The Storytellers Secret by Sejal Badani

Author:Sejal Badani
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781503949089
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2018-08-31T23:00:00+00:00

“Ravi?” I knock on his door and wait. I had promised him I would come by after visiting the property office.

A boy, taller than me, opens the door. He’s in the same uniform I’ve seen the village children wear to school—a white top over brown shorts with ankle-length socks. Wire-rimmed glasses cover his deep-set eyes.

“Namaste.” I glance over his shoulder into the house. “Is Ravi home?”

“You are my great-grandfather’s guest, from America?” At my nod, his young face lights up. “I am Amit, his great-grandson.” His English is formal, with each word clearly enunciated. “My great-grandfather speaks of you often. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“You live a few villages over?” I ask, remembering Ravi mentioning it.

“Yes.” He motions me into the house. “Can I offer you some water or cane sugar juice? I will go to the market now for it.”

“No, please.” I stop him with a hand on his, touched by his nervousness. “Water would be wonderful, thank you.” He uses a ladle to fill a glass from the boiled pot. “You just returned from school?”

“Yes. I come as often as possible to check on Dada,” he says, using the Indian word for grandfather.

He sits cross-legged on the floor while offering me a folded chair. I join him instead, folding my legs beneath me. Though his face shows his surprise, he says nothing.

“What grade are you in?” I ask while sipping the lukewarm water.

“Eighth.” A blush spreads across his cheeks. “They moved me up a grade because of my test scores.” He fiddles with the strings of the rug we’re sitting on. “Do you like India?”

“Yes, very much.”

Though my leaving for India was an excuse to run away, I have since learned about the women who came before me. Understanding each event, each detail that shaped their lives, is helping me to better understand mine.

I once interviewed a New Age guru who spoke about how unfinished business from ancestors can trickle down to generations twice, even three times, removed. Actions in the present can help to correct the mistakes made in the past. And even if there is no absolution to be had, an understanding may help keep the same mistake from being repeated.

“Your Ravi Dada has been kind to me,” I say.

“He told me once that people will forget many things, but they will never forget a person who shows them kindness.”

“He is a very smart man,” I say, sure that Ravi had been talking about my grandmother. “Maybe you take after him?”

“I would be blessed if that was true.” He uses the bottom of his shirt to clean Ravi’s extra pair of glasses. “How many children do you have?”

Though the reminder stings, I take no offense at his innocent question. All over the village, women my age are mothering three to four children. One will be draped over her while others follow on foot. “I am not as blessed as your Ravi Dada to have a lovely child like you in my life.”

“That is charitable of you to say.

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