Novel - The Desert Rose - Chapter - 2

Thursday Night

At 4 o’ clock, he went to his office. Mr Ibrahim Fardan, one of the partners of the company, was waiting for him to know about the day’s developments. He showed the Demarcation Certificate to him.

“We need to arrange the D8’s from tomorrow. The site is full of sand in dunes and we need to establish the levels from the benchmark from the Municipality Points. Tomorrow, itself we need to start excavation for the first group of villas” the Engineer explained to Ibrahim.

“I have already asked Kuffiffi to arrange the same for you. They will work on Friday. We need to construct the labour quarters from tomorrow. Abdulla, the General Foreman will shift some workers. The purchase department is arranging 4mm plywood and the required white wood for you, by the end of today.” Ibrahim said.

“Alright. Today is the date of start of the project and we have six months to complete this eight million dirhams project. We will work twenty four hours and all days in the week” he told Ibrahim. “It is my goal to finish the project in five months”. His words were full of confidence.

“I hope for the best.” Ibrahim said.

“Yes, Ibrahim, it is a challenge. I love challenges”, he said.

“Good Luck, Sukumaran” Ibrahim wished him.

That Thursday evening was special to Sukumaran. It was the start of a dream project, the largest project by his company. He was instrumental in getting the project awarded to his company, as he had tendered for the project with the most competitive rates. In fact M/s Tariq & Associates, the Consultants of the project had commented that the rates were very low and the Contractor might not complete the work on time. But Ibrahim’s influence in the Ruler’s Office fetched him the project after he had promised that he would complete the project on time.

Sukumaran thought, I am two years old in this company and I need to prove myself and I will finish the project before time with good profit to the company.

Fernando brought “Red Label Johnywalker” bottles for the evening. Fernando was the chief accountant of the company. Being a Goan, he was a very good cook. He took care of the kitchen and started to prepare his usual fried rice with sausages and tasty sauces.

Sukumaran had a hot water bath and deposited himself on the black sofa set in front of the black and white TV. He switched on the Sony three-in-one player and inserted the LP record of Demis Russos. It started to play the song, “Good Bye My Love”

Meanwhile, Fernando opened one Johnywalker bottle and poured a large for Sukumaran. He took two sips at a time, as Demis Russos continued his songs.

Sukumaran thought about his family at home, back in India. His sister had told him when he was about to leave for Dubai “Brother, I wish you all the best and I promise you I will graduate with flying colours”, her voice was choking.

He hugged her and said “And I promise you I will arrange a good groom for you”.

His mother was sobbing and told him “Take care of your health. Don’t worry about us, we will all pray for you, for your prosperity. She wiped her tears with her sari.

Sukumaran’s heart ached to leave all his loving ones.

He said “I will fulfill my mother’s wishes, and will keep up my promise to get Sridevi the best husband a girl can have.”

Sridevi, his sister, laughed through her tears and hugged him again.

“You are very slow this evening” Fernando said and poured another small peg of whisky for Sukumaran.

“Fernando, please change the record, Demis Russos is very sentimental and he is putting me off. Play El Bimbo by Paul Mauriat. Let me uplift my mood”. Sukumaran emptied his glass in one sip. The pungent liquid spread fire to his throat and then travelled like lava down his gullet to his innocent starving stomach.

Abdul Halim Hafiz, the Egyptian singer, was on TV singing his famous song “Ahwak"

Sukumaran’s heart sank as the song spread pathos in the air. The intoxication level was rising and his eyes filled up.

He closed his eyes and there she was with her captivating smile.

“Suku, I Love you more than anything in the world’. She clung to him as their lips met for a long time in inseparable love. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“But, it is impossible. I can never make you mine” he said.” You belong to someone”

She did not answer, but instead she hugged him closely with her lips glued on to his.

Fernando’s voice brought him to the present. Sukumaran poured another small peg of the liquor. He splashed a few ice cubes into his glass and gulped the fiery liquid. His eyes were red and his actions were becoming involuntary.

“This is for your success in starting the new project” Fernando raised his glass in a toast.

It was 11-00 PM, when Sukumaran started to drive his car to Deira. Fernanado was very confident as Sukumaran was the best driver while drunk. A few Arab youths were blaring their car horns as they sped past. At the Deira Cinema the night show was on. Chilly wind blew from the nearby desert and Fernando kept down the shutters of the car.

Being Thursday night, the Deira Restaurant was full with Arabs, local and expatriates. Sukumaran and Fernando sat at a vacant table. A pot tummied waiter, a Lebanese, approached them to take the order.

Sukumaran ordered the usual kababs with Lebanese bread, homuz and salads (Lebanese delicacies).

While the food was eaten, the intoxication reached its azimuth for them and their eating went on uncontrollably. By the time they stopped, two dozens of kababs had passed through their mouths full of saliva to their eating bags below.

Sukumaran drove the car very immaculately with much more care than of a sobre person. When they passed the Clock Tower round about, the needles showed the time as 2-00 A M, on Friday.