-“Even better, that way I can tell people I was at MIT.”
Nilanthi accepted his offer and also to take the route along Memorial Drive. As they were walking, she wanted to know if her first impression had been correct.
-“That's right! There are several different types of blood running through my veins than you could ever imagine, even a bit of Indian.”
-“What a combination!”
- “No, sorry, not Indian from India, but native American blood.”
-“I'm not Indian either, I'm Sinhalese of Indian origin.”
-“Which means you come from Singal...”
-“From the island of Sri Lanka.”
-“Of course, I was just about to say it!”
For Woody, bursting in laughter was just another way to admit his ignorance.
-“I'm sure you're accustomed to very different brains in there,” he said, pointing to MIT with the tip of his chin.
-“My adoptive father didn't finish his studies, but he's the best man I know!”
-“I have hope then! Like when the warden would tell me he'd let me out early for good behavior... oops.”
Woody covered his mouth with a hand and smiled, as he added
-“Perhaps you had already understood it from my tattoos”.
He sat on a bench and she immediately followed suit.
-“Were you in jail?”
-“I'm afraid so!”
-“May I ask why?”
-“For a fight and resisting arrest. I was part of a gang down in Coney Island.”
-“Coney Island? Then, you're one of the Warriors of the night!”
-“Not really. Beside, I'm not in it anymore. I'm trying to get my act together and stopped getting in trouble for almost a year now. If I resist until my twenty-first birthday, this August, my uncle will give me his old pickup truck.”
A few moments more and they were in front of dorm entrances.
-“It was nice meeting you Woody.”
-“For me too Nilanthi.”
He bent down to kiss her lips, but Nilanthi slightly turned away at the last second and his peck landed on her cheek.
-“Oh yes, remember that you have to be good Woody. Good night!”
-“When can I see you again?”
-“Do you really want to see me again?”
-“It would be nice!”
-“Is tomorrow for lunch too soon?”
-“It's could never be too soon!”
They saw each other again on the following day and on many other days since, when Nilanthi's studies allowed her to. However, this did not prevent them from becoming a real couple. The two were so in love with each other.
Woody had listened to Nilanthi's life story and was sad to hear about the separation of the two sisters: he was obviously a tough guy, but his eyes were watery every time he heard her speak of Amandeep.
Nilanthi also knew about all the troublesome details of her boyfriend's life, but they didn't bother her. The feelings she had for him would never be affected by past mistakes or by errors that had since been buried in the sand.
Thanks to Woody's docile and condescending personality, Nilanthi was able to cultivate the beautiful relationship she had with her boyfriend and to find time for her studies (study for me too!), which continued to give her great satisfaction.
Woody worshiped Nilanthi and did anything she wanted to, with the exception of meeting her parents. He'd always find an excuse when it was time to go out to dinner with them. One evening, however, he wanted to go up to Nilanthi's room.
She was in Marblehead for Easter, an opportune occasion.
-“I'd like to see your room, it would help me be closer to you when you're not with me. Your parents won't come back before eight, right?”
-“No, I'm sure of it. They're at the supermarket and usually get back for dinner, even though it all depends on which store they choose. But, listen, what would be the problem if we met them? A space-time paradox? The ‘end of the world as we know it’?”
-“Ok, make fun of me if you want. I just think that the later we meet them, the better it is for all of us!”
-“I won't insist then!”
They went up to her room and lied on the rug full of pillows that Nilanthi preferred to the soft bed from time to time. Perhaps because it reminded her of her childhood with Amandeep, when she didn't know she was happy. She dismissed that thought because it was likely to make her sad and she had already tested Woody's patience way too many times.
-“This is where I relax and listen to music. Sometimes I watch a movie. I only jump on the bed when I'm about to collapse, but, if I fall asleep before, I spend the night here.” Woody moved on all fours towards the bed and touched it with one hand to feel the mattress.
-“Poor little bed, it seems so comfortable!”
-“It is, but the rug reminds me of my origins!”
-“Even a bed full of nails would!”
-“The fakirs are Indian, I...”
-“I know, you're Sinhalese!”
- “Good! Would you like something to drink? You can wait here if you don't want to meet anyone!”
-“Hahaha!”
-“Would you like some coke in the rum?”
-“Believe it or not, just a drop of rum in the coke!”
-“Ok, I hope I'll be able meet your expectations!”
-“Don't worry, I may be a bartender, but on the other side of the counter I'm not fussy!”
Nilanthi went down to the kitchen and prepared the drinks. She tasted them and nodded in satisfaction.
While going back to her room, she had imagined her boyfriend would most likely be comfortably lying on her pillows, but - instead - she found him standing between the window and dresser.
-“You're ready to escape, I see! Are you ever able to relax?”
-“Let's taste that Rum and Coke” he said as he sat on the bed.
-“How many parts of rum?”
-“I don't know, a bit.”
-“Hum... This would not be acceptable in a bar, but I like it. It's just how I wanted it.”
-“Good, I'm glad!”
After a first sip, Nilanthi placed her glass on the floor and went on the bed, to sit next to Woody. When he finished his drink, she pulled him towards her with a sudden move worthy of a Judo master. She ended up on top of him, staring at him with a certain look he couldn't quite understand: there was a bit of happiness, amazement for her unpredictable gesture and probably a bit of malice.
-“Hey baby, certain things are done at my place. We don't want to violate Winnie the Pooh's kingdom!”
-“I was wondering how much you’d resist before making fun of me...”
-“You're right, it was very tempting, but, don’t get me wrong, I have noting against the bear and his friends.”
George had given her her first Winnie the Pooh bear. She had found it in her room as soon as she’d arrived from Sri Lanka; the other plush animals of the forest had followed shortly after.
While they were all cuddled up, Woody suddenly jumped on his feet.
-“Did you hear that? It was the entrance door!”
-“Are you sure? I didn't hear anything.”
-“Little one, we're home!”
It was Shaheen's voice.
-“Ok, I'm coming!”
Woody had already opened the window.
-“What are you doing? It's too high!”
-“Don't worry my love, every art has its own trade!”
-“What trade? Never mind, I don't want to know.”
Woody quickly kissed her and disappeared around the corner of the driveway in a jiffy.
After that experience, their life returned to normal, running as slowly and smoothly as usual...
Until that night.
Nilanthi had immediately noticed there was something strange and unusual about Woody. They were sitting in their favorite pizza place with a slice of "veggie pizza" and a small beer each.
-“Is there something wrong
honey?”
-“No, everything's fine baby! I just haven't worked and have been on the sidelines for too long.”
-“I'm sorry boo! No one knows as well as I do that you didn't have it easy in life and Vassar only calls you on Friday nights.”
-“I can't live for long on the tips I get.”
-“But, there's also my allowance, only you don't want to hear about it, even if I also spend a lot of time in your apartment.”
-“No way baby! I'm a still old fashioned when it comes to certain things!”
-“Ok, but something tells me you already have something in mind and that you're considering an offer!”
-“I'm an open book for you.”
-“Well then, tell me. What's bothering you?”
-“I found a ship that..”.
-“Oh my God! For how long?”
-“One or two months...”
-“Damn!”
Woody grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently.
-“It's a merchant ship that will travel down the Atlantic to the Tierra del Fuego. Most of the time lost is for the loading and unloading activities.”
-“I understand. I'll just have to work and study all day to distract me from your absence.”
-“The days will be long without you, but they'll pass.”
-“Tell me you won't do like all those sailors who have a woman at every harbor!”
-“I'll find another hobby!”
Woody leaned over to kiss her.
All of the evening's harmony faded when they went to sleep. She felt as if she had cried for hours before finally falling asleep.
In the following days, her relationship had suffered a memorable interruption: now that she had another reason to be sad, she had limited her outings to a few educational activities, walks with Shaheen and occasional evenings at the theater with her parents.
As traditionally done in the Wilson home, Shaheen and George organized a trip in Vermont to welcome the spring.
It wasn't the most exciting thing in the world, but Nilanthi gladly accepted the invitation. Besides, professor Watson, in charge of her project at MIT, did not dare deny her permission.
-“Even if you go, you'll have accumulated more attendance hours than anyone else. Go and have fun Nilly and remember that genius ideas are often more likely to arise when you're having fun than when you're under stress.”
And so it was that Nilanthi found herself in the midst of the snow-covered peaks that had been part of a portion of a world she knew as home.
Since she was a child, she had been convinced that her sister Amandeep was able to listen to her amongst those mountains, especially near the ones that were closer to the skies. There were now two people she missed with all of her heart.
She needed to let some of emotions out.
On the last evening of her stay in the mountains, Nilanthi was too restless to sleep. She went to the living area that separated her room from her parents'.
She put her ear to the door and distinctly heard George sleeping.
"Who knows if Shaheen is already asleep?"
She tried to call her softly.
-“Mom, are you still awake?”
She didn't dare try again and decided to go sit on the sofa.
"I should have said it louder!"
But, at that time, the door opened and Shaheen came out of the room not seeming a bit sleepy.
-“So, I was right! What are you doing up?”
-“I didn't wake you, right?”
-“No, I was reading.”
She went to sit besides Nilanthi after having kissed her on the forehead. Her smiled inspired the girl to speak about Woody.
She told her how they'd met and of the times they had gone out even just to see each other for an hour in-between lessons. She also let her know how much she was in love and how much he loved her, but that now she was extremely sad about his absence.
-“Do you speak to each other often at least?”
-“We decided it was better to write emails so that he could read and reply on his breaks. I wouldn't even be able to answer the phone in the classroom or lab.”
-“And, do you know how long this crossing will last?”
-“He said they don't pay him by the day, but by the mission and that he will come back when they're done. It could last another week, another month...”
-“Well, let's hope he’ll return soon! But, when he comes back, I would like to meet him!”
-“Of course! No problem,” said Nilanthi, who believed she would be able to convince her boyfriend.
Two days later, Nilanthi had returned to MIT and Shaheen was at home tidying up when she heard a knock at the door. As she was getting closer to the door, she asked who it was before opening it.
-“Hello Mrs. Wilson, it's Woody, a friend of Nilanthi!”
Shaheen wondered if she had heard correctly.
She cracked the door open and asked the boy to repeat what he'd just said. At that point, she wondered why Nilanthi wasn't with him.
-“Oh, there you are honey! Why are you so distant?”
Shaheen walked out of the house to get closer to the girl.
-“So, your boyfriend is back!”
Shaheen squinted, there was something strange about her daughter and about the way she smiled.
“But, you're not Nilanthi!”
The girl remained silent and Woody replied for her.
-“This is Amandeep Mrs. Wilson!”
Shaheen felt faint and if the low wall around the flowerbeds hadn't been there, she would have fallen to the ground. Instead, she was able to sit and stammer a few meaningless syllables.
She quickly came back to her senses and managed to stand up to hug Amandeep tightly.
-“I'm confused Woody, what's happening here?”
-“I couldn't stand seeing Nilanthi suffer anymore, so I went to Asia looking for her sister.”
-“I would like Nilanthi to be here before I tell you all the details of how I managed to do it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go get Nilanthi at school. Can Amandeep stay here?”
-“Of course, she's home now! “
Woody knew Nilanthi's schedule and hoped to find her during her lunch break. Indeed, her cell phone was on and she said "right away" when he asked her to come down for a minute.
-“Woody! When did you get back?”
-“This morning.”
She was clinging to his arm as they walked towards the park.
-“Well then, were you able to stay out of trouble?”
-“I managed and heard uncle Henry. He's restoring my pickup. Be ready Nilanthi because I'm bringing you to the beach in ten days.”
She lusciously kissed him on the lips in reply.
-“Now that you’re here, I can tell you boo. I was worried sick to know you were in the middle of the ocean, my Buddhist origins induced me to believe I had a debt with the sea.”
-“Yes! Listen baby, do you think you can free your schedule?”
-“Look, I was walled up last month, do you think they would prevent me from leaving early today, now that you're here?”
Woody's request seemed more than legitimate for her given they hadn't seen each other for so long, but she couldn't help wondering if there was more to it. Once Nilanthi completed the formalities of her early dismissal, she met her boyfriend at the car: Al, a childhood friend of Woody, had let him borrow his beat up car, like a thousand other times before.
-“Where are you bringing me, my dark and handsome man? It looks as if you don't really know where you're going.”
-“Do you trust me baby?”
-“Not so much! I'm kidding love!”
-“Well, then, we're going to get Al and Big Bear.”
A frown formed on Nilanthi's face, as she would have preferred to spend some alone time with her boyfriend.
After retrieving the human cargo, the old Ford headed towards Marblehead and Woody held her hand in his throughout the ride there. Nilanthi turned happy again.
>
-“This is the way to my house. You've finally decided to meet my parents?”
-“Maybe!”
When Woody wanted to be mysterious, he was adamant. This time, however, he seemed determined to spoil the surprise as they were approaching the Wilsons' house.
-“Listen love...”
On the back seat, Al and Big Bear were trying hard to look indifferent: one stared out of the window, while the other whistled as he glared at the roof of the car.
-“You know how much I love to surprise you, but this time, I'm afraid you might suffer a heart attack. So, I'd like to talk to you about why I brought you here right now. I lied to you about where I was going, but know that it was the first and last time I'll ever do so...”
- “No!!”
Nilanthi let out a chilling scream and flung out of the car.
- “Amandeep!”
A moment later, the two sisters ran towards each other and embraced in a long-lasting and super strong hold. Some passerby could have thought they were about to crush each other given the strength of their embrace. From time to time, they loosened their grip to look at each other through their tear-filled eyes, but would then tighten it again.
George, whom Shaheen had called at work, stayed at a distance with his wife and they were both clearly moved.
Shaheen signaled the boys to follow her and her husband inside the house to give the girls some time alone.
-“Take a seat boys. Which one of you is Woody,” asked George.
-“It's me, Mr. Wilson.”
- “George,” he imposed.
- “Ok, George! These are my friends Al and Big Bear, we're responsible for this blitz!”
-“First of all, let me tell you that you are my heroes...”
-“Our heroes,” Shaheen pointed out.
-“Sure! As the adoptive and loving parents of our girl, we know exactly how important it is for Nilanthi to be able to hug Amandeep again.”
Woody, who was holding a steaming cup of tea Shaheen had prepared, wanted to share his personal opinion on the matter.
-“Nilanthi immediately told me about Amandeep from the very first time I met her and I understood this wonderful creature of yours had a heavy weight on her chest, a sense of emptiness that could only be filled by being reunited with her sister. From the moment I understood that I was in love with her, which was very soon after, her obsession became mine. I knew the chances of finding her were slim, but wasn't ready to give up on this blitz.”
Struck by the Sea Page 3
