I kept track of cash, Omi did deliveries, while Ish manned the shop. When
schools reopened, he also looked after the monthly supply business. We now
supplied to four schools. It took a national holiday on 15 August for us to have a
quiet day at the shop.
'We should have kept kites. Look at the sky, that's easy money,' 1 said as I
counted cash.
'Hurry up with the accounts,' Omi said. 'Mama wants us there by four.'
Mama had planned his rally on Independence Day, the same day as Ali's dad
had planned a speech for his party's candidate. What's more, both the rallies took
place at the same venue, at the opposite ends of Nana Park.
'We will get there by four. But guess what's our profit for the last four months,'
I faced the two.
Both shrugged.
'Seventy thousand,' I said.
'Seventy what?' Ish said.
'That's right. Out of which forty thousand will be used to repay our loans. The
remaining thirty is ours,' I said and passed on a bundle of notes to each of them.
'Who decides how to cut this money?' Ish said.
'I do, any problem?' I said and realised I had come across too firm.
'Nope. So, how many loans do we have left?'
'Only twenty thousand more, if you count the interest. We will repay all by the
end of the year,' I said and locked the safe. I kept the key in my shirt pocket. I
stood up to do a stock inventory in the godown.
'Hey, Govind,' Ish said as he pulled my arm down. 'What?'
'Australia,' he said.
'C'mon, we have discussed it. Yes, it was nice to meet Fred and Ali is good. Just
the visas cost three thousand each.'
'Fred is giving the tickets,' Ish said.
'But we will still spend a lot. I'd imagine at least ten thousand a head, or forty
thousand for the four of us,' I said. I wanted to go as well, but I couldn't afford to
spend so much on a junket.
'Here is my ten,' Ish said and tossed the bundle back to me, 'My contribution to
the Australia fund.'
I looked at Ish and Omi. These guys are nuts. Super nuts.
'Take this money home and toss the bundle at your dad. You need to.'
'Dad is only going to find another reason to curse me,' Ish said.
'Here's mine.' Omi tossed in his bundle, too. 'C'mon Omi,' I said.
'I don't work for money. I'm with you guys and don't have to be a priest. That's
good enough for me.'
'Well then let's save it for the business and...,' I was interrupted immediately.
'No, this money is for Australia only'
'Just when the business was looking up! Oh well,' I said and tossed my bundle
too.
'There you go,' Ish said, 'we've got thirty grand done. Now if only you don't pay
the loan this time.'
'No way Ish. The loan has to be repaid.'
'We will repay it - later,' Ish said.
ish, you don't listen. What if the other expenses end up higher?'
avery
(avery)
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