6.2 Club 33

In the second half of 1976, the island of Thora recessed in a power struggle as the heads of the societal clubs got involved in conspiracies and blame on all sides. It always happened. The principal island chief remained in power for a long time and he belonged to the Sun Ward with fewer people. This, of course, picked by the political elite in the central government in the capital of Malé.

Word got out that one of the heads of Moonlight Club had been lobbying with the atoll minister to replace the katib – the island chief. He was using funds from his club secretly when other members discovered it and led into an internal squabble. Then it was rumoured around the island and soon Sunlight Club entered in conflict.

As it occurred, this Moonlight Club nominee was called to Malé or invited by the atoll minister. Apparently, a power swop could take place and the larger community seize authority and thaw what was left for Sunlight Club. This anxiety roaming in the island was clear knowledge to the minister who was versed through his underground networks. And the Letter of Appointment did not arrive. The minister let this anxiety prevail in the island for some time.

During this time, heads of the two societal clubs tried to resolve this matter. Moonlight heads demanded more access into government facilities and a power grab. For instance, there wasn’t a single staffer from the Moon Ward employed in the island office.

Therefore, it was agreed, more jobs created and budgeted for the coming year. And the atoll minister was happy with it. Additionally, talks ended in agreement that Moonlight Club maintain control of the fuel yard and the dispensary.

Eventually, several girls joined the island office. Gulish was one of them. Ashwar was appointed as a peon. Multi-Ibre oversaw to the fuel stock and kept the keys.

With these changes, the island chief felt limited and intimidated that he could not even operate the radio without someone eavesdropping on him.

It was in November that Ashwar commenced his job at the office, meanwhile, he was not entitled to get a salary for two months. However, he succeeded in getting closer to Gulish and a wedding seemed to dawn.

Just then, katib heard the radio calling and ran to take the call but the guy in a yellow suit already picked the microphone and began to respond.

 

Yunus prepared his boat for a cadjan expedition to the north. One big island in Rasdu Atoll was recently evicted to build a resort and the inhabitants relocated in Rasdu Island. Yunus obtained a contract from the resort developers and his task was to supply a boatload of palm leaf mats used for thatching and woven by the islanders in surplus in the Malos Madol atolls.

But Yunus was faced with a problem; Rasdu did not have a drop of diesel. However, it was clear to all that Thora lying 20 kilometres away would maintain a stock and he could buy from there on the way. His next stop in Eydafushi; another capital island where all supplies made available.

Yunus and his crew arrived in Thora. Picked two jerry cans and hurried to the fuel yard. There was nobody there who could sell diesel. Nobody knew anything. For a moment they felt like they did not know this island at all. Then somebody hinted that diesel would be issued from the island office.

“Oh my! How did that happen?” uttered Yunus.

They crossed the beach road to Vedun Point and entered the island office. A crowd of girls chattered like a classroom in the island office and nobody heard or paid an attention to them.

“Anybody here who can issue diesel!” he tapped on a table top.

A girl replied, “All gone out.”

“We cannot wait.”

“Where’s the peon?” she gesticulated, “See if he’s out there!”

Yunus and his crew stepped out and looked for the peon. There appeared a guy from the far side of Sirat Magu in leisure walk, holding a folder under his left arm. A tall stodgy guy in a complete yellow outfit; tie, trousers and jacket, wearing mirrored sunglasses. Yunus stared at this guy in disbelief. A guy who belonged to his own party at a time they did not know about a Democratic System.

“Who are you?” he asked reaching them.

“We stopped to buy diesel,” replied Yunus.

“Is katib not in?”

“Didn’t see.”

“He has to issue a slip.”

“Girls didn’t say.”

“Come with me!”

“Yes mister!” and he followed.

When he entered the office, the whole place fell silent. “Call the katib, people here to buy diesel!” uttered the yellow coat.

At once a door opened and the island chief came out, “Boys! What do you want?”

Yunus answered since the chief referred to him, “We want to buy diesel.”

“Come in! Come in!”

Yunus and his crew entered the inner office. The chief sat down beside his desk, ran his hands flipping the files and asked, “How much do you want?”

“Forty litres,” replied Yunus.

“Forty litres!” he scratched his crown, “We don’t sell in litres. Under new reforms, we sell drums.”

“Drums!” cried Yunus, “We can’t buy one single barrel. We don’t have money. Besides, we can’t leave this island without fuel.”

“Ehen!” growled the katib, “We’re running a tight ship here. Well, under the circumstance, I can allow that. What is your name and address?”

“Name and address!” uttered Yunus, “We’re just seafarers who stopped for fuel. We don’t have a name or an address. I am called Yunus.”

“Alright! Alright!” he scribbled, “Forty litres. Pay this to me and take this slip.”

Yunus paid the money and the chief handed him a slip, “Find the peon and get the fuel yard guy. You won’t miss this peon. He wears a yellow outfit, tie and mirrored glasses.”

“That guy!” muttered Yunus.

They came out and asked the girls for the peon.

“Gul!” cried a clerk, “Here is someone looking for the peon!”

A girl appeared from another room. She wore a high waist, purple bell-bottoms and a pink crop top, long hair that reached below her bottom and a puffy cameltoe. “This way!” she directed.

Out on Sirat Magu, she cried aloud, “Parp! Parp!” like a traffic horn for he wore glasses, “Ashwar! Ashwar!” He was not around so she said, “Follow me!” She took the crew to the centre of the village and asked around, “Did you see Multi-Ibre?”

An old woman responded, “I saw him go into the mosque.”

Gulish ran towards the mosque, tossed her footwear here and there on top of the steps and entered.

It shocked the boat crew – unusual habits. Often, women never entered the mosques. They never prayed in the mosques. Their customs seemed to change a lot here.

There were few prayers in the mosque and some just dozing. Gulish reached a worshipper in prostration and went down on her knees beside him, her hair fell on the carpet. She whispered.

The worshipper jumped up like a rubber bullet from mid pray. He was out of the mosque and negotiating with the crew before the clerk could come out and put on her footwear.

Multi-Ibre steered them to the fuel yard jiggling the keys. Yunus and his crew had to keep up pace behind him. He walked like a robot. The office girl ran pass them towards the island office.

 

Bandiya was drained during the tourist season. Many contracts dropped due to tension in the island. The girls just lazed. Male Dominance always – but when men took matters this far, it hurt the economy of the island.

Gulish and Ashwar got married in January. She cut her hair to shoulder length following this wedding. It showed how removed the girls felt for dance.