Where is my Nest ? ( 19.08.2025 updated)
Where is my ‘Heimat’? (in German home/origins). Single, thirty-two years old. Simon Kika had never visited Goa.
He was born on the 5th of August 1950. He took the name of his grandfather who died before he was born but had the same birth date as him. His father and mother were Alex, and Laura had two other younger children, the girl Averill, and the boy Trevor. All three were born in Bombay.
Laura said to her three children,
“Would you three like to come on holiday to India and Goa?”
“Mum,”
Simon replied,
“That is great, what have we done to merit this holiday?”
Averill and Trevor were not too enthusiastic, as each had planned their own holiday with their friends.
His mother had broken the good news that the two of them were going to India, and then to Goa, for the exposition of the body of Saint Francis Xavier. Sadly, Alex had passed away a few years earlier.
Simon was thirty years old and loved the Goan tradition. Averill and Trevor because of their school, upbringing in London regarded themselves as British.
Laura and Simon flew to Bombay from London.
Their plan was to visit their relatives there and then go to Goa for the exposition.
James, Simon’s first cousin lived in Bombay. He was also interested in seeing the exposition of the body and kindly agreed to drive Laura and Simon to Goa. He had also taken four weeks off work.
James was one year younger than Simon.
For Simon, this was one of his most interesting holidays. Here he learnt so much about his heritage, and Catholic upbringing.
A series of events to support the exposition was planned to attract Goan tourists from round the world to attend this momentous occasion that took place every ten years on the anniversary of the Saint’s death.
Those four weeks were the most relaxing and interesting time he ever had.
Chapter 2 Our Villa
His ninety-year-old Grand uncle nicknamed Grandd had inherited a large Portuguese style house. The house was on top of a hill, a stone’s throw away from the Catholic church. A low two-foot wall surrounded the property, with a driveway leading to the front. At the entrance to the house was an open covered veranda with three long stone steps.
At the back of the veranda was a large, covered dance floor which could comfortably accommodate at least twenty dancing pairs doing the jive, a famous Goan dance. Music, dancing are an integral part of the Goan Culture. The high ceiling added to the ambience of a ‘Dance Hall.’ The house has a high ceiling.
This hall was used to host small family events. Many of them had a religious significance. What he later learnt was that each village had its own ‘patron saint.’ There are many villages in Goa, many more saints. So, this means you could ‘party,’ all the year round. Another reflection of their culture.
Next door were the toilet facilities. At the back was a door leading to a corridor where a large stone kitchen was housed.
Maria was the queen of the house. She was also the main occupant apart when frequently relations came over to stay.
The kitchen, for the Goans, is the most important room. They love their food, have two cooked meals every day. In those days there were no freezers, only fridges. This meant that food was freshly cooked every day. The marsala for the food is prepared daily, depending upon what Maria was putting on the dinner table for her guests.
She knew exactly what was needed, without referring to recipes.
With love and affection, she puts the combination of green chillies, fresh ginger, and garlic, in the large stone grinder. It is so heavy that it is on the floor A coconut scraper, is next to it also on the floor.
These are two essential pieces of equipment in the kitchen. Tamarin, green coriander, and fresh coconut are the essential ingredients for the Goan kitchen. Coal or wood is used to cook the food. Fish and pork and chicken are always found on the Goan menu card.
The chipped stone flooring means that the kitchen is cool
Simon said to James,
“I do not know about you, but I love my food, and often wear the apron string, and have my most creative moments there.”
Back to the description!
There were four large bedrooms with lofty ceilings with on-suite bathroom. However, in those days there were no facilities for running water. This meant that you had a shower outside by the well with ‘well water.’ This was a wonderful experience on a sweltering day. The alternative was that the water had to be heated first and brought to the bathroom. The bathwater was heated in large copper vessels. A small copper pot was there to help you pour the water over your body.
