Vijay had stayed out in the garden long after Asha had gone back inside, watching the sky turn dark blue as next door’s children shrieked and weaved their way through the alleys behind the houses. He was glad he and Asha had had a chance to speak before he went; things had been so odd, particularly after Pran arrived. The uneasy feeling