Splintered Lives (37 page)

“Oh thanks mate, says David.
 
We must ring Anne and Charlie as soon as possible, in fact as soon as we get to Sahida’s.”

Mark accompanied them back to Sahida’s and they started to prepare a meal for when Sahida returned from school.
 
The atmosphere had turned lighter as Mark and David put on a double act, to make Sarah laugh and by the time Sahida was home the three of them were in holiday mood.

They ate out on the terrace, their favourite place, and when it was time to go, they climbed into Sahida’s car, and with the two men joking and the four of them laughing, they arrived at Simon’s place feeling a lot less agitation than the previous night.

When they arrived there were two extra cars on the drive.
 
Mula and Simon came to the door before they could knock, and welcomed them all with open arms.

“Come and see Aunt Taz and Grandmother and Grandfather and this is James, an ex-army doctor who has come to work here.”
 
Simon introduced them.

Sarah went to Mrs. Menon and enfolded her in her arms and with tears in her eyes she told the Menons how sorry she was for keeping Simon a secret from them.
 
She made no excuses and Dr Menon moved towards his wife and Sarah and held them both.
 

“We understand how devastated you were when Taj died, and we should have done more for you at the time, but your parents came to take you home, and we did not hear from you again.” Dr Menon said in his quiet voice.

Sarah put her arms about them both and thanked them for the kindness and the great help they had given to Simon.
 
She introduced David and explained he was an old college friend, who Simon had taken to and claimed for a father.

She moved to Taz and said, “I remember you when your father took us all for dinner at the Fishtail Lodge and that was the first time I saw Taj.

We knew there was something going on because Taj came home less, but was seen on the mountain.” Taz said, with a wink at Sarah.”
 
A disturbed quietness came between them as they all remembered that terrible day when Taj was killed.

Sahida came to hug Sarah and said.
 
“We have had enough sadness for one day, come on, let’s go inside, Simon and Mula have another surprise for you.”

Mula’s grandfather was in the sitting room and he stood up to greet the newcomers.

Sarah saw how Mula loved the old man and she liked him immediately.
 
When they had all been introduced, Mula came in with a bottle of wine and some glasses and they all toasted the celebration of their meeting.

James and David took to each other, as they were on the same wavelength, and they had both seen a lot of the world, and found they had a lot in common.
 
Sahida and Mark were sat close to each other and could not keep their eyes off each other.
 
Sarah was filling in the many years since she had seen the Menons and Mula and Simon were thrilled by the good vibrations that were all about them.

David asked James about his army career, and was told that he had been a doctor, who dealt with battle trauma.
 
Mark was, and David had been, civil engineers and they had all three, traveled the world but until now James and David had not been to Nepal.
 
They both sang its praises and said they had never been anywhere as beautiful.

Sarah and David asked Simon if they could use the phone.
 
They rang Anne first, Sarah being so excited she could not speak quickly enough.

“Anne, darling, we have found Simon and he is a doctor here, in the Himalayas.”

“Please let me speak to him, Grandma has told me that he has lost his memory, is that true?” Asks Anne

“Yes it is, but I will ask him to speak to you.”
 
Sarah tells Simon, who was standing near by and he agreed, although somewhat reluctantly, as he wonders if he will remember her voice.
 
Sarah hands over the phone and Anne is ecstatic as she whispered,” Simon is that really you?”

Simon replies, “Yes I’m Simon, but I have lost my memory and although Sarah and David have found me here, I don’t remember them but I felt a connection to them, when I first saw them, I’m sorry I can’t recognize your voice, but you sound like a lovely sister.”

David took the phone from Simon and told her. “We have to be patient love and although he doesn’t know us, we know him, and he’s just the same as he always was, but he is now a joyous and caring man.”

David touches Simon’s shoulder as he puts down the phone.

“Don’t worry son, I will try to get some treatment for your amnesia, but your mother and I will never interfere with your life here, I promise you.”

Simon is confused after his talk with Anne and he wishes he could get his memory back.
 
Mula would have a sister-in-law; someone she could have in her life, about her age, Anne has two children and one a young baby.
 
He shrugged his shoulders and returned to the party.
 
Taz brought her camera and she took many photographs and promised to send copies to Sahida before the Thomas’s return to Britain.

After a lovely evening, Sarah and David say goodbye to everyone and Sahida and Mark leave with them.
 
The Menons and Mula’s grandfather are staying at Simon’s overnight because of the distance they will have to drive back to Kathmandu.

Chapter 52

The following day after Sarah and David have had a good night’s sleep, they met Mark at the hostel and began their trek up the lower slopes of
Annapurna
, visiting Sahida at the school.
 
Sarah had good memories of her time, teaching on the terraces, in the sunlight, under the white peaks.
  
Sahida was pleased to see the three of them and as it was her lunchtime, she walked a little way with them and stayed to have lunch.

“Why don’t you take the day off, now you are the boss, you can allow yourself a treat?”
 
Mark asks Sahida, laughing as he gives her arm a playful punch.

“I can’t do that! I have to show my staff an example, or they may all think that they can do the same.” She waved as she returned down the mountain, whilst the other three climbed upwards.
 
The sun was hot and the climb steep, but the three of them were really enjoying their trek.
 