In each bedroom was a large four-poster double bed. This had curtains for privacy. On one of the walls was a curtain, behind was a large pole, and this was for hanging clothes. The floors were ornate with small mosaic blue and white patterned tiles.
At the back of the house was a large dining room with a king-sized dining table for eight people. Overlooking the dinner table was a large painting of ‘The Last Supper,’ in true Catholic style. At the back of the house was also a small veranda. You could go to the back without going through the house. Several large banyan and tamarind and banana trees provided shelter at the back.
The next neighbour’s house was about fifty meters away. It was Simon’s ‘paradise,’ from the first time he set eyes on it.
After a king’s meal early evening they all sat outside on the veranda each sipping a glass of ‘feni’ cashew or coconut in the cool of the evening. Two tipples the Goans love drinking.
On their first day back ‘Home,’ Maria, their host had prepared their Goa favourite fish dish. It is Ambotic (Shark curry). It was the first time Simon had ever eaten shark. What was remarkable is this fishes’ absence of the thorny fish bone from head to tail. It has a muscular bone without the barbs that most other fish have which gives it increased mobility. No ‘Thorny’ concerns when eating this fish. Maria had prepared this with fresh coconut juice, red marsala and served it with ‘Brown unpolished rice', straight from the paddy fields. It was to become his favourite dish. Unfortunately, shark is not readily available in most countries. The only sharks you get here is the two-legged variety. They fleece you for your money. What they have in common with those that live in the sea is, is that both have no backbone.
His first visit to Mapusa market took place the next day with Maria. It was a Friday, and ‘Fish Market Day.’ Only a 'Hop, Step and Jump' away.
Chapter 3 Fishermen
It
was the start of the day for him, his frequent early morning visits
to the beach at Candolim. The fishers with their nets and in boats
went out to sea every day in the early morning. They were normally
two or three men in the boat. They were only covered with a white
loin cloth to hide their modesty.
After
spending at least two hours out at sea, they return to the shore.
That is when the fun begins. The whole beach becomes suddenly alive,
full of people. The fishers beach their boats on the shore, far
enough to escape being swept out to sea when the next high tide comes
in.
There
were only men manning the boats. Suddenly women appeared with baskets
on their heads, dressed in red and green working saris barefoot. The
crabs scurried away back to their holes frightened by the sudden
excitement. A beautiful scene, the sea shimmers with the first signs
of daylight. It is peaceful.
Simon thought to himself.
“I
wish that God had given me the ability to paint. I am sure Van Gough
would be proud of me.”
Then
there was a small impromptu fish market on the beach, which lasted
for about thirty minutes. The women returned with freshly caught fish
in flat baskets delicately balanced on their heads with the help of
small coils. Time stays still,
“You
can roll back the centuries.”
The
choice of fish was great, small sharks, crabs, prawns, and mackerel
still alive, and kicking, make up this selection. A large part of the
catch went directly to the many restaurants and hotels in the area.
A quick look at his watch, he thinks aloud,
“It
is 7.30 am, time to return to my ‘Palace.’ I often bought fresh
fish, prawns for Maria’s culinary skills. I would then stop off on
the way to get some fresh toddy. “
This
white liquid is sweet. However, if the nectar is left in the sun, its
alcohol level rises dramatically.
Breakfast
with “Poi” or “Pao “meaning bread in Portuguese baked with
toddy. This was washed down with freshly brewed coffee and a glass of
toddy.
He wrote home to Averill and Trevor.
Chapter 4 The Letter
Dear Averill and Trevor,
“I have four weeks holiday here. What I have learnt have made me so proud to have roots here. I love the sea, fish, and have many of the traits that makes us ‘Goans.’ Add to it my love of fishing, hence my biblical name ‘Simon …...the Fisherman’ (without Peter).
“'God' was everywhere literally. Statues of Jesus, and Our Lady were on a little altar in the corridor. Day and Night incense burned. There were other religious pictures there which reflected our Catholic heritage.
