Haunting Jasmine

Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee Read Free Book Online
Authors: Anjali Banerjee
Tags: Fiction, Contemporary Women
Hunt….”
    “What man, where? What door?”
    “Here.” I pick up the books, lead Auntie down to the parlor. The door is wide open. Connor is gone, again.
    “There was a man in here?” Auntie says. “Splendid. You’re going on a date.”
    “It’s not a date. I didn’t mean to say date. He kept asking.”
    “I’ve heard of this Connor Hunt, but I can’t remember where. No need to worry. Enjoy yourself.” She rattles the knob. “See, this door does not lock. There is no lock at all.”
    “But—”
    “Look.” She shows me the smooth knob, opens and shuts the door.
    “I couldn’t open it.”
    Her brows furrow. She steers me back to the tea room. “Sit, take deep breaths. I’ll make you some tea.”
    Tea, her answer to everything. “I’ll tell him I can’t have coffee with him, next time he stops in,” I say, rubbing my temples. “I don’t know what got into me. I made a mistake. He said he was doing research on tractors or bananas. Or maybe kangaroos. He’s a doctor, too. How does he find time to hang around here? I can’t go out with him.”
    Auntie sits across from me, takes my hands in hers. “Bippy, you’re divorced, not dead.”
    I sigh. “Sometimes I feel… well, dead.”
    “You like this man?”
    “He’s annoying. I’ve seen him twice since I arrived… and both times, he asked me out.”
    Her eyes twinkle. “Why not ride the wave, go with the flow. Isn’t that what people say?”
    I rub my temples. Fatigue seeps into my bones, and the day is still young. “Okay, I give up.”
    “We haven’t much time. Come. Let me show you the shop.” She gives me a perfunctory tour of the computer system and checkout register. I try to memorize the keystrokes, but I’m a tad distracted.
    “You’re staying here tonight, nah?” Auntie says. “But you haven’t brought your luggage.”
    “I couldn’t drag it along the beach,” I say quickly. “I wanted to take the scenic route this morning. Ma and Dad will bring my stuff later on.” I feel terrible about lying to her.
    “I see. Acha. ” Her face relaxes. “Goodness knows what would happen otherwise.”
    “I know—the house gets cranky.” All the more reason to stay with my parents.
    In half an hour, I’m back in my regular clothes and we’re dragging Auntie’s two giant suitcases down the stairs and out the front door. My family has arrived. They all step out of the car—Gita in a designer trench coat and heels, Ma and Dad more conservatively dressed. Dad grabs both of Auntie’s suitcases and drops them in the trunk.
    Ma purses her lips, her way of disapproving of her elder sister’s adventures in India. If only she knew the real reason for Auntie’s trip. The two sisters are so different—Ma tight and controlled, Auntie flowing and flighty. Only their luminous eyes and rounded chins betray the family resemblance. Auntie makes the first move, wrapping her arms around Ma. Ma concedes, then steps away. “Be good,” she says. “No craziness.”
    “I’ll be crazier than usual,” Auntie says, winking.
    “Keep an eye on your passport, and watch out for suicide bombers,” Ma says. So her warnings aren’t reserved for me. She doles them out freely.
    “Stop worrying all the time. I’ll be fine,” Auntie says.
    “Have you packed the gifts?” Ma says.
    “Why do you think I have two suitcases?” Auntie points to the trunk. “Chocolate, shampoo, ballpoint pens, clothes, books, perfume, soap.”
    Gita hops up and down, shivering. “You’re going to have a great time, Auntie. Live it up. Don’t forget to bring me—”
    “You’ll have a most beautiful wedding sari,” Auntie says.
    “And kurtas and chappals . I want kajal and sandalwood oil and turmeric—”
    “I shall bring you an entire bazaar.”
    “Now you’re talking,” Gita says.
    I stand back, away from the wedding excitement. If Gita knew about Auntie’s heart problems, she would not make such demands.
    “Have you brought Bippy’s luggage?” Auntie

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