Mark had to slow his pace to match theirs, but he was younger and fitter, although Sarah and David were competent walkers, they had not had a climb like this for a long time.
 
Sarah sat on a flat stone on the side of the path because she felt dizzy, as she looked down onto the forest, far below them.

“I think you have walked up far enough today.” David told Sarah as he saw the colour leave her face.
 
Mark looked concerned and knew it was time to return to the lower slopes.

“Come on Sarah, it’s time to meet Sahida, she will have finished school by now and we promised we would.”
 
Mark says, as he helped her up from her seat.
 
Sarah felt her heart beat more slowly as she carefully negotiated the steep terrain.

Sahida waited for them and they all returned to Pokhara.
 

The days passed and as David and James became friendly, David brought up the question of battlefield trauma and the treatment for it.
 
He thought that a similar treatment could help Simon to get his memory back.
 
James felt unsure as the trauma of war was horrific, and the treatment was very deep seated and severe, he told David.
 
Without a word to David he decided he would ask Taz her views on it, but he knew it was a delicate subject and head injuries could be serious and sometimes things were best left alone.

Sarah and David spent a lot of time with Simon and Mula, and the more they saw them the more they knew that Simon was living in the right place for him and his lovely wife.
 
When Mula took Sarah into her confidence and told her of the problems with her parents and her brothers, Sarah was astonished but she then understood the bond that was sewn between her grandfather and Mula.
 
Her heart went out to Mula and she was proud to have such a lovely girl for her daughter-in-law.

Sarah told David Mula’s story and asked him if they could stay until the baby was born, so that they could be there to support them when the time came.
 
She knew that the Menons would give them all the help, but the Menons were getting on in years, and Taz and Sahida were unmarried and they had no children of their own.

David agreed but he said that they could not stay forever on the hospitality Sahida was giving to them.
 
They should look for some accommodation near to Simon and Mule’s home.

The following morning Sarah was up with the larks, after telling Sahida that they ought to move out and give her home back.
 
David awoke to find Sarah humming around the apartment and already dressed.
 
He smiled at her enthusiasm and jumped out of bed to join her.
 
He was ready for the fray and they decided they would breakfast in the town.

“Sahida seemed pleased to have her home back. I think that Mark is interested in Sahida and from what I’ve noticed Sahida seems very pleased with that.
 
I think we have been playing gooseberries, David.”

David looked at Sarah with a smile.
 
“Are you playing matchmaker Sarah? I know what you mean; I noticed the looks and smiles passing between them?”

There is a shop where there are notices of flats to let for the many holidaymakers that are now arriving in this part of the world.

They entered and found the shop empty but there was a bell for them to ring for assistance.
 
After waiting a few moments, a young woman entered from the back of the shop and smiled a welcome.

“May I help you?” She asked in good English.

“We are looking for accommodation for a month or so.” David answered.

“Let me show you some, there are some photographs on the wall, can you see anything that you think may be suitable?” She asked.

Sarah was looking for something that might be near to Simon’s house and she found a flat in that vicinity.
 
She felt excitement at the prospect of being here in Pokhara when her grandchild will be born.

“David, may we look at this one?
 
It seems the same size as Sahida’s and it is quite near to Simon’s house.”

The flat is furnished and the price is reasonable.
 
“It won’t break the bank,” David said with a quick smile. “And we can invite back all the people who have shown us their hospitality.”

The deal is done and they moved in immediately.
 
Sarah looked around and loved the modern furniture, and the kitchen suited both her and David.
 
The towels and bed sheets were left on the bed and Sarah made up the bed and took the towels into the bathroom.

“I think we should christen the bed, I am frustrated by staying in someone else’s house, as I have been afraid to make a noise.”
 
David whooped as he fell backwards on the bed.
  
Sarah laughed and joined him.

They settled down and enjoyed their extended holiday.
 
Mula was getting near to her time and Sarah and David visited her every day.
 
Mula was grateful for their devoted care, she saw the love they had for one another, and she hoped she and Simon would keep the wonderful affection they had for each other, just like his parents had.

 
Mula awoke with great pain in her abdomen, and she cried out to Simon who was sleeping deeply, next to her.

“Please get your mother, Simon I think the baby is coming.” Mula cries out in fear.

“But you should be in the hospital love, I’ll take you now.” Simon replies.

“I want my mother but she will not come, please get Sarah.” Mula sounded breathless and Simon was upset and flustered.
  
Simon got dressed quickly and ran up the road to where Sarah and David were staying.

“Can you come quickly, Mula has started with the baby and she needs a woman’s touch.
 
She told me she is not ready to go to hospital and that you will know when it is time.”
 
Sarah dressed quickly and followed Simon down the path.
  
When she caught up with him she linked her arm through his, because the night was pitch black and the path was not very level.

“Don’t worry Simon, I have done this before for Anne, and I had my mother with me when I had you.
 
Girls want their mothers at this time.
 
I’m sorry Mula’s mother is out of her life, but I promise you that I will do my best to cover for her.
 
I think you have chosen well, she is the perfect wife for you, and the baby will soon be here, and the worry you are feeling now will soon be behind you.”

“Thanks Sarah, I feel more confident now you are here.”
 
Mula says as a greeting and Sarah gives Mula a hug and shoos Simon away from the bed.