Averill and Trevor, pity you did not come with us, you would have learnt a lot about Goa, our Portuguese heritage, why we are Catholics and finally our food, music and hangups. “
Simon.
The
small but well-kept Catholic Church was only a stone’s throw away.
There was service every morning at six, which was attended by many,
including Maria and Laura.
Simon
went there mainly for Sunday service at 10 a.m. You could say 'The
presence of God was felt everywhere'.
The
rosary was said every day after the meal before they retired to the
veranda.
Chapter 4 Maria
She was the ‘Patron ‘of the house and kept it running smoothly and was for extended periods alone. Something that disturbed him. However, the neighbours popped in and out daily. They needed no invitation, and she as well often without invitation ate with them at their dinner table.
Maria, slightly built, slim was only five foot three. She however was worth her weight in ‘Gold.’ She never complained, he later learnt how she came to be here, which shocked him. Something that apart from his name he inherited from Grandfather Romeau, he recorded in a diary.
He however only recorded interesting, unusual, or shocking events. Keeping a diary, and recording interesting things, he later learnt was something that he had inherited from Grandfather Romeau.
14th December Diary entry.
“I will now tell you something about our shady past.
As
you are aware still centuries later there is still an active ‘caste’
system in India. This means that the lowest caste, the
‘Untouchables,’ have till today extraordinarily little chance of
improving their economic or social standing. This is despite moves to
define a minimum percentage of this deprived class that should be
employed in government institutions.
Marriage for these in this
bottom rung is only possible within this level. If you are lucky, you
may be able to marry someone one rung higher. This means that women
in this category, when they have children often cannot look after
their child. This is also true if the child was born out of wedlock.
When
either of the two alternatives happen, the poor woman must give her
child away. Can you imagine that a mother is forced to give up her
own flesh and blood as she is poor?
If the child is a girl,
then it is given to a family higher on the ‘Caste Social Ladder.’
The poor girl when she is slightly older, often has no education, and works as a servant there. There is no contact with the mother. I was shocked when I discovered this there. A poor human being cut off from her natural family, and then having to work as a house housekeeper for a richer family.
Maria is one of these poor unfortunate children. My uncle however treated her like his own daughter. She is a lovely person, despite her unfortunately circumstances. I have seen incidents where the girl is treated like a slave. I ask myself how we can treat a child like that. The poor child goes through life, becomes a woman, she does not have an education, know who her parents, or mother was and most important not have any family of her own.
If
it is a boy, then he is packed off to the seminary to become a
priest. Normally one joins the priesthood, or becomes a nun, when you
have a vocation. This is not true here. This type of child is
referred to as ‘Poskem.’ Often when the boys get older, they
leave the priesthood and get married.
Maria is like one of the family and runs the ‘Goa House.’ She receives money from our relatives for performing this and was not destitute. However, she has no chance of having her own family. I took her to my heart as she is ‘Gold.’ She is one of the luckier ones. “
Chapter 5 The Evenings
You could hear your heartbeat; it was so quiet. No traffic, the Portuguese style villa was on top of the hill.
Simon’s ninety-year-old granduncle Peter D’Souza, nickname Grandd, told them family stories. He purred with delight. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Initially he told James, Laura, and Simon about the family history. There was an old family album there which he dug out.
The
old touched up brownish grey photographs revealed the dress sense
then. Portuguese style, but you could see that they were monied.
As
they meticulously went through the photographs, they all had some
text as to the date, and the person/s there. If it was an event, it
was also specified.
He
had a little story to tell about each one.
Simon wished that he had a tape and cam recorder to capture what he said about the people. Grandd told these like a little schoolchild and supplemented his commentary with one or two interesting titbits.
There was a relation, Doreen. She was apparently possessed.
Grandd said,
“Simon, James, and Laura do you believe in the supernatural?
Simon was sceptical, Laura, a devout Catholic was not. James was unsure.
