The Desert Rose - Chapter 3

Friday, Friday, come again

Fridays were the only holidays in Dubai and the expatriates enjoyed them with great fervour and enthusiasm. Menon got up at 11-00 AM with a hangover of the previous night’s activities.  He had a cup of black coffee and got ready with a hot shower. He never took breakfast on any day. He dressed in his blue and white striped shirt and covered himself with a woolen coat. He was relaxed as it was a holiday. But his responsibilities were too many. He drove down to Ghusseli to check the excavation work. He parked his car and walked along the sand where the D8’s (D8 bulldozers) were working. The drivers had stopped work and had gone to the nearby mosque on the main road for the Friday prayers. There was good progress in the work.

Jasbir Singh, Foreman ran towards him.

“Sat Sri Akal, sirji” he wished Menon.

“Sat Sri Akal”, Menon replied. Menon was very happy to see that one row of labour accommodation was already completed and at the back, toilets and baths were being constructed with cement sand blocks.

“The shovel will be here by 1 O’ clock and I will dig pits for the septic tanks, sirji” Jasbir Singh said with much enthusiasm. Jasbir was his favourite foreman as he was very efficient and active.

“Tomorrow, we will complete the offices for the Consultants and you, sirji” Jasbir unfolded his plan for the next day.

Menon was much pleased with the proceedings. He walked back and passed the Bedouin huts. In one of the huts, an Arab, about seventy-five years old, was smoking Hookah. When he saw Menon, he waved at him saying “Thaal, thaal hini” (Come, come here).

Menon walked towards him. The hut was made of khajur leaves, both the walls and the roof. He was sitting outside on a cot. A camel was licking the back of its calf as the calf sucked milk from the mother’s udders.

“Salaam Aalaikum”, the Arab said. The Arab introduced himself in half Arabic and half Urdu. “My name is Baqer Ali Hussain. Please sit down Mohandis (Engineer)”. He offered a wooden chair to Menon. He was surprised how Baqer could know that he was the Engineer.

He said “Aalaikum Salaam. I am engineer Sreenivas Menon”

“I know you are the Engineer. Now I know your name” he laughed.

He brought a big circular receptacle in which there were dates, oranges, apples, grapes and various kinds of nuts and dry fruits.

“Please have” he invited Menon. His smile was very innocent. His lower teeth were stained and his beard was black and white. His Arab attire was brownish and his head wear was purple in colour with a stripes.

Menon knew very well about Arab hospitality which should be reciprocated with good participation in taking what they would offer. He started to eat some dates and nuts. Baqer went inside and brought a jug of steaming qahwah (a special black coffee) with a few small coffee cups. He poured the coffee in one of the cups and offered it to Menon. He drank the coffee and gave the cup back to Baqer. He filled it again and gave it to Menon. Likewise at least eight times Menon had to drink the coffee.

He told Baqer “it is enough”

Baqer laughed at him and said “if you don’t want more you should move your hand like this with the cup”. Baqer’s hand moved in a shivering action with the cup. “Like this” he said.

Menon had never known about that formality.

There was laughter from inside near the window, the laughter of a young woman. He looked towards the window. The aroma of Arabic perfumes filled the air. He saw a pair of beautiful eyes; the face was covered in a black veil. She disappeared as Menon looked at her.

“She is my maid. Gauri” Baqer said.

“I brought her from Hyderabad, India, five years back. She is a hardworking and good girl. I treat her like my daughter. I taught her how to dress and behave like a Muslim girl.” Baqer continued.

Menon was impressed my Baqer’s magnanimity. He is a very good sponsor. Menon judged him.

“And where is your wife?”  Menon asked him.

“I am unmarried. My orientation is different. You know what I mean” Baqer was frank.

Menon said good-bye to Baqer.

While driving back to Dubai, Gauri’s eyes were following him while her laughter was ringing in his ears.