maybe we can force him? And then an accident…” he stuck out his tongue tragically, “and we are rich!”       Sharmila beat him with a bag while he was actively dodging.       —How can you say such things while the investigator is traveling with you! — She laughed, delivering crushing blows.       — The driver is not hit!       — I should have thought what to say, the driver! Move on.       The car headed straight to the Calcutta airport. With the addition of Satyen, the happy Kashmiri expat family headed home, preparing for the big day.