He continued,
“Doreen Kika was possessed. You will never believe it. See this picture of her as a seventeen-year-old girl, she was pretty. Then something inexplicit happened and she was possessed. She sat on a leaf of the Banion tree”
James and Simon giggled, and then Simon said.
“Grandd pull the other leg, you cannot be serious.”
Grandd then continued,
“It is true, I saw this with my own eyes. We had to get Father D’Souza to exhort the evil spirit to leave the poor girl. She then came down and wondered what all the fuss was about. She had no recollection that she was possessed and sitting on a leaf.”
Laura then said,
“Simon, that is why we have come to Goa to see in flesh and blood, Saint Francis Xavier. There is a supernatural, and we are all on this earth for a purpose. When we die depending what type of life we had will determine where we go next. That is why I was so happy that you decided to come for the ‘Exposition,’ you will believe that there is a life after death. “
There were a few events that were planned in Goa to commemorate the ‘Exposition of the Body of Saint Francis Xavier.’
The more interesting characters, Great Grandfather Simon, nicknamed Romeau. He was an ‘Entrepreneur,’ a Goan Doctor Livingstone, Simon had initially assumed, only to be told otherwise the apparent reasons for his ‘African Adventure.’
Time stood still. Grandd, stayed there for about one hour, before retiring to bed. It was Simon’s first visit to Goa, and his knowledge of his culture there before was zero, so he asked Grandd to tell them more.
Then the 'Flood Gates' opened, and this was the case for the rest of their holiday. It was just like the passing down of the culture from one generation to the next. One thing led to another and soon he told them about Great Grandfather Simon.
The stories about the romantic, carefree great grandfather Simon, his amorous adventures were the cause of much amusement. Hence his nickname ‘Romeau,’ which translates from Portuguese to English as ‘Romeo.’
“Simon, you know you are just like him with your curly hair, slim in stature and off course your name. Are you romantic as well?"
Simon stayed quiet. He was a ‘Leo,’ like him, but born on the fifth, Romeau on the tenth of August and was also amorous. He then handed Simon a few 'Love Letters', from “Romeau.” This was the key to the mystery which led Simon to this interesting adventure.
Chapter 6 The Rarified Air that hung over Goa and the myths.
Christianity and the Catholic Faith
On this religious note you must be aware that there is something special in the air in Goa. It is by the sea, so the air is fresh, tastes salty.
However, there is also another mysterious cloud that hangs over this paradise. It is wrapped in a few similar but unexplainable layers of intrigue.
Tales
of the unexpected, together with the religious aspects interwoven
forced Simon to resort to unusual means to try and unravel the
mystery about their clan culture. He wanted to have a seance.
Before embarking on this holiday, he had done a lot of groundwork on the history of Goa as he did not want to look like `The village idiot.’
He said to James, Laura and Grandd.
“I will give you all a brief history lesson, free of charge.
Let me start with the easiest, that is religion. The country before the Portuguese arrived was Hindu.
Francis
Xavier was himself responsible for the spreading of Christianity in
Goa, which was colonised by the Portuguese.
Francis became a
priest in 1537 and initially spent his time in Portugal caring for
the sick. For his work, three years later together with his companion
Ignatius the Pope rewarded them when he decreed that the Jesuits were
a religious order.
He
was sent on a mission to India by the then Portuguese King to
continue his excellent work in the new colony. On his thirty-fifth
birthday, he set sail for Goa and there, he found that the Portuguese
colonists through their bad behaviour had given the Church a bad name
with the locals.
He tried to amend this. Looking after the poor, the sick, he increased his stock with the locals. Subsequently he instructed them on God and Christianity. His spartan lifestyle, living on rice and water found favour with the local poor. He converted many of them to Christianity. He had problems with the richer both Hindu and Muslims, who were later persecuted and fled Goa to the British occupied Indian sub-continent where there was no persecution. The devout Jesuits managed to put the fear of God, and overnight a strong strand of Christianity spread over Goa.
