CONVERSATIONS

Jana was sitting in his small but cosy living room. His wife Suja sat across from him, while his 10 year old daughter Vinny sat on the carpet at their feet. Their teenage son Jeevan was sprawled on the armchair.

Suja: “I heard you met up with your old boss today?”

Jana smiled to himself, “He is in trouble now”.

Suja looked at him.

Jana: “I warned him many times that this would happen, but he never listened”

Vinny, who had been silent for while spoke suddenly : “Why do you say that?”

Jana just grunted.

Jeevan looked at him for a moment.

Suja : “He is such a nice man. And he deserves it”

Vinny : “You always say such things”

Jana : “That’s not the point at all. He just pushes his luck, and this time he pushed it too far”

Vinny : “That’s a nasty thing to say”

Suja: “Of course we feel good when such things happen to people we know.”

Vinny: “I just don’t think that’s right”

Jana : “What do you think we should do ? Rescue him ?”

Suja: “Is he at Kamunting ?”

Jana: “He could go to hell for all I care”

Vinny: “I just don’t want to be a part of this. Just leave me out. Bye Nimmi.”.

Suja: “Ok, Bye Sangeeta. We will meet up sometime.”

Jana: “Well, Prabhu, you go ahead and help him, I wont. Bye.”
Jana turned to his wife: “Krishnan is in trouble with loan sharks. Prabhu wants to help out. I told him I am not lifting a finger. Krishnan, he is incorrigible.”

Vinny: “Mom, I hate Nimmi. She is such a gossip.”

Suja: “Jana dear, I just spoke to Sangeeta. Her ex-boss Vino, remember him ? He has been promoted to Branch Manager. He is posted to Kamunting, so near his hometown. So lucky.”

Jana grunted. But he didn’t hear anything. He was dialing again. Vinny fiddled with the iPod. Jeevan glanced at them, and went back to his messaging. Suja picked up the Astro remote.