RECAP

It is his first date, and Ramu is all at sea.  He gets into confusion and misunderstanding, and becomes a woman hater.

CHAPTER 13

After this Ramu never spoke to Lois again. She had changed her place in class and cut him dead.  

Ramu took on himself the role of a woman hater. He threw himself more deeply into his studies, and spent all his spare time in the library. The librarian Janet, a thin pony tailed girl with glasses, often tried to draw him into conversation, but Ramu cut her short, with curt remarks.  

It was almost time for the Easter Vacation. The confectioners were full of chocolates, bunnies and easter eggs. Fifth avenue shops sported spring dresses and coats of every hue.  

One day Bill came up to Ramu. Would Ramu like to spend Easter weekend with him? Ramu gladly agreed. Were there any foods taboo for Ramu on account of religion? By now Ramu had given up his vegetarian diet and was able to reassure Bill on that score.  

Bill lived in Westport, a small town in Connecticut. His father owned a leather goods store. His mother was a school teacher. Bill had a younger brother who was still at school and a sister who was in college. All this information Bill gave Ramu as they sat in the Pullman.  

He also told Ramu he hated his father.  

“He is a very dominating man. He never went to college, and said he saw no point in our going either. Fortunately my school teacher was able to persuade him I ought to go. My brother Jim is not keen on going to college anyway, and my sister Joanna will probably marry this present boy friend of hers. So we won’t be too much of a problem to father.”  

“It will be a pleasure to meet your family”, said Ramu. “Perhaps, Joanna will put me wise as to what I should buy for my younger sister”.  

“Joanna won’t be here” said Bill. She’s gone to Florida to spend Easter with her boy friend’s family”.  

Ramu who could not imagine any family festival without the whole family being present did not say anything.  

The train pulled into Westport. Bill’s father met them at the station.  

“Glad to meet you” said Mr. Walters, shaking Ramu’s hand. “Bill always writes about you. Well, I promise not to write to your mother all the things I hear about you from Bill.”  

Mr. Walters seemed pleased with his joke, but Ramu remembering the Lois episode blushed.  

They got into the car. Bill’s father proved to be a bluff hearty man. On the way home he fired Ramu with a barrage of questions. Did they have schools and colleges in India? Were there any industries there? Did not Ramu admire the standard of living in the States, and wish he could remain here?  

Bill was getting more and more embarrassed.  

“Dad”, he said “India is as civilized a country as America – even if they are slightly behind industrially”.  

“No harm in asking questions, is there young man?” said Mr. Walters.  

Ramu, who could imagine his mother giving the same quiz to any foreign friend of his, did not mind, but happily chatted away to Mr. Walters.  

They turned into a small green gate.

”Welcome home” said Mr. Walters getting out. 

To Ramu, sick of the impersonal atmosphere of International House, the words sounded like music. 

Mrs. Walters appeared at the door. She was neat and she looked exactly what she was, a suburban school teacher.  

She too made Ramu welcome, and looked at Mr. Walters, as if she were worried lest he had created a bad impression, on the way. Seeing Ramu’s happy smile she looked relieved and led him inside.  

“I’m sorry I can’t give you a separate room so I’ve put you with Jim. I hope you won’t mind. Have a wash and come down: dinner is ready.  

Dinner was a quiet affair. Only the four of them were there. Seeing Ramu look at the empty chair Bill asked, “Where’s Jim?

“Out with Jane” I suppose “said Mrs. Walters absentmindedly, as she ladled gravy on to potatoes. “I haven’t seen him, since lunch”. 

Ramu could not remember a day when he had been absent for meal in his parents home, without their knowing exactly where and with who he was, but he smiled indifferently to hide his surprise.  

Mrs. Walters had taken a lot of pains, to please her guest. She had brought out her best lace table cloth, and set candles on the table. In addition she had cooked a delicious shrimp pilau, the recipe of which she had learned especially for Ramu’s sake, as well as chicken with tomatoes. For dessert she had a feather light blueberry pie. She pressed second helpings on him, and seemed disappointed he did not finish off everything on the table.  

After dinner Ramu and Bill did the dishes, especially as Ramu insisted it would be fun rather than a chore for him to see the dishes being done in a machine.  

After this they chatted and watched T.V. Towards twelve Jim, a ginger haired boy of fifteen returned.  

“Hi,” he said giving Ramu a friendly grim. “Hi Bill”.   

He wished his parents good night and went to his room.  

Mrs. Walters looked at Ramu. We’re going for a drive tomorrow. In the evening we are having a little social at the Y. They wanted me to ask you to speak a few words on India. I know it will be difficult for you to make a speech for the first time, but please do try: it will please them so much”.  

The next morning they had a leisurely breakfast at ten. Jim had already left the house with a pair of roller states in his hand.

“I’m not coming”, he had announced. I’ve got a date to go bowling with Jane.”  

They all got into the car. Ramu was shown the sights of Westport – the town hall, the church, the park. After that they drove along the new England Coast. They stopped for lunch at one of the picturesque little eating places that dot, New England, to have clam chowder and chicken-in-a-basket.  

They got home only just in time to have a quick dinner and go to the social. Jim was there with a plump pimpled girl on his arm whom he introduced as Jane.  

After supper Mrs. Walters introduced Ramu, who made his speech, which everyone enjoyed.  

After this there was a programme of square dances. There was much merriment, clapping of hands tossing up of skirts and visions of layers of lace and nylon.  

When Ramu got home with the Walters he was dead tired. 

Easter Sunday began early with church. Mrs. Walters was very distressed, lest Ramu feel offended if they asked him to go. Ramu assured her that he did not mind at all, and had in fact been to church in India several times as he had studied in a Jesuit school. 

Unlike churches in India the church was packed. This was clearly the most fashion conscious day in the year. Every one was dressed in their best. Even Jim in a suit had come with the rest of the family.  

The altar was covered with banks of flowers. The sermon, was long and solemn. It was hard to believe this was the scene of last night’s festivities.  

After church, Ramu and Bill sat on the lawn at home chatting, while Mrs. Walters busied herself in the kitchen.  

Bill seemed a bit moody.  

“What’s the trouble” said Ramu: “trouble with the girl friend”.

“No”, said Bill pouring Ramu out a generous glass of beer, “trouble with the roommate, or rather trouble without a room-mate.”  

Bill had rented a room a short distance from Columbia. It was small and not too comfortable, but the rent was reasonable. The student who shared it with Bill was getting married, and shifting elsewhere.  

“It will be difficult to get another roommate. It’s a noisy area and only a hard up chap like myself would take it. I daren’t ask father to increase my allowance, so that I can keep the room to myself. You know how he feels about my going to college as it is, especially with this course taking longer than I thought.”  

Ramu did some quick calculations in his head. It would work out cheaper than International House, and it would be a change.  

“I’ll come”, he said.  

Bill was surprised.  

“I thought you were all fixed up at International House.”  

“It’s a bit too international for me. I need to be left to myself for a bit.”  

“Well if you are really keen, there’s nothing I’d like better.”  

Mrs. Walters called them in for Sunday dinner. When Bill announced that Ramu was going to be his new room-mate she seemed pleased.  

“It will do you good to get to know people from other countries better.”  

After dinner Bill took Ramu to call on a couple of neighbors. They were all pleasant friendly folks, who seemed glad to know Ramu and relieved to find the Indian was an ordinary normal person like any one of them.  

Only too soon it was time to take the train back to New York. “Come again” said Mrs. Walters, as they wished Ramu good-bye.  

Ramu who had not spent such a pleasant weekend since he had come to America had a lump in his throat as he wished them goodbye.

 

…to be continued

Previous Chapters