One
stain on his accomplishments was that he introduced the Spanish style
‘Inquisition ‘, that was imposed on the Hindus. After working in
Malaysia and Japan he then died on December 3rd
in fifteen fifty-two, from a fever.
It is rumoured that his body was on its way to Portugal for burial, but when the ship stopped in Goa, it could not go further, as if was a miracle. So, his body was kept in Goa.
What is remarkable is that till today the body is still intact, albeit it has shrunk. The flesh and blood remain, and there is an exposition of his body every ten years, in the Church at Bom Jesus, Goa. He was made a saint in 1622. “
He finally added that most of the information came from
“Portuguese Era and Colonial Legacy” book that he had purchased and read and showed them the book to prove that he was not lying.
Laura then said,
“Before they left India in 1954, India had become Independent in 1949, after the Second World War. A few years later “It was not possible to go directly to Goa from India.” In 1961, India in a matter of days took over Goa with very little resistance from the Portuguese, and on December 19, 1961, Goa was formally integrated into the Indian Union as a union territory.”
Chapter 7 The Exposition
James, Grandd, Laura, Maria and Simon planned to see the ‘Body of Saint Francis Xavier ‘together. However, Maria and Grandd had been for two previous expositions. It was the first for James, Laura and Simon.
Is there a life after death? Many people are sceptical. Simon believed that there is a life after death was in line with his belief in God. He was however unsure what form it took.
They all queued up for hours to see the body. Simon however recalled many years later and still had a vivid recollection of what he saw.
He said,
“The body was in a glass case to prevent further deterioration from the atmosphere. The ‘Shroud’ had shrunk and was then only about three to four feet in length. All the human attributes are there to see. It was fully clothed, and the face was visible and not covered. It was visible through the glass case. “
As a devout Catholic, this was an interesting experience. His belief in God, a life after, and spirits in whatever form was reinforced.
Chapter
8 Ghosts, Spooks the Supernatural
There
are other interesting, related themes relating to 'Haunting and
Ghosts' which have further reinforced his view that there is a
supernatural. Many other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism are also
based on this belief. For all the reasons he has listed so far, the
supernatural exists, our inability to explain these events does not
make them a phantom of our imagination.
A
couple of days later, after he had milked Grandd dry about his
grandfather, James and he had spoken about what they both had learnt.
In this process each had each downed three bottles of Kingfisher
Beer.
Chess
that evening was not a viable proposition, so they started talking
about Romeau and what Grandd had told them.
Simon had a brainwave; would it not be nice if we could get more information about the ‘Amorous adventures of Romeau’?
Grandd had mentioned that there was a black box in the room that used to be Romeau’s. He had no idea what was in there. They decided to stop for the day then, and the next morning to look for this ‘Black Box.’
Chapter 8 The Discovery
The next morning James and he were not in a fit state to see what the fishers had caught. They both had consumed Feni, and beer.
Maria would have to cook something else for their evening meal.
They had a late breakfast/ early lunch at 11 a.m.
The brain fog cleared after having Maria’s simple bowl of congee with pickles.
Congee is boiled rice in water, which is quite tasteless. It is accompanied with pickles, or something sweet.
After this they went to talk to Grandd, to retrieve the ‘Black Box’.
Unlike
the ‘Black Box’ that must be recovered when a plane crashes, this
they thought would be a simpler matter.
Do
you know what happens when people get old, their memory fades.
Grandd,
“Maria, can you remember where we put the letters from Romeu Simon? They were all in a ‘Black Shoe Box."
Just like the shoes, the box went walkies!
Maria said,
“You put it in the trunk with old photographs and other mementoes.”
Grandd
replied,
“Of
Course, how stupid of me! Please Maria can you get it?
We will
be sitting at the dining table “.
James and Simon went to help the poor girl, not knowing how heavy the trunk was.
Grandd suggested that they all should get something alcoholic to drink to prepare for the shock.
He knew full well the amorous side of Romeau.
He turned round to James and Simon and said.
