“I hope you’re referring to me when you say the girl because I, and I alone, am the one to blame.”
“Sarah, you know you belong with me…to me.”
She stood up and walked to the far side of the garden. Asha retreated farther into the thick growth that separated Sarah’s cottage and the school. When the man approached Sarah, he placed his hand on her shoulder. Even through the obstruction of branches, Asha saw the woman’s body shake as the sobs overtook her.
“Why do you even want me anymore? Why?” she screamed, hitting his chest. Although she didn’t understand, tears fell from Asha’s cheeks, rolling though the brightly colored powder decorating her face.
The man grabbed Sarah’s wrists and stilled them. “I’m going home, Sarah. That’s what I came to say to you. I’m leaving for London in less than a fortnight. Come with me.”
There was a long silence. Asha cupped her hand over her mouth and nose to conceal her sneeze. Sarah said something too low for Asha’s ears. Then he was talking again. He talked a great deal…too much. “You don’t even allow me the catharsis of hating you with all your damn righteous benevolence.”
Asha pushed aside some thicket, and through the opening of the vines, she witnessed a scene so shocking she almost screamed. The man had his hand on Sarah’s back and his mouth on hers. The evil man was attempting to pilfer Sarah’s breath just as he stole his own mother’s tongue. The little girl almost bolted into the clearing, ready to defend Sarah, but her knees gave out when Sarah’s hand caressed his cheek.
It dawned on Asha she’d observed a kiss, something she’d read about in fairy tales and theorized were rare, magical events. She’d never witnessed one. Her parents never kissed. They didn’t even hug. There were no displays of public affection in the village, at least not between adults.
“I’m going to hell,” Sarah said.
“I would chance an eternity in hell, because in you, I have found heaven.”
She pushed him away. “Go home, my sweet prince. Take a wife. Make your life. I’ll pray for you.”
His expression turned cold. “Save your prayers, Sarah. I don’t desire or deserve them.” He sighed and kissed her once more on the forehead. “I will always love you.” His voice had lowered to the volume of defeat, low and grim.
Sarah stood in a rigid stance, watching him walk away. When he was no longer visible, the nun slowly made her way back to the chair, her shoulders slumped unnaturally as she fell into the seat, as if she carried an invisible weight on them.
“I will always love you, too,” Sarah said, although he was no longer there to hear it…but Asha did.
Sarah buried her head in her hands. At first, Asha thought she might be praying, but then the sound came, a defeated, angry cry like she’d never heard. Sarah might be cross with the little girl for spying, but Asha had to comfort her. She covered the distance between them until she stood in front of the woman.
“Sister.”
Sarah looked up at her. “Naughty girl,” Sarah chided. “You know better, young lady.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You mustn’t tell.”
“I promise,” she said, although the whole secret wasn’t clear to her. “Why are you crying, Sister?”
“I am sad.”
“Did that man hurt you?”
“No child, I hurt him.”
Sarah held her arms out, and even though Asha was too big to sit in her lap, she did. The colorful powder made from spices rubbed off Asha’s face onto Sarah’s dress. She tried to wipe it away, but the bright stain simply deepened.
Sarah held onto her, and somehow Asha knew not to speak too much. She waited for Sarah’s tears to subside. It was apparent the man had caused much damage to Asha’s very special friend and teacher.
“One day, I will make him suffer for your tears, Sister,” Asha said with great drama and conviction.
“Asha, we don’t talk in such ways. Remember, your name means hope. Promise me you will always be the peacekeeper.”
Asha nodded, although silently she rationalized there were times when one had to make war to secure peace. And any man who made Sarah cry should be punished severely because, surely, this was a sin of great magnitude.
“I promise, sister,” she said to appease Sarah. She tugged on the nun’s skirt. “Come to the festival with me, sister. It will make you joyful again. The seasons are changing, and everyone is happy today.”
Sarah’s mouth curved slightly. After a few more pleading looks from Asha, she finally agreed. Hand in hand, they walked together toward town. Asha fit in with her clothes sprinkled in every possible color of the earth. Sarah looked odd and strange in her long western dress stained with pink powder.
Asha stopped at the temple and bowed before a plaster statue of an elephant-headed man.
“Do you know Ganesha, the Elephant God?” Asha asked Sarah as if she was making an introduction.
“I know of him,” Sarah said. “I’m aware of his origin and how he came to have an elephant’s head.”
Asha sighed, unimpressed. “Everyone knows that story, but did you know that Ganesha is the remover of obstacles?”
“How did he get such a prestigious title, little one?”
Asha smiled with excitement. The chance to teach her brilliant teacher presented a rare opportunity.
“Many stories exist, but there is one which is my most favorite. Shall I tell you?”
“Yes, please,” Sarah said, her sadness appearing to lessen.
Asha not only told the story, but she acted it out with gestures and dancing. “Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi were a divine couple. They lived with their two divine children, Ganesha and his older brother Karthik. The two brothers were as opposite as the sun and moon. Ganesha was fat with a big belly and an elephant’s head.” Asha jutted her belly out, which made Sarah laugh. “Unlike his brother, Karthik was a beautiful boy full of strength and energy. The brothers loved each other very much, and they had great love and devotion to their parents, who were the rulers of the universe.”
“Rulers of the universe? My, that’s a hard act to follow,” Sarah said.
“Yes, it is, but both boys were smart and wise. One day, the other Gods began to question which one should take over for Shiva and Parvathi. They had a competition to decide.”
“A competition?” Sister Sarah asked.
“Yes, the boy who could go around the world three times and return home first would be the best one.
Karthik, an athlete, immediately mounted his vehicle, the peacock, and rushed off on his voyage. He raced with great speed and grace. Ganesha was slow and fat. His vehicle was a rat.”
“A rat?” Sarah asked in surprise.
“Yes, Sister. A rat cannot beat a peacock.” The child sliced her hand through the air and shook her head as if to cement her point. “No way.”
“Certainly not,” Sarah agreed.
Asha smiled, tapping her head three times. “But wisdom is in the brain, not the body, and Ganesha didn’t need a vehicle at all. While Karthik flew around the world at lightening fast speeds, Ganesha circled his parents at a very slow pace. Once, twice, three times.” The girl demonstrated by walking three lazy circles around Sarah.
“His father asked Ganesha why he wasn’t racing and allowing his brother to win. Ganesha explained he had already won. Both parents were confused at first, but not after Ganesha enlightened them.”