the lonely convertible

8/8/2019 The Lonely Convertible

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Short story

THE LONELY CONVERTIBLE

---- Amin Ahmad Chaudhury

- I dont understand

- Understand what ?

-Our white convertible.

- Is it sold or got rid off ? Anything wrong in the

deal ?

- No, It is neither sold nor got rid of. Wrong is

with Uncle Edward.

- What wrong

-

It is a junk now, why does not he agree to sellit.

- I too do not understand. It should be sold much

before, it drinks much petrol. Uncle Edward is

working for long. It is nearly eight pm.

The young brother Richard and sister Raquel were

sitting in the lawn in the evening and were talking oftheir age old white convertible after yesterdays theft

attempt. They were watching Uncle Edward washing

the old convertible with much care and occasionally

taking a hammer and beating to repair the dents in its

body. Their mother Elizabeth was standing at the door

and watching Edward working on the old white

convertible. Richard has just entered into a university

and Raquel is in the tenth grade. They were watching

Uncle Edward taking care of their fathers car andpassing their opinion on it.

Elizabeth looked at her children. Richard is a grown up

boy now, Raquel also trotting to womanhood. A happy

family, she thought. Suddenly past days flashed like

cinema slides in front of her eyes.

********************

It is five years since Richards father died leaving

behind her and two children. Bob and she loved each

other so much. It was an unbearable loss. There was

none to look after the family and Bob never allowedElizabeth to join a job. After just a week of Bobs death

Edward came to visit the family. Being a friend for long

the family knew him well. Edward held the children in

his hands and led them to the drawing room, and

asked Elizabeth to follow. They sat silent for some

time, and then Edward looked at Elizabeth and asked,

Did Bob left any means that can support you.- This house only

- Nothing more that is in your knowledge. He

was holding the boy and the girl at his sides and

was playing with their hairs.

-No, nothing.


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- Is there someone who can support the family till

this brave big boy master Richard can take over

the charge- None we know.

- Then how the family will run. These are hard

days.

- I am not sure. We have few thousands with the

bank; I think we can run at least a one or two

months. Within this time Ill find job and put the

south portion of the house on rent. I hope we can

at least survive.

- Good to know. But I came here to inform you that

Bob started a business with one of his friends.

Though there is not any written deed they started

a business together and that fetches more or less

two thousand a month. I think you can get the

money back if you wish. It may be that you sell

your part or receive monthly turnout. But it will

be wise to receive the turnout every month.

- That is very good news, much assuring. But

nobody turned out yet, so I am in doubt if that

friend will come forward. Richard interrupted.

- Look big boy, dont lose faith on people. May be

he is giving you time to accept your loss of alifetime.

- I am sorry Uncle Edward, I did not think that way.

You are right.

-May I say something, said Raquel

- Sure my young lady, open your heart

- I am sure that friend is you Uncle Edward. Dad

had no such close friend as you were to him. Wetoo love you so much. Dad told us many times

that he has no other person whom he may call a

friend. He had much trust on you.

Mr. Edward remained silent for a few minutes, and

then suddenly he grabbed Raquel to his heart and

kissed her forehead.

- You are right my young lady. I am that friend. I

too love you all so much.

Richard and Raquel knew Mr. Edward since their

childhood and that Mr. Edward loved them much.

Since their fathers death both the brother and sisterdid not oppose his frequent visit, and their mom going

out with him. Elizabeth took much time to observe her

childrens reaction to frequent visit of Mr. Edward. At

last one day she decided.

- Richard, I have to talk to you.

-Who forbids you

- Dont be funny, it is somewhat serious

Richard lifted his face and looked straight at his

moms eyes.

- Shall I call Raquel

-No problem, if you wish to


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Richard called Raquel and she came running

- What is it ? Let me be clear, I am not going to

share with you any more chocolate that Uncle

Edward gave me yesterday.

- I dont need your chocolate. Mom says she has to

say something to us and that is serious.

- Mom and serious, the two do not go together

- It is serious, said Elizabeth, I really have to

discuss something to you.- OK, say it, both the brother and sister said

together

- Would you mind if I marry again ?

The children remained silent for a few minutes. The

brother and sister looked at each other.

- What took you so many days to decide ? Said

Richard

- I was thinking about you two, I love you two and

your happiness is my happiness.

- And who is that lucky chap to get my moms

hand, said Raquel. I have a reservation.- Reservation ? Elizabeth surprised. What is

that ?

Again the brother and sister exchanged eye contact.

Richard nodded. Raquel said, We make the choice. If

it is Uncle Edward, we are happy to know, if it is any

other person it is out right NO, we are not going to

give my moms hand to someone who may not love

her and us too.

-I understand. Elizabeth stepped ahead to leave

the scene

- Hey mom, why are you leaving, say something.

Said Richard

- What great thing you find in your uncle Edward

that only him I can marry and none else

-He is a good man, a better friend and the bestguardian, cried out Raquel, and you love him we

know.

- He loves us and he loves you too, and you love

him we know. You made no wrong choice. Said

Richard

-How do you know he loves me, he comes here tosee you and to pay the money from your dads

business.

- Please, mom, dont be so cruel on him. He could

easy grab the business, but he didnt. He is

honest and loves us. Dont you see how good he

takes care of us.- And you too, said Raquel. But if you do not

believe, we will ask him when he comes.

- No problem, ask him if he loves me or you more

- This is not a question of more or less. He loves

you and he loves us. Thats all.


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Months passed. Neither the children asked anything,

nor Elizabeth said a word any more about this.

********************

A loud call broke the silence of Elizabeth. It is Edward.

- Hey boy, bring me a bucket of water.

Richard ran into the house and took a bucket full of

water and reached Edward.

- Hey Lady Raquel, bring me the pack of detergent

and some pieces of old cloth.

Raquel went into the house and took the pack of

detergent and some pieces of old cloth and went near

the car.

- Uncle Edward, you could have asked Richard to

bring all these.

- Yes, I could, but wanted you two to be with me

and take care of the lady.

-

Which lady ? We dont see any lady here.- This lady. Edward pointed to the car. Your dad

loved this lady so much. I know it. That is why I

take good care of it. It reminds me of your dad.

We were very good friends. I love you two so

much, you two also remind me of my good friend.

Both of you resemble his face. The more I get

you two close to me I feel my friend is close to

me. That is why I try my best to take good care of

you two. Dont I ?

The children looked at each other. Raquel nodded her

head. She pulled Richard closer and whispered onto

his ears, This is right time to hit the nail

- What nail ? Whispered Richard back a little

surprised.- Asking him if he loves mom and will marry her.

- Grand idea. Shouted Richard

Edward was surprised to hear Richard shouting.

What grand idea ? Asked he.

- We want to ask you something, it is a serious

matter. Said Raquel

- Serious matter, what is that, any problem ?

- Serious problem. Quipped Richard

- Proceed, Ill do my best to ease any situation, but

only if you two be at my side when I face the

problem, I may need your help.

-We promise every help, but the decision is yours.

- No, if it is regarding you or your mom we must

decide sitting and discussing together.

- Why pull in mom, we are grown up and we can

decide our good.

- Then, it is nothing about your mom ?


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- It concerns mom and us, may be you too are

involved.

-

Then we must sit together and discuss theproblem in depth and find a way out.

- Ok ok, lets finish with this old lady, then we sit

and discuss now.

********************

It is nine at night. They all sat together in the lawnunder moonlight.

- Yes, my Prince and princes, shall I call the Gene

out of the bottle ? Asked Edward when they all

sitting in the lawn and sipping cup of coffee.

- Uncle Edward, this is serious. Said Richard

-Yes, this is serious, said Raquel.

- Proceed please.

Raquel pulled Richards head closer to her lips and

said, Play the trick Richard nodded, I will.

- You do know our dad left us this house, that

convertible, and two livings- mom and you- Yes, I do

- You know it is long five years dad is no more

with us

- I do

- You do know we are grown up, we have our

friends and circle, and we cannot give mom that

much company she needs or likes to have.- I do

- This is very natural that mom feels lonely and

you do understand that she needs a good

company

- I do

- You love us uncle Edward

- I sure do

- You know mom is a fine lady with all the best of

qualities

- I do

- You love mom as much

- I sure do, but children, where you are pushing me

to ?

- Not, pushing, just pulling the Gene out of the

bottle. Answer our questions

- Ok, proceed

- You are willing to marry mom.

Edward turned silent. He got the trick. Raquel wentclose to Edward and whispered, Take mom now in

your arms and kiss her the bridal kiss. We want it. Do

it now.

Edward looked at Richard. Richard nodded.


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Elizabeth understood, turned shy and looked at her

two children. Richard got closer to her and whispered

into her ears, We love to have him as our dad. He willfind him a loving caring and understanding husband.

Accept him, we want it.

Raquel held Edwards hand, whispered Mom is my

dads lonely convertible, still fresh and youthful,

waiting to be converted into best of designs. Treat her

well. So saying she pulled him up.

- You are fully grown up I see.

Raquel winked. Uncle Edward, do it now, whispered

Raquel, you will find her a loving and caring wife.

Edward went close to Elizabeth, his arms around her.

He lifted her in his arms. Their lips touched each other

and kissed. Edward proceeded to the house taking

Elizabeth in his arms. They engaged in deep wet

kisses.

- She wanted it, could not say for her love for us.

We spoke her heart. Said Richard- Yes, Uncle Edward loved our dads junk

convertible, always fixing it to keep it going. Now

he will find a new love to fix - our mom ever fresh

ever youthful lonely living convertible. She is a

wonderful lady. Said Raquel

the lonely convertible

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