“You know, true to his nickname, Casanova was his older brother.” That is why he got this nickname in his youth.”
“ Grandd, does this trait run through the family?”
Grandd embarrassed replied,
“From what I heard you have also been ‘bitten,’ is this not true Simon!”
They rolled up their sleeves and placed the black metal trunk on the floor on a rug by the dining table. Maria inserted the key, turned the lock to reveal all the dark secrets that were in there.
Simon then said,
“Grandd,” are any of your dark secrets also here? Do you want to remove them before we see them?
Any Skeletons in your cupboard?
Was that the reason you have poured us all a stiff Brandy? “
To make sure that nothing was misplaced, Simon decided that they should make an inventory of what secrets were buried.
He said,
“James, please can you do the honours to make an inventory of what we find?”
With that settled they all, Maria, Grandd, James and Simon prepared themselves for any ‘Ghosts’ that might have made their way inside the trunk. You never know whether there were any ‘Guardians” for these secrets. The trunk was covered in dust, as it had been hidden away for decades. They placed it on the floor in the dining room on an old rug.
Maria removed the rusty lock. There was a deadly silence in the room. It was not like opening your wrapped present under the Christmas tree, as you know that opening it would be a pleasant surprise.
James armed with pen and paper, wrote on his note pad, who were there at the opening ceremony, with date and time.
Simon took a selfie with the four of them by the trunk. They all decided that they then would take a decision collectively what were to be the next steps after evaluating what had found.
There
were many old photographs in unsealed envelopes which they placed on
one side for later examination. They then found bundles of old
letters bound by string. These were also placed carefully on the
dining table. You could hear a pin drop.
Grandd face turned ashen, as this had revived many memories. Not all of them were positive. Reviving these after so many years brought tears to his eyes. Maria was also emotionally touched, as some of the letters touched on her past, and how she came to live there after her birth. A ‘Poskem’ child. It was quite an emotional moment for all of them. James and Simon quickly ended this ‘Living Nightmare’ for Grandd and Maria.
They
put all the contents back in the trunk. However, they first made a
couple of interesting discoveries. Great grand dad, Romeau, returned
after his African adventure to Goa, married Anisha and returned later
alone to Africa. Anisha joined him a few years later with their two
adopted children. Anisha was also a Goan, but was a Hindu, and
lived in Mumbai. The plot thickened.
What Simon had previously
planned to uncover the truth, namely having a séance was no longer a
practical alternative.
There
was too much emotion from Grandd and Maria. They had enough evidence
that it was Romeau who had started off on the ‘African Adventure.’
James and Simon alone would then go back to ‘Pandora’s Box’
without the other two.
This episode of ‘Pandora’s box ‘had
put the mockers on their later evening conversations between the
four.
The fall out of this episode!
Their subsequent chats on the veranda, yielded positive results, even though they had uncovered painful memories for both Grandd and Maria.
Grandd had not been to Bombay for many years, and Maria had never stepped foot outside Bastora, Panjim and Mapsa.
Off-line with James, Simon and James decided to treat Grandd and Maria to a short holiday to Bombay. They would return with them to Goa. The next-door neighbour, Maria’s friend could keep an eye on the house for this short break. This was a gem of an idea, and it mushroomed in Simon’s fertile brain into a plan. He loved travel by ship and had not been on one since he was seven.
Simon went to the travel counter, in Panjim, and made some inquiries regarding travel by ship to Bombay. The journey lasted about four hours to Bombay. There were twice weekly crossings. The ships were comfortable. These were ‘Liners,’ which travelled round India on mini cruises.
After talking with James, the two decided to break the news to Grandd and Maria. A quick decision was needed from both as the ship was leaving in three days-time. The plan was to get the ship to Bombay. Spend three days there, before returning to Goa. In Bombay, James’s family lived. This for James’s family would also be a pleasant surprise.
The next morning at the breakfast table, James and Simon broke the news to them, hoping for a positive response. Both were overwhelmed.
Maria said,
“Simon, I have nothing to wear?”
Simon smiled and said,
” Then come as God made you or better still in the ‘Emperor’s new clothes. No seriously Maria, if you agree, we will go into town all four of us to get some ‘Fancy Dress for you and Grandd!”
A large smile appeared on her face, and she came over to both James and Simon and gave them both a big bear hug.
Simon said,
“Maria , you and Grandd deserve a holiday. I am sure that you have never had one!”
She cried and gave them both another bear hug.
Simon then said,
“Grandd, the ball is in your court, Aye or Nay.
“James and Simon, “
He said,
“Thank you very much. Can we go shopping now?”
James
said.
“We are leaving in thirty minutes, for clothes and shoes for you both, so please get ready. Maria has the day off, so we will eat out.”
As this was going to be a shopping spree for our two guests, they decided to go to Panjim.
An early Christmas present for both.
The shopping spree lasted for a couple of hours, as Simon accompanied Maria, and James accompanied Grandd.
They decided to have a late lunch at ‘Spice Goa,’ in the centre of Mapsa.
They ordered a takeaway for the evening.
In India, and Kenya, it was customary to have two cooked meals a day, lunch, and evening meal. They all had non-alcoholic cocktails, with the meal.
The
smell of the food being freshly prepared wafted from the kitchen to
them in the restaurant. The salt in the air, Simon’s empty stomach
rumbling and grumbling. The restaurant was empty except for them.
James said,
“If you blindfolded me, I would be able to tell you in which country I was in, only by the smells.”
James had Mutton Xacuti (SHAGOTI in Konkani),
Maria had RECHEADO (Baby Tambuso (Red Snappers),
Grandd had RECHEADO Paplet (Pomfret),
Simon had GOAN CHILLI FRY Prawn.
The food was delicious,
Grandd said,
“Did you all enjoy your meal?”
James said,
“Yes, the food was excellent, but Maria cooks better!”
They all agreed.
They went home at 3.30 p.m. fully satisfied on their days’ work, and on a full stomach.
All
of them were looking forward to the mini cruise and holiday. Both
Maria and Grandd had their outfits for the trip.
The next day
James went to book the short voyage to Bombay.
Two
days later they got aboard their ‘Cruise ship,’ it was the first
for both Maria and Grandd.
Two short blasts from the ship’s hooter at 10 a.m., and they were on their way. As the trip was supposed to last for about four hours, there was no need to book a cabin, only sitting places.
Chapter 12 Bombay Retracing Grandad’s steps!
After they visited the cages, they decided to go to the company Shan Brothers that had employed Great Grandfather Romeau on his African escapade. Simon and Brian gave Simon Kika’s name to the manager. And after telling him a bit about Great Grandfather, the manager passed Simon Kika’s name to the records clerk who rummaged through their archives and unearthed a 'Treasure Trove' . A quick browse of this file revealed 'Faded brown coloured `letters in the file labelled 'Simon Kika', they promised to copy the file and send it to them to Goa . Simon and Brian paid them one hundred rupees for this 'Gold Dust'.
The ‘Gold Dust’ in a large packet arrived a few days later.
James and Simon needed one full day and a half to decipher the Hindi, and Goan correspondence of what they had received. Names cropped up that seemed familiar when they had previously opened the trunk. Simon asked Grandd for permission on the understanding he and Brian would tell him and Maria of their further discoveries.
Chapter 13 To Romeau’s Place of Rest.
As in Goan culture it is usual to visit the graves of friends and relatives in India when possible.
Simon said to Grandd,
"Both James and I would like to pay our respects to Great Grandad, Romeau. Do you know where he is buried? In his testament, he had specified that he wanted to be buried in Goa, his 'Home'."
Grandd said,
" Yes, I do know where he is buried, we can visit the grave tomorrow if you both would like it. It is in Balbot, Bastora."
Both James and Simon said that would be fine.
Grandd said,
"Is eleven o'clock fine?".
Both James and Simon nodded their heads in approval.
Simon had other ideas for the visit, and asked James to take him to Mapsa as he wanted to buy two good bottles of alcohol. A bottle of Cashew and a bottle of Coconut Feni and some small snacks. He had not yet informed the other three what he had in mind.
He also needed folding garden chairs and table and a white tablecloth. Maria gave these to him when he asked her, she did not suspect anything and did not ask him why he wanted these things, as he said that at some time he wanted to go fishing and have a small picnic with the four of them.
James without asking why, gave Simon the keys to his car. Simon then quietly put the two bottles, tablecloth, five glasses, which he had quietly taken from the drink’s chest, and carefully placed them in the boot of James ‘car.
James drove the four of them to the cemetery. Grandd, took some time in locating the tombstone for Romeau. The grave was overgrown, as Simon had suspected, and had as insurance also put some garden equipment in the boot of the car, if necessary, to restore some order.
“Grandd,”
Simon asked,
“When were you last here? This or the previous century?”
Grandd , his face reddened.
Then Simon said,
“Grandd, James, Maria please come with me to the car.”
The three of them looked puzzled but did not question him.
The scene was set for his next ‘act.’
Maria had brought a flowering pot which they placed on the tombstone.
Simon needing a breadth of fresh air and to stretch his legs said,
“I will go for a short two-minute walk before joining you at table.”
On his return he set the folding table and five chairs up, put the white tablecloth on the table, and the five glasses upside down opposite each chair.
Then he took out the brown paper packet, and placed the two bottles, on the table.
He then said,
“My friends, most Goans are superstitious, so are you. Please sit round the table and join hands to form a ring. We are going to have a séance.”
You should have seen the blank looks on their faces.
They all looked at him shocked.
He said,
"I am sorry, it has taken us a long time the best part of an hour to restore some sort order to the grave."
Grandd then said,
“The fifth place, who is that for?”
Simon then said,
“Romeau! Did you not guess?
I also asked him if he had time to join us, and he replied that he has a lot of time on his hands, and when the entrance to his home was cleared, he would join us.”
He continued,
“Please sit on the four chairs. Place an upturned glass in front of you.
The fifth he placed in front of the empty chair. He added,
” Please sit now.”
They looked at him with bewilderment.
He went further and said,
“Can we please join our hands and form a circle.”
James said,
“Mate, what are you playing at, making fools of all of us?”
There was a deadly silence for what seemed an eternity, it was only for about a minute. The whole cemetery was quiet. There were some banyan trees which suddenly began swaying, although there was no wind.
It was still twelve noon, but suddenly there was an eerie darkness. Not totally, only partial.
Simon felt a cold chill in his body. He thought
“… what is happening to me?
As if I was possessed, I stood up, and my body was not controlled by me. I felt something entering it invisibly. It felt that I was outside my own body, it suddenly felt very chilly.
I opened my mouth, and words flowed from it. These were not mine, and the voice was rough, and not my voice.”
“I am Romeau, talking through Simon.
Romeau then said,
“Thanks Simon, it is a long time."
Simon then said.
"What would you want to drink, ' Coconut or Cashew Feni?'
He replied,
" Coconut please Simon."
Simon responded
“My three good friends, I have asked Romeau to tell us his story. His African adventure and the fallout from it.
'The voice from the Grave!”
(the story of the voice from the grave follows)
“Romeau,“
Simon said,
” The floor is yours.”
They were so intrigued with what he had to say. So many questions. He had joined a lot of dots, which had made his story intriguing. He had the floor for one hour.
Simon then stood up and said,
“Romeau, thank you for this. Please take a seat and join us at table. Ladies and gentlemen, you can ask our honoured guest questions, please avoid asking him embarrassing ones. We are in the cemetery, no questions about his love life please. He has remained celibate for an extraordinarily long time. His innings is complete.
Please raise all your glasses, and I offer a toast to him.”
Comments