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The fat white goats were hard to handle on the narrow street by the six kumarimi (servants from Kumari Ghar) Kama took on the road to the Shakya family. The five spry animals were constantly driving the yaks over the road, pushing them aside towards the green leafy bushes, running around, circling the barely moving cow. Kama stood head of the group almost deaf and blind to what was hapenning. Amused to see the large loud group moving chaoticly, almost in a sort of group craze which included human and animal both, just behind the impertubable Kama who was walking along quietly, Khadys’ parents held Ajeet by the hand. Finally, the group arrived to the small yellow house which seemed guarded by a kid and 2 big smiling statues.
Ajeet was curious about this man, who held his sister in the big palace. He seemed devious to the boy,but like any other child couldn’t explain to himself why he had that feeling. Khadys’ brother stood by his mother side, almost hidden behind her legs. He thought a lot but didn’t say a word. Having more animals in the household meant more chores for him, less time to play, even less without having Khady around to help him.
-These animals shall help our family thrive, said Mr. Darjit, Khadys’ father, to Kama as he was coming closer.
-I’m sure you will put my gifts to good use, Mr. Darjit.
-Come inside, Mrs. Darjit prepared some delicious goat meat with basmati rice and our special family sauce… Great-grandmothers’ recipe. I hope you will like our meal.
-I’m sure I will, this walk in the sun has made me hungry and thirsty, said Kama licking his big inferior lip. I’m happy to get to know a bit of Khadijas’ past life, the way she lived, where she was raised…
-She was a happy helping little kid. We miss her every day! Ajeet cried a lot these last days.
Ajeets’ thin little hands started shaking and his small chin trembling. A tear washed his brownish little face leaving a white path from the eye to his pink lips.
-We are having difficulties with him, he didn’t speak at all today.
At this point the dirty, shy little boy looked down with his big sad brown eyes and ran away, leaving his parents alone with Kama at the little table that stood in the middle of the room. A brief moment of silence filled the small room as everyone was thinking at the fragile little boy.
-You should explain to Ajeet that he will see his sister very soon. As a matter of fact we are expecting you all at the palace three days from now. You should come together this time. Bring the grandma also. Next week the boy will join Indiras’ visit and you will come separately, leaving the grandma to watch the household for a few hours. It’s best if you come in the after-noon. By then Khady would have finished her daily rituals.
-Thank you, said Mr. Darjit in a low voice, not adding anything else in an almost embarrasing manner. Ajeet wasn’t the only one who missed seeing Khadija in their yard, playing in the sun.
-We shall come as you say. Could you do us a favour? Give this to Khady. It was a piece of green smooth cloth. We used to cover Khady with this when she was a baby. We thought that maybe it’s best if she had something of hers if she ever felt lonely.
-I will give it to her, answered Kama, holding that piece of cloth a little bit too close to his heart. It almost seemed like it was given to him. His brown eyes sparked with content saying goodbye to Khadys’ family.
With these words Kama left and returned to the palace, walking along the same whirling waters of the same Bagmati river which inspired Khady in her short escape from Kumari Ghar.