The Desert Rose - Chapter 7

 Adios, Queen of the Night

Bergosa had brought the photographs and passport copies of the workers selected by Menon, to the hotel. Menon signed on each passport copy and photograph. “Please make sure not to send persons other than the ones whom I have selected. I will send them back if I find out that they are not included in the original list”

Bergosa nodded his head in acknowledging Menon’s instructions and warning.

A short nap and a cold shower refreshed Menon. He dressed up in his best and wore the perfume “Intimate” and walked out of The Hotel Majesty. It was his favourite perfume which made him very romantic always. Night was approaching like colourful and charming maiden. He walked along the pavement of the Marine Drive and sat on the wall. He turned towards the calm waters of the sea and sat with his feet hanging. The cool breeze sprayed salt water particles on to his shoes and pants. A fishy smell filled the atmosphere. He looked afar at the anchored ships, the lights blinking at him. A feeling of sadness engulfed him. He was missing his family. He reminisced the days with his mother and brother.

“Moong phali, Moong phali (Groundnuts, groundnuts)” the vendor’s voice brought him back to the present. His heart grew heavy. The waves became noisy, the splashing became continuous. The moon shone nonchalantly in the sky surrounded by a galaxy of stars. The roads carried human beings in various kinds of vehicles, each one on his or her mission, different from the other. Life continued at the city of hopes, dreams aspirations and vicious circles. The nightlife of Bombay had just begun.

Menon walked back to his hotel. He stopped thinking about his family and his thoughts concentrated on his future action. He collected the suite keys from the reception counter.

Melville De Mello was reading the 9 P.M. news in English over All India Radio, New Delhi. There was a knock at the door and Menon opened the door. Ashok Tandon was standing at the entrance with a pack presumably a bottle and a beautiful woman was on his right hand side.

“Meet Mr. Sreenivas Menon” he introduced him to her.

“I am Roshni, nice to meet you” she extended her right hand to Menon for a handshake. Her perfume was a special one; it spread in the atmosphere like wildfire.

“Please come on in” he invited them inside.

They sat on the sofa. As a ritual, Ashok opened the “Johnny Walker Black Label” whiskey bottle and poured into three glasses. The drinking session was on.

“Roshni was my colleague while we were working in the Eastern Airlines. She is an erstwhile air hostess of the Airlines.” Ashok explained and sipped the whiskey.

Roshni looked at Menon with lustful eyes that did not leave his handsome face. Menon was embarrassed and he could not fathom the purpose of Ashok’s visit with the woman.

Roshni was in her late thirties and was extremely charming. She never looked her age and her slim figure in the red sari would attract anybody’s attention.

Ashok ordered dinner with the Hotel Restaurant as the drinking continued.

When the dinner was over, Ashok said “Sir, I will just come within half an hour as I have to meet a client in the same hotel. You can chat for a while”

Menon then could put two and two together. He told Ashok “Look Ashok, I have to sleep early as my flight is at 4-30 A.M tomorrow morning. Please take Roshni with you”

Ashok said “Well, if you insist we will leave now”

“Good Night and thanks for the company” he told Roshni.

The planned seduction at the Majesty Hotel, never took place and Menon thanked his stars for getting out of the tentacles of the Lady in Red.

John Bergosa bade farewell to Menon at 3-00 A.M next morning at the airport. He thanked Bergosa and boarded the Kuwait Airways Flight to Dubai.