Miss Kathy

 

City roads required Bella’s patience and attention as she constantly swerved, sped or stopped abruptly while driving in the more congested part of the old city. When they stopped at the traffic lights, she glanced at her mother Uma , sitting stiffly but straight backed and trying to connect the present with the fast retreating landmarks of the past. The next few minutes required a practiced eye and a steady hand as Bela held her breath and maneuvered through the narrow twisting lane while Uma bright eyed and impatient declared, “Home at last after so many years.”  

“Wait don’t start leaping up the stairs. I don’t want to call for an ambulance.”  

 Uma frowned as she saw a padlocked door barring entrance to the rooms. “When did this happen?”

“I did to stop the others from occupying your property.”

The wide verandah was no longer open but enclosed with iron grilles and the windows shuttered and locked. Bela hoped that Uma would be discouraged by the dark musty rooms and not venture inside. “The rooms are empty, all the furniture has been removed and the windows can’t be opened. Have a look from outside and then we can leave.”

Uma realized that this would probably be her last visit before the house was handed over to the developers. Paying no attention to Bela’s words, she wandered through the rooms and saw the dusty outline of a small writing table.

“I think that is the desk from my schooldays. It had a couple of drawers and I can make out that there is something inside. Please see if you can get it out.”

Disappointed and angry Uma refused to move until Bela did her bidding.  Walking gingerly in fear of stepping on creepy crawlies, Bela pulled open the drawer and found an old framed picture.

 Bela tried to be as conciliatory as possible, “There is nothing else to retrieve. Let us go home before the traffic starts getting heavy.”

Uma surveyed the steep staircase, dragged her feet, reluctant to leave. She wasn’t curious about what Bela had rescued from the desk.

 It took more than a gentle nudge to finally reach the gate. As anticipated, Bela’s fears about the traffic proved real.  Traffic continued to be slow but Uma didn’t complain and stared at the photograph. 

“Ma, are you feeling unwell? Was the visit too painful?”

Uma looked up, her eyes brimming, “The camera has captured and preserved them even though they are long gone.”

“The dust and grime hasn’t stopped you from recognizing them?”

Uma was incensed,” Why? This is my mother Charu and her best friend Miss Kathy.”

“Interesting to know that Didima had an English friend?”

“Miss Kathy was not British but could pass off for one.  They were an almost unbeatable duo and the best athletes the school had in many years.”

 “You always bragged about your mother’s culinary skills. I don’t recollect you mentioning all these achievements.”

“Don’t be facetious.  Miss Kathy and my mother were school friends. Ma not only spoke English well but enjoyed and excelled in sports.  Unfortunately, an early marriage in to a conservative family put an end to her sporting activities.”

“Did you call her Miss Kathy?”

 “Miss Kathy wished to be called only by her first name but that didn’t seem respectful so everybody old and young addressed her as Miss Kathy.

Miss Kathy visited us when she came to play basketball matches in the city. After finishing her schooling, she had trained as a secretary and worked in a well-known company. As a good basketball player Miss Kathy represented her company and also participated in other tournaments.”

 “Did you want to follow a career in sports?”

“Miss Kathy influenced my mother to put me in a school where sport was a part of the regular routine. When I was in school, she was my biggest cheer leader, would  give me tips and try to attend the annual sports day.  

She noticed that I was better than the average badminton player and found out about coaches and facilities that could provide the necessary training to not only compete in tournaments but to win. “

Bela was surprised as Uma rarely mentioned her own achievements on the badminton court or had lately shown such animation about anyone or any topic. 

“Now I can understand why you were keen for all of us to give equal importance to sports as well as academics. We were good but not toppers.”

“Miss Kathy kept me grounded and was so persistent that I didn’t want to fail her or my mother who was a silent but strong supporter.”

Reliving her past and visiting her family home had tired out Uma and she hadn’t noticed that they were back home.

As they went indoors, Bela handed an envelope to Uma. “This is in your maiden name and was delivered to your family house. It has been sent by a Ms. Corinne Lynd with an address in Niazpur. Do you know anybody by that name?”

Uma’s hands were trembling so much that she passed it unopened. “After so many years somebody from Miss Kathy Lynd’s family wants to get in touch with me. It is not possible for me to go through the contents. You read it.”

Bela noticed Uma’s overwrought appearance, “Ma, there can’t be any bad news. Miss Kathy could possibly be no longer alive. Sit down and let me see what is written.”  

Dear Uma Sen,

I hope my letter doesn’t come as to much of a surprise .

This year Albert Memorial will be celebrating its one hundred and twenty fifth foundation day. A prize has been planned to honor Charu Bose and Kathy Lynd and the committee would greatly appreciate if you along with a member of the Lynd family would give it away.

 Charu Bose and one of my grand aunts Kathy Lynd were school mates in Albert Memorial School in Niazpur. They were the first to win the championship shield for inter school sports for three consecutive years. It was a rare feat and hasn’t been achieved very often in the school’s history.

 I was able to trace your name and address from a letter written by you to Kathy Lynd and am hopeful that this will reach you.

  I would be happy to hear from you along with a confirmation about your plans.

Regards

Corinne Lynd

Enclosure: School Invitation.

 

Uma was at a loss for words and kept on looking at the photograph. Finally she said, “All along I felt that Ma and Miss Kathy were trying to tell me something. Yes I will attend the prize giving ceremony and institute a rolling trophy in their names for the best girl athlete for the school year.

Bela I will need your help to design the trophy and to accompany me to Niazpur.”