Liza yelled, pointing a firm finger at him:
“Give that, you scoundrel. Or, I shall smash your head!”
Frank turned to look at her with usual sarcastic grin. It faded in a flash. The fury in her face and the bronze flower vase raised towards his head!He stood still. The gold chain, he was about to drop in to his pocket, he put in to her stretched palm. She shouted:
“Get lost, We don’t want you anymore.”
Staring at her, he knew, she meant, what she said. He turned and walked out of the gate.
Sunday, regaining her composure Liza was busy with her pots of begonia. She looked up at the clicking sound of the gate latch. Gladys was back from church. Lizawas surprised to see a stranger behind Gladys, coming in, hesitating.
Gladys introduced him:
“This is Little Joe; he will be here, with us.”
Though she said hello Liza didn’tfeel like greeting the fellow. She thought:
“Little joe; name and his size do not match at all!Big burly fellow with broad shoulder, heavy hands, pot belly and a bald head. There was a fixed frown on his unsmiling face!”
Gladys ignored Liza’s expression.She turned to the man:
“Joe, meet my daughter Liza, and there comes our precious Lena.”
The kid, who came running from inside, stopped, seeing the new grim face.Then it happened, to the surprise of Liza.The hefty man stooped down to sit on his knees.He extended hands to lift her and place on his shoulder.Swaying to and fro, he said:
“Oh my , cutie, I like you flying in skies.”
Liza was about to drag her daughter from him but stopped. Lena was happy, laughing and clapping her hands! That was the beginning of a charming bond.Liza expressed her disapproval when Gladys asked to serve food together. She knows, her mother was a seasoned lady who could not be carried away by pretensions or favours.After father’s demise, it was her will powerthat saved them from total collapse.She remembered how Mom tried to dissuade herwhen she asked for consent to marry Frank.
“Liza don’t behasty.He appears too poised and concerned to be real. We have to find his backgrounds.”
Liza was dismissing mom’s words as unnecessary anxieties.Now she repents, she must be more careful in recognising people.As Liza was serving food her mind drifted to years back.How happy their family had been when Mr Gladstone was there. A gardener allthrough his life, crazy of plants, forgetting to marry up to late fifties! In her mother’s words, Gladys was his second love. The wife had toforcethe idea in to himthat their wedded life must also flower. She was thirty six when Liza was born. Gladstone’sworld shrank into his daughter. He died when Liza was just twenty but he managed a small but impressive cottage and farm for her.Also,he could place her in his friend’s book shop.
Either Liza happened to be unusually innocent or Frank was exceptionally cunning, she missed knowing many things.He was tall and handsome.Scheming what to speak and, always careful to project a well-to-do appearance.He was lavish in words and also gifts to both the mother and daughter.There had been a couple of occasions, Liza was arguing with her mother over Frank’s merit.The fact is, they never knew,‘who were his parents, where he actually lived and what is he doing.’
Frank did not have a job.In fact, he did not want to be tied up in any job. He wanted easy money. He was habituated with a carefree Living, out of the savings of his father which was about to be exhausted.He realized, Liza will be a continuing asset.She is pretty, healthy, earning and without encumbrance. He gathered that even her mother did not want a penny from her daughter’s money.He met Liza with his dazzling smile and impressive dressing; proposed and married.Only weeks after marriage, she happened to learn that Frank was taken to regular boozing and gambling. She wept.She tried grumbling and criticizing; Hescowled off.She tried advising and pleading; he ignored.He was decided and stubborn and laughed at her grievances.He started teasing her and even hurting physically when he felt, she is not inclined to all his demands.She hoped, he might turn soft when the baby was born.She genuinely expected him to do away with his disgusting habits at the charming smile of their cute little baby.He was a different stuff. He was in a gambling place when his daughter’s christening ceremony was going on in the church.
As days passed by, she started realising that Frank was nastier than anybody could imagine.She noticed that, at times, he is pestering the old woman for money to be thrown for bottles in the bar or tokens in the gambling spots.Only Gladys had been struggling not to make issues. Liza was shocked to learn that he was kicking on her back and grabbing at her throat. She realized now, how some antiques and saleable objects have been found missing from home.She hoped, his love fordaughter may subsequently change Frank.Here again, she had to lose.She saw one day Frank chasing his three year old daughter who was frantically trying to duck under the table, and run around the furniture, crying desperately.He stopped when he got what he wanted. During her first birthday her grandma had bought a golden chain for Lena. Frank was pulling it out of the child’s neck and putting in his pocket with a disgusting grin. It was too much for Liza.She decided she cannot have a husband like that.She hoped, he may not comeback at all.
Of course Liza couldn’t get along with many aspects of Joe. She didn’t show her disapproval openly, as it may hurt her mother’s feelings too.With here a touch and there a touch, Joe became part of the household. Shewaseager to know, why her Mom is that interested in Joe.After supper, as the four were relaxing in the dim light of the lantern, Gladys told Liza, it washim who pinned the bag lifters and helped to recover her two lakh rupees. Gladys offered money; he didn’t accept. Those who were in the churchyard were impressed upon him.Gladys learnt, he was in desperate condition. He came wandering after attempted suicide. He lostall his dear and near in a wildfire,later resolved to live;needed a job and shelter. Gladys took him as a gift from God.Joe too felt it a consolation, reaching Lilliz and seeing the simple fellows there. He was not handsome, he was not a youth, he was gloomy, but proved sincere, punctual, committed to work; whether it is digging a wellorchopping a tree trunk.
Second year Gladys was laid up in bed. Liza and Lena were beside her.She called Joe:
“My Son, there was an invisible bond of belongingness between us; I loved you as if you are born to me. I may not live long.Will you promise me, you will look after these two?”
He held her palm in his hands and said:
“ I know; I forgot my sorrow because of you; I shall take care of them as long as I am alive.“
Liza too felt relieved, herkid was safe and secure under his shadow…Soon after, Gladys died. Liza felt herself like the twine which lost its support. It took a couple of months for her to be out of grief. She realized, but for the care of Joe, what would have been the condition of Lena!
Gazing at the rich flora around, Liza wondered:
‘If Papa were alive, he must be excited over the grandeur of the garden.And,the credit, altogether goes to one person.From where she was standing she could see the big frame of little Joe, busy diverting the flow of rainwater.She remembered:
‘This fellow is like Papa, never found sitting idle.And, never grumbling over anything.’
She felt delicate to think that this was the person whom she considered as a nuisance. Liza recovered from the loss of her mother because of Joe’s timely attention. He never waited for herself or Lena, ask him something. In fact she felt easy at routines of household because of him. Meticulous and pre planned. He tookso much delight in Lena’s well-being that, she once complained, Joe is snatching away some of her motherly privilegestoo.No wonder, Liza started feeling jealous of Lena’s shifted attachments!How could she relish,‘she is her mother but he is her intimate!’
She noticed that the six-year-old understands a lot of things.She may hesitate at her Mom’s insistences but never to Joe’s suggestions! In heart of hearts she felt relieved, minimising heranxietyoverLena’s future. Liza felt bad when Lena demanded,
‘Joe, do this; Joe, do that.’
She corrected:“He is not your age, call him uncle.”
He cut in:
“My cutie can call me anything”.
He managed whatever the kid wishedfor!
0nce Liza mused:
“I wonder, one day, she won’t ask you to take her to moon!”He grunted emphatically; Liza understood the meaning,‘Perhaps, I will, if people started Moon-trip.’
Three-fourth of the plot was vegetables and fruits. Every day, a van-full of vegetables left Lilliz to the market. Either side of the pathway from the gate looked like a nursery, rich of flowers.It was Lena’s demand, flower garden, boarded with grass lawn.She had seen a particular variety of Lilly somewhere. Hewent after it, got it, to beraised in a large pot. Lena started getting up early in order to check weather her lily showed signs of budding. It was a day of rejoice in Lilliz when the first flower appeared; with its all white and delicate petals, swaying in wind. Lena wanted lily flowers ever after to run around and talk about.
Once she said, holding the flower bunch close to her chest:
“Look, how slender and delicate these petals are! And,lo, the fragrance is enchanting!These are my dearest”
“What about me and uncle, then.”
Lena blushed:
“After both of you, of course.”
She was in mood:
“Mom, you said when Grandma died, noble souls become stars. When I die, I wish to be a lily plant, full of flowers, righthere!”
She was pointing at the front square. Liza closed her ears and yelled out:
“Stop, naughty girl; talking such nonsense !”
Lena was upset at her Mom’s reaction. Joe interfered:
“Sweety, won’t your Mom be sad if you talk like that?”
Lena nodded in compliance.As life became carefree there was a change in Liza too. Her very body language changed, as if she became two-three years younger! She is found humming tunes when she is engaged in work.In her attitude to Joe, the transition was clearly seen, even without her self recognising it.She actually forgot of his shortcomings.Very many times she felt like remarking: ‘how much caring and helpful he is!A man who never wanted anything for himself. Everready to adjust himself with the willand pleasure of people around.’‘indeed, a wonderful guy to be made companion.’
At length she decided; ‘why, waiting; life is short, no-one knows, what is to happen, next moment!’ She asked her six-year-old daughter:
“Darling, shall mum marry your Joe uncle ?”
“Why not? that will be nice.”
Lena was evidently happy over that Idea.Laughing aloud, clapping hands she was about to rush to her uncle, to pass on the information. Liza hushed her up. Though she thought, Joe will be readily agreeable, she was eager to find a congenial occasion to disclose.
After a week when they were engaged in post supper chats she put forth her decision. To her surprise, he remained silent for sometime, got up and walked away without a word. Every time she tried to open up the matter, his reaction was the same.Fourth time she asked him squarely
:‘ wasn’t he interested in marrying her.’
This time he looked away but said:
“Look, Liza, when I found my burnt household and the charred bodies of my parents, I died there, instantaneously; I didn’t think of suicide after my first impulse because I realised, that is an act of cowardice. You people gave me this life. I don’t want anything more….“
He stopped. suddenly there was water in his eyes. He looked into her eyes:
“ I love you both; I loved your mother; the affection, this little girl has towards me, can it be any lesser than what any father could imagine!I love you not for anything in return.”
As he shifted away, she heard what more he muttered :
“ I know my shortcomings; I am not that type exploiting the kindness of others.”
Although she felt uneasy over his reaction, she was not totally disappointed; to her consolation, she could identify something above gratitude in his tears …..Happy, they were. The three of them,the girl, her mother and her uncle have now worry-free days.They could never say, they were affluent.But the fact is, both the adults enjoyed working hard, and, naturally they could look for reasonable returns.The bookshop, where she started as a sales girl was just a km away.She enjoyed amidst books.When Bernard died, his son,an engineer in nearby town, asked Liza to manage. She was happy to receive a few bucks more. Habituated with simple living, her income was sufficient to manage their household expenses. Liza remembered, Joe must have some money ofhis own, but he laughed away when she pulledher purse out.0nce he scowled:
“Are you ditching me into the status of a worker? I don’t like being paid for what I do here.”
He felt, she was hurt. He said:
“I am sorry, take it this way Liza;You are employed; you are earning; you are meeting your expenses;Lena’s requirements; my requirements.What more is necessary?”
Liza asked desperately:
“Well, Joe, in that case shall I suggest something?Isn’t the income from our cultivation,the reward to your sweating?You invest, you earn and you spend,thereby, free me totally from that botheration.”
Liza felt satisfied, settling a long time concern. Lena accompanieduncle, everywhere.A couple of times, he took her to the Bookshop too. What was in Joe’s mind, one day, came out from Liza’s mouth:
“Why don’t we make regular evening walk and a Sunday outing? Lena will enjoy it.”
Liza thought:
“The magic wand had been in our own bag; didn’t think of using, all these days!”
They started visiting places, the cutie in the middle, with Mom holding right hand and uncle, holding the left.They were seen in the marketplace, riverside, hilltop and churchyard. At times they heard strangers exclaiming, ‘beautiful family!‘ One Sunday they were out of town, spending all day in the zoo.Even after days of the visit Lena reminisced her joy of seeing the heroes of her picture books.She made her uncle laugh, imitating the monkeys and the parrots.Liza heard her compelling Joe to make their sounds and laughing together. Next Sunday they were watching an exhibition. Lena was eager to spend maximum time in the fun and fair area.Though she couldn’t think of risky items such as flying wheel or speeding train she had a never- before joy of timepass and eating- fun. The third Sunday Liza suggested total relaxation in a spot where they could enjoy natural beauty . They chose the Botanical Garden. They had no reason to remember:
‘No human being ever had a lifetime joy.Good or bad, what to happen next moment,depends upon the move of the Invisible player!’
Lena was jubilant to feel the freedom in the open space…Here, she need not catchUncle’s hands or listen to Mom’s repeated warnings. Anywhere else, Mom will be yelling:
“Lena….. where are you…. watch the edge….mind the insects….. don’t run, it is slippery there….. don’t climb on that……”
In the vast grassy meadowshe could kick the huge ball as she like and run after it..After a long stroll around the lake tired, they decided to sit in the grass, under a huge banyan tree. Liza suggested:
“Here we shall have our lunch.”
Uncle Joe hurried to the other side where cars are parked and came back carrying the large box on his shoulder. He placed it down and started taking out one by one- apples, cakes, bread, butter, jam, juice bottles etc. As he went back to fetch water, shawls and plates, Lena was peeping in to the box.Liza knew, Lena was looking for her favourite items, chocolate rolls and ice cream.
After a prolonged,sumptuous eating session, Liza said, she will have a short nap stretching in the grass.She found Lena in a mood to continue running around. Liza glanced at Joe which meant she left Lena’s safety, exclusively upon him.He nodded in assurance. He thought the place was absolutely safe. Also, he could see her from where he was sitting There was no reason for them to think of a dark shadow of disaster lurking over them.Especially when itsettled in the form of overconfidence.Joe could hear her kicking the ball and even talking to it as if it were a pup or kitten! Hardly did he shift his eyes for two-three minutes, he was shocked to realize that the child is not to be seen. He jumped up and ran towards the spot where she was playing. In the stretch of grassy lawn there were nothing but trees ! ‘How could she disappearlike that!’His scream echoed far:
“Lena…,Lena… my child… where are you”
His cry alerted visitors and staff who came running towards him. Liza froze with open mouth.Suddenly he knew, in horror.The lake was separated from the grassy meadow by safe railing. But there was a narrow gapthrough which people could step down to the water and, it was covered with a blanket of lily plants. The girl might have run after the ball, and slipped over the edge! People wasted no time, jumping into the water.After a brief search they could find the body and pull it out of the weeds. 0nelook at it, with a loud ‘aa…hh…gh,’
Liza fell unconscious …Joe had a hard time, controlling his own grief, assisting in all formalities and attending to Liza .He managed a lady to look after their household.It took several months before the mother returned to her normal bearing.Most of the time she sat staring with blank eyes and hardly spoke anything. She spent hours together beside the Lily plant, whispering and listening to it as if it were her Lena !
One evening Liza and Joe were squatting near the lily plant and exchanging their sorrows. The gate opened ajar, and, in came a fellow. Liza who looked up saw him first. Joe noticed Liza shudder and her face going pale. The fellow walked heavily towards where Liza was sitting.It was evident that he was drunk, struggling to light a cigarette.Staring at Liza and with an ugly grin and tilted mouth, he asked:
“ So, this is your filthy partner, these days,eh? And, the girl’s death made it comfortable for you, shameless ones, eh?”
He showed a disgusting action towards Liza.At this,she wasfurious.She shouted:
“Who wanted you here, dirty punk? Better go away, or I will call the police.”
Walking towards them, he kicked the pot of lily, so hard that it cracked making mud spill out. He noticed, it hurt her. He stooped to pull out the plant itself, out of the pot.He threw it down and started stamping to crush it. At this mean action Liza turned hysteric.She screamed:
“Ooh, my…. Lena… save her….”
As Frank was glowering at her, Joe stood up tall in front of him, and, gave a nasty slap on his face. Frank looked aghast as he saw Joe leaning to Grab a brick.
He knew, if we stayed a minute further, his head would be smashed.He turned and hurried out of the gate.Joe dropped the brick and turned to look at Liza.He found hersick. She was like a horrified child. Gazing blankly, whispering,
‘my Lena,..my baby…’
The maid came running and carried her inside.Joe felt that Liza’s half healed heart has started bleeding again. He tookher to the same doctor who was familiar to her mental condition.She advised Joe to leave Liza in her residential clinic for a few weeks,under full time attention to bring her back to normal. Joe said, he is obligedto any sacrifice to see her alright. The doctor was highly impressed over Joe’s concern.He never failed reporting at the clinic every Sunday.He sat beside Lizavouching that everything at Lilliz was alright, waiting for her return. Every time while leaving he reminded that ‘there was a real surprise waiting for her’.
And, the day came, after full three months. the doctor assured, Liza was fully fit to return home.As she got down, Liza gazed around and turned to Joe with a thanking smile.Walking by the footpathamidst green foliage and flowers she stopped and lifted her face, sniffing.
“Lilies, I am getting the scent!”
Her eyes were searching around; the pot was not to be found anywhere.She glanced at Joe, frowning.Hesmiled.
“Didn’t I tell you there is a surprise?”
He gently lead her to the backyard. Lo ! half of the yard was filled with hundreds of lily plants and, thousands of lily flowers! They were welcoming her with their delicate fingers waving in wind. Joe thought she was going to faint but she was actually leaning to him with a desire to cling onto his body. He held her close.She whispered:
“Darling now you are lovelier to me than even these beautiful flowers!”
She looked into his eyes:“Will you kiss me……….“
