June 1995 we were hastily tidying up our contract assignments to hand over to others in Singapore after completion of our term. We’d completed ten years there, and this was our second and final contract in that city state. We were soon to move on to the Philippines and back to Educational work. I had one final responsibility, and that was to attend an … Continue reading Amsterdam
Harbour Rendezvous Johann made his way to the reception area and selected a comfortable chair reaching out for the Sunday paper to scan headlines while he waited. Manja picked up Stephanie and went to the elevator to punch in her floor level. Stephanie was quiet now but glancing over her shoulder to try and discover where the ice cream man had gone. Manja placed her … Continue reading Chance Encounter Chapter 2
Family Reunion Stanley didn’t sleep well that night as he was careful not to touch his sister in law. He turned it all over in his mind and looked forward to his return to Singapore with a mixture of happiness and apprehension. He now had knowledge how disappointed the family was with him, but he’d take up his load with enthusiasm and win their respect … Continue reading The Singapore Connection – Chapter 10
Fei Hong’s resurrection Stanley had been hiking daily since his arrival on the coast but hadn’t complemented this with balanced meals and adequate rest at the cheap motel. He was feeling weak as he struggled with who to see to help his mind heal. He turned to cross over the road to one of the restaurants he occasionally ate at and gasped in surprise. … Continue reading The Singapore Connection – Chapter 9
Married Life Stanley interrupted his memories as he refocused on a panorama of the South Pacific Ocean once again. This always thrilled him as he looked toward Moreton Island in the distance where a thunderstorm was brewing, he’d relived these memories over and over since Jade died. Having thrown himself into work at the office afterward with a vengeance it had taken the mind off … Continue reading The Singapore Connection – Chapter 8
Discovery Veena sat on campus away from other groups sitting together chatting, she was serious about finishing her MBA and determined not to let one minute of social opportunity come between her and her studies. Oh, she did socialize and was quite popular but kept it all to a minimum, so parties didn’t draw her away from studies. She wanted to hurry her studies along … Continue reading Anvit अन्वित – Chapter 6
Culture Shock Curt was in major culture shock as he stepped out of the Mumbai international terminal. His cousin Bruce was supposed to meet him as he exited arrivals area but as Bruce was no where in sight he wondered if there’d been a miscommunication and he was supposed to meet outside the entrance. Not having travelled before Curt had looked on this as a … Continue reading Anvit अन्वित – Chapter 1
CHAPTER 4 – OFF WITH THE OLD, ON WITH THE NEW Asha almost addressed Tad as Sir then remembered comments in the dossier in front of him. Finally, she got it out as directed and addressed him by his personal name. She felt strange doing that. She gave him a quick history of the arranged marriage, the long delay with the visa, how she’d contacted … Continue reading ASHA (आशा: CHAPTER 4
(GOPAL. From the Sanskrit word go “cow” and pala “protector” and taken to mean “cowherd”.) Slaughter on the Ganges. Gopal sat on the banks of the river and watched as his herd fossicked among grassland and then carefully made their way down the slippery path to a shallow portion of the waterway to drink. He lived in the village of Deviganj and among his brothers … Continue reading GOPAL गोपाल – Chapter 1
The Paan Wallah prepared betel leaf with areca nut as Datu waited patiently. He never tired of watching the process as the stall holder worked his trade. The Paan Wallah held out his hand before handing over the final product and gave his red stained teeth grin. Datu reached into his money pouch and produced the usual payment while the vendor continued to hold out … Continue reading दत्तु (Datu)
