“Oh, that’s perfect. I’ll take that one. Any seafood?” she enquired after the netted by-catch of small crabs and fish that often fleshed out a spicy curry.
“Only a small amount, I’m afraid. I would’ve kept more if I’d known you wanted it.”
“I’ll take what you have. I don’t need much.” She rested her bike on a coconut tree and sat contentedly next to Gregoire’s wooden shack, knowing she had what she required. Ajay had asked Marlon to catch fresh octopus for the curry, and Marlon would deliver, as always. He was reliable and would do anything for Nita Pape. She had not directly raised Marlon in her house, as with Jonah and Denis, but she had a soft spot for him, losing his parents at such a tender age. As a teenager, when he visited the house with Ajay, she would make sure she fed him until he could eat no more. She was never sure that he ate much at home despite his brothers’ assurances.
By midday, Nita was back at home. Marlon arrived to deliver the requested octopus. He had stopped at the front gate. A lifeless, purplish cephalopod dangled from the handlebars of his bike. “Yes, Mum,” he hollered to alert her to his presence. Marlon would never just walk into the house unannounced.
Such manners, she thought as her heart warmed on hearing his salutation. She was not his mother, but he was one of her boys. Nita greeted him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She quickly took the octopus and deposited it in the kitchen. Despite Marlon’s protestations that he had to hurry back to begin an afternoon guiding trip, Nita loaded his bike basket with packed meals that she had prepared for him before allowing him to go on his way.
The day had gone to plan and, as it neared seven o’clock, she was now in the final stages of completing the meal. Finishing off the preparations, she hummed contentedly. It was the small, thoughtful touches that created sensational meals. Basting the baked snapper with jus one last time to keep it moist, she placed the platter onto the long table. Nita ladled the octopus curry from the cooking pot into a shallow white porcelain serving dish, she fluffed the rice pilaf with a wooden fork and added finely chopped herbs, and then sliced lemons to accompany the fish. Her pride in the perfect meal included both taste and presentation.
“G’day. G’day,” Dink announced as they were on the path in front on Ajay’s parents’ house.
“Hi. Come on in,” Soval and Ajay responded together as they rose from their respective seats. Ajay went out first to greet their guests. Normally, he would wait for Soval, out of respect for him as the head of the household, but his father had not yet met Dink and Kylie.
Ajay radiated his excitement through his exuberant welcome, “Thanks for coming, guys. It’s so good to see you. Let me introduce my parents, Soval and Nita.” Greetings were quickly forthcoming with Dink handshaking heartily and Kylie kissing them all affectionately on the cheek.
Kylie got in first. “Thanks so much for inviting us. You’re so kind. Here, I’ve brought you a little something.” Exquisitely presented small gifts were produced for each of them.
Nita was overwhelmed, and a trifle embarrassed as she was the host of these guests, but she accepted the gifts graciously. “That’s so lovely. How thoughtful of you.” They were placed onto the side table for now.
Dink was going to add, “Normally, I’d bring wine,” but he and Kylie had discussed that as the Pape family did not drink alcohol, they would respect this. Instead, he prompted, “Try stopping her. I have, and it doesn’t work!”
“Please. Please, come on in,” Soval graciously ushered them inside. They all entered the cosy living room together and sat on the couches set in a neat oval arrangement. A large framed picture of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahai prophet, was displayed prominently on the beige wall, his bearded visage and intelligent eyes benevolently surveying the room.
“Juice?” Nita presented a silver tray of various nectars with accompanying glasses. “Ajay imports them.”
They all chose a glass and were served a drink. Settling back in his soft seat, Dink commented, “You are full of surprises, Ajay. You hadn’t mentioned your juice business.”
Ajay flicked a glance at Soval and seemed embarrassed. “It’s an importing business, trying to catch the trends of what tourists want. It’s not easy, or even lucrative sometimes, but I really enjoy it. I think tourism is the future of the local economy.”
“It’s clever,” Kylie added kindly, noting his unease. “Always good to be ahead of the trends.”
“You always are,” Dink joked, indicating her beautiful but simple flowing dress. The black dress had a delicate white and yellow frangipani print. She had purchased it earlier today at the boutique in La Porte. Kylie blushed at the compliment, but they both knew her style was always ‘on point’.
“You do look lovely, Kylie,” Nita agreed as she busied herself clearing drinks and headed for her kitchen. “I’ll just finish setting the table.”
“May I help,” Kylie offered but was gently waved away by Nita. Kylie had genuinely wanted to assist, and Ajay noted this, explaining jovially, “The kitchen is Mama’s domain. I wouldn’t dare step in there.” Kylie and Ajay exchanged knowing glances that conveyed this was just the way it was.
Not one for idle chat, Soval stated to the room, “I had hoped Ajay would have been university educated and have a profession, but he never seemed that way inclined, or he never applied himself.”
Dink was taken aback by this brutally blunt statement from Soval about his own son. He did appreciate the concept, if not the exact sentiment. “Everyone finds their own path, one way or another. My choices were my own in studying but it’s not for everyone.”
“You studied?” Soval asked, seeming shocked. Dink didn’t always look or act the part.
“Yes. I’m a doctor. I was recently working in Qatar.” At this, Kylie’s head swung around, concerned that Dink could be an open book at times. This was not the time or the place to discuss those events.
Soval was clearly impressed and interested, suddenly leaning towards his guests. “I see. Ajay never mentioned this.”
“I hadn’t told Ajay. It never really came up in conversation.”
“Well, maybe you’ll have a good influence on him.”
Kylie added her honest opinion, “As long as he has a good heart, and Ajay does from what I can see, then things will generally work out for the best.”
Soval was not to be redirected easily, replying, “Maybe, but a kind heart will only get you so far in life. Education is the key to advancement.” Ajay’s drooping face displayed his deflation.
“You are so lucky to be living on such an amazing island.” Kylie sipped her juice, hoping to redirect the conversation.
Soval swivelled to face her directly. He spoke calmly but somewhat sternly, “Even paradise has its limitations.”
Dink could see that Kylie’s hackles were rising and she was about to begin vigorously defending Ajay, and likely put Soval firmly in his place in the process. When she was impassioned, in Dink’s experience, she was not calm or reserved. She would have her say. He was preparing to defuse the situation with a light-hearted comment, but fortuitously, at that instant, Nita reappeared from the kitchen announcing, “Dinner is ready. Please come and help yourselves.” She took Kylie’s arm and gently escorted her onto the large verandah. Nita knew that Ajay’s career was a sore point for her husband, and he could be boorish and cruel about it at times. It was one of his faults, but she had learnt how, and when, to discretely manage the situation.
The food was laid out on a long table covered by an impeccably clean white tablecloth. Sea-blue linen napkins