A Fine Family: A Novel by Gurcharan Das Page B

of liberal views, and her visits to her girl friend did not arouse suspicion. Besides, it was the most natural thing for girl friends to spend their last days together before one of them got married and left. Moreover, the nightly singing amongst the girls was an established institution. Bauji hoped in his heart that Anees had other reasons as well. The daily arrival of the tonga, carrying a woman in a dark blue burkha, became the central focus of Bauji’s day. He changed his routine, and came home earlier from the Company Bagh so that he would be sure to greet her in the courtyard. With sensuous anticipation he would wait for the happiness which came wrapped under the dark folds. He would tremble every time she came. She would not take off the burkha until she went upstairs to Tara’s room. Thus he had to greet her without seeing her. He would look admiringly at the slim body inside the blue garment, and then anxiously at the veil, trying to pierce the concealed green Kashmiri eyes. She would linger slightly longer than was customary in the circumstances and then run upstairs to meet Tara. But she would leave the characteristic fragrance behind her, which was like a promise to Bauji of the delight that awaited him during the later part of the evening.
    Thanks to Anees’ persuasion Tara became more and more reasonable about her marriage and there were fewer scenes between father and daughter. Karan’s absence also helped. Bauji was grateful to Anees for reconciling Tara to her bridegroom. Although the lively social life of the house and especially the folk singing upstairs—which went on till the small hours—provided an excellent cover for the intermittent meetings between Bauji and Anees, Tara began to suspect. Anees seemed to spend more and more time in the secluded part of the downstairs courtyard beside Bauji. At first Tara was confused. She was afraid to talk about it lest she might hurt someone. She also found it strange and exciting. Because of her romantic nature, Tara felt an instinctive sympathy for the relationship which seemed to be developing between her father and her friend. She did not judge her father or her friend. Their relationship seemed to address some of her own romantic but unrequited dreams. Instead of interfering she began to go out of her way to protect them from the inquisitive eyes of others, and cover up for them when required.
    Anees and Bauji talked about many things, but Bauji always seemed to bring their conversations back to the Hindu-Muslim question. One evening as the clock struck eleven in the tower, Anees became uneasy.
    ‘I must go,’ she said.
    ‘Stay,’ he pleaded.
    ‘But what must they think upstairs?’ she asked.
    ‘Please stay.’
    ‘I don’t want to go either,’ she said. ‘But I must.’
    ‘No wait. I want to talk to you. Anees, what is happening? Look at us—I am old enough to be your father. My daughter is getting married in a few days. Here I am completely swept away. I don’t understand. And you. . . you. . . .’
    ‘Are a Muslim?’ she said.
    ‘No, I wasn’t going to say that,’ he said.
    ‘You are older and wiser. Explain it to me, then.’
    ‘It’s got nothing to do with your being a Muslim,’ he said with a touch of irritation.
    ‘It is not safe for me to be here,’ she said.
    ‘In a Hindu area?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘You have been listening to bazaar talk again.’
    ‘They are expecting trouble tonight,’ she said.
    ‘No, impossible! It is too soon after the Quit India riots. The police are still alert.’
    ‘But it is true,’ she said.
    ‘Why?’ he asked.
    ‘To revenge the rape of the Hindu girl last week.’
    ‘What is this madness, Anees, that is sweeping through our lives? Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully for centuries. I have always admired the Muslims for their Persian culture and Arabic learning. I have also found them hardworking, freer and open and more trustworthy in business matters. Muslim lawyers,