92 Samir Buys A House (2/2)

”Fish curry.”

Samir grimaced. He said:

”I wish we had a little more variety. Don't look at me like that, you're the best cook in the world, but it's getting monotonous - fish this, fish that. Maybe we should slaughter a goat in Kulaba, and send in some meat? What do you think?”

”I think it's a stupid idea,” said Rani, putting the pot with the rice onto the stove. ”We need to grow that herd as fast as we can.”

”There are a couple that don't give any milk.”

”That might change.”

”You really think so? They aren't too old?”

”No.”

”Should we wake Amrita to eat with us?”

”No, it's better to wait until we're ready to go. She can stay awake then, and watch over things.”

They continued to talk while they ate: there were very many things waiting to get done in both of their worlds. Samir became increasingly aware even twenty people wouldn't be enough to do what needed to get done. Their colony needed thirty, forty, fifty people! The moment he finished eating, he stood up and said:

”I'll go and see Sunil now, and take him at least a few pieces of firewood. Maybe he knows someone who could help us with building a staircase.”

”Come back soon,” said Rani. ”There is a lot to do in Kulaba. And I need to talk to you about something too. Before we lie down.”

Samir thought she had a funny look on her face when she said that, and he instantly became apprehensive.

”Is it something bad?” he asked.

”No. It's neither good or bad. It's just something I've noticed about myself. Something new.”

”All right,” said Samir, frowning. ”I'll be back as soon as I can.”

He left the house and began walking across the field to Sunil's house. The weather had definitely changed for the better, and the sunset was spectacular. The muddy field with its struggling seedlings, the dilapidated, ramshackle houses on its perimeter all seemed beautiful in the golden light.

Samir felt slightly guilty: he hadn't told Rani that he was also going to ask Sunil to join their colony in the New World. Sunil was quite good with his hands - he'd showed Samir a few things he had done around the house, and Samir had been impressed. Sunil's wife was an accomplished seamstress, and they would need lots of clothes for the new colonists. Best of all, Sunil had two teenage sons, and a daughter that was approaching puberty.

Very importantly, Sunil lived very close by. He and his family could continue living in their house while colonizing the New World. It was a win-win situation.

It was very unfortunate that Rani hadn't taken to Sunil.

”There is something oily about this man,” she'd said after meeting him for the first time. It was true: there was a certain insincere slickness in Sunil's manner, Samir had noticed it too. But he didn't think it important.

”Some people simply don't have the social skills you have, Rani,” he'd said, and she'd smiled and never broached the subject again.

But now, as he approached Sunil's house, he remembered her words and worried. He worried that Sunil would try to pull some sort of number - denounce Samir to the authorities? Demand payment for his colonial duties? Deceive Samir in any number of ways? And what would happen if Sunil managed to buy a colonizer's license too, and started bringing in his own people? That could end with his taking over the colony.

The kids were a much safer option. They were practically guaranteed to be obedient. And with time, they could be trained to remain obedient even once they grew up.

He needed 360,000 rupees, fast! He had no choice. He had to try and recruit Sunil. And Rani had to find at least a couple of well-grown boys at the market. Whatever Sunil's future plans might be, he wasn't the type of man to attempt any funny business when the numbers were against him. Samir reminded himself that he was on a lucky streak. Everything would work out.

He kept repeating that to himself all the way to Sunil's house.

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