Clouds in the Sky
Jacky’s doubts increased minute by minute. The hermitage turned out to be a shelter and a night mare for him. He was sitting in the hall after supper. Sister Carmel came to him and asked “Jacky, do you want anything more?” “Oh, no I have eaten too much” He answered.
“In the morning, if you ask for tea or coffee, they will give. I won’t be here. That is why I asked Merlin to accompany you to the university. Now, you may go to your room and rest”.
He obeyed her. Sister went inside with the plates. In his room Jacky met Merlin with a jug of water. She gestured.
“You can drink at night” Her dressing and figure would arouse sexual desire in any man. “Are these people sleeping at night with so few cloths? Oh, let her dress as she likes. I am only going to see many similar sights of physical beauty”. He thought.
Merlin raised her hand affectionately saying good-by. Jacky’s motherland entered his thought. There, if a man and woman walk through the road holding hands, many people would shout vulgar comments about them. He closed the door and looked out through the windows. Day has not faded out even after 8 O’clock. Is the sun challenging the moon?
Sister Carmel returned to her room after prayer. The rate of her heartbeat had increased since she knew about her father’s family from Jacky. Separation from the dear ones is the saddest event in one’s life. Now her father and mother are enjoying heavenly bliss. This orphaned daughter lives on this earth in the fullness of piety and prayer. She enjoys joy and peace in that glorious love. The fact of having a brother hasn’t disturbed her.
The sister thought, “The reason is that I am the bride of Christ. My brother does not know that he has a sister here. My loving father had visited me many a time. What does God reveal through Jacky’s arrival? I have never prayed God to let me see my brother at least for once. All the prayers that rose from the bottom of my heart were for those lonely souls who lead a secluded life with nobody to love and be loved by. So this reminder may be God’s own decision.
It is not easy to forget the past. Am I to worry about a half-brother? It have never wished that. “Sister Carmel looked at the cross on the table and continued her thought. “Long ago I had wished to see this brother. Did Christ bring Jacky here to lead me to my brother? O, God, it is your will, not my wish that has to be carried out”
Sister switched off the light and lay down. She remembered her father. A father who comes stealthily to see his first-born child! When she thought about his loving kiss and kind words her eyes filled with tears. She did not know that he had been ill for some time and then left this world. As he did not come to see her for many months, she asked the Mother Superior about him. It was only then that she realised that her dear father too had left her. She spent a sleepless night. She wished to see his grave, at least. She had never seen her mother. Father had promised to take her to her mother’s grave, once. This unlucky daughter will never see that. She tried to ease her pain and sorrow through prayer. Her mind advised her to suppress her tears. But on hearing about her father’s demise she wept throughout the night. Father had given her a photograph of himself and her mother. Sister Carmel would often take it out and sit looking at it for hours. That photograph was a source of consolation for her. She had his father’s features. Those who are dead live forever with Christ.
Outside, the sky became darker. Darkness caressed the earth to sleep. The Christmas tree that stood near the hermitage disappeared in the darkness. All living beings fell asleep. Moonlight alone was waiting for the arrival of her lover.
Jacky and Merlin reached the University in the morning. Merlin was very pleasant. Jacky was polite and courteous to her. Though dumb, she was very clever and efficient. The experiences at the university supported this belief. She filled all the forms for Jacky. She approached people with a smile on her lips gestured to them and collected the necessary information. Through her polite and pleasant behaviour she won every one’s trust and heart. This was helpful to Jacky too. Such connections will assist him in a country where he had no friend or relation of his own.
Whenever Merlin approached somebody, she would give that person a card about herself, with a sweet smile on her lips. The person who read it would shake hands with her with a pleasant smile. In two rooms, Jacky was slightly perturbed before a white man and a lady. But Merlin handled everything properly. It was true that Jacky had to pay a huge amount as fee. But their attitude and behaviour were as if they did not want anybody’s money. They took many papers from the computer on each of which Jacky to sign.
They went to the third room and met Jacky’s Professor Stephen Mathew. Jacky received many pieces of advice and directions from him. All his words were aimed at the point that the dignity and the esteem of the university should be protected at any rate. Every student of this institution, whether native or foreign should be achieved excellent results. He should enter the classroom with this pledge in mind. He asked Jacky about his stay, food etc. Finally Stephen Mathew asked “Jacky, do you have any question? “No Sir” he said respectfully.
Then a lady entered with Jacky’s admission card, ID card and diary and handed them to Stephen Mathew.
“Jacky, this is your I.D Card. This diary contains all the details of your studies. If you face any problem either in the class or the compound, do let me know” he said. Jacky thanked him and came out.
He looked around in surprise. Every place is so neat. He felt that he had reached a hither to unseen world. He remembered what the professor said – Students should fight and also make friends with text books. Jacky remembered his experiences at home. There, strike was like an entertainment to the students. It was due to the inefficiency of the governing body of the college and also because they had made education a business scheme.
A chance to learn without any disturbance or difficulty is the best gift that a student can get.
They walked towards the car. Merlin gestured that they could go to the pub and have some food. Jacky insisted that he had to buy a mobile phone first. Merlin understood Jacky’s eagerness to call home and friends. They drove towards the mobile shop.
They had to park the car at a distance from the shop. When they entered the busy street Jacky saw Sister Carmel walking about in search of some one. He pointed towards her to Merlin. But the girl was not surprised. She did not want to tell him that the sister was looking for prostitutes. She gestured that she would write about that when they reached their abode.
As he stood there looking at the Sister, Merlin pulled him forward and showed him the mobile shop.
They entered the shop. There were people with different complexions, hailing from diverse countries. He examined a number of phones and chose one. Merlin was about to pay. But he refused.
They entered a restaurant. Ordering food was a difficult process for him. Yet looking at the pictures in the menu card, he ordered chicken and chips. While they were eating Sister Carmel came down the stairs with a girl. Jacky looked at them with unconcealed surprise and interest.
(Cont’d)
