10.2 Strange Brew

On 14^th Friday, Adaran summoned the public to deliver his update on new developments. Savari Shakir entered the crowd and listened outside the magistrate’s premise. A good crowd gathered there. Habib was away in Huludu to meet Ali Takhan. Adaran stood on the steps and addressed his people.

“I have received orders from a permanent committee formed on 6^th November by the government in Malé to deal with an Addu situation. They’re demanding us to stop working for the English with immediate effect from today. I stand to defy these demands and not to give away our sources of income on which our lives depend on. We earn from sweated labour. A small benefit to our name. We raise our children and live the life. You hear!”

“Hear! Hear!” crowd echoed.

“There can stand no barrier in our way to stop us from good fortunes. We are Addu people and we cannot be intimidated by a committee and we will not throw our revenues away. We demand freedom!”

“We want freedom! We want freedom!”

Adaran continued, “Work continues at the base and Addu people are welcome to go and fulfil their jobs. We convey our warmest wishes to the Queen…our Queen…the Queen of England. Long Live the Queen!”

“Long Live the Queen! Long Live the Queen!”

And the sermon was over.

Adaran came forward towards Shakir and he called, “Shakir! What’s your purpose to hang around here?”

“I attended Friday prayer, sir,” replied Shakir.

“Good,” returned Adaran, “By the way, did you hear what I said? Now go and tell your people what you hear. Did not they send you to spy on us!”

“No sir,” he responded respectfully.

“Do you know what your father told me? He said that the English complain a lot and steal small things. And the Irish overlook problems and drink too big.”

Shakir stood dumbstruck.

“If you want to learn something new, it is going to happen in Maradu at your Atoll Office. Watch for it!” And he left.

Meanwhile at the base hospital, Marvin Edward wiggled a finger at Mariam Mala who sat beside the grey table. “Come here, baby! Sit here!” She sat on his lap. She had been turning him on that whole day but work kept him from seizing a better opportunity.

“What’s your idea, Marvin?”

“It’s my birthday. Will you have a beer with me?”

“No, thank you,” Mala wished, “Happy Birthday, my obnoxious surgeon!”

“You know, I like your roshi. It is huge. But first I must shave. And you will shave me without a dress.”

“Fine. And how about jiggy-jiggy!” she giggled.

“That’s what we have been doing whole day,” he said, “Do you know Mike is leaving!” He was a nurse. “You should join his farewell and my party. I invite you this evening.”

“Then I take two days off.”

“Two days off! Where are you going?”

“To see my mom and dad in Huludu.”

Mala unbuttoned her shirtdress down the placket and dropped it on the chair. She went to fetch his shaving kit. When she came back, he said as usual, “Take off the girdle.”

Mala, forgetfully, freed the girdle from her body and just like a flash…she vanished.

“Where did you go?” he looked around, “Deeni! Deeni!”

She realised she was invisible indeed. Her dress was on the chair. Her girdle left on the table. She wasn’t wearing her loafers. Any movement on them or to wind the girdle in several folds around her hips would send him scared out of wits.

Mala reappeared at the rear door wearing his shorts. “I got my period,” she fibbed, “I went to your room for wash.”

“You shocked me!” cried Marvin, “One moment I saw you standing there…next you were gone!”

“I am sorry about that.”

“Hey! You look great in them. Tonight, you will wear shorts and one of my shirts.”

“Fine,” she prepared to give a shave.

“There will be a crowd. If you are not drinking, what will you do?”

“I can dance.”

He nodded, “That’ll do. Remember, you stay with me. You are going as my staff.”

Later that night it rained. A good crowd flocked under the thatched shelters. A couple of officers celebrated birthdays and five leaving. They were dressed in casual clothes, long trousers and shirts. One of the guys carried a lizard on his shoulder. It jumped on Mala’s hair and she screamed. Lizards were plenty on these islands but natives tend not to touch.

Saturday morning, Mariam Mala left on a boat to Huludu. She met her father who was getting ready to go to Malé. She also met her son, though very briefly, who would turn nine in December. She returned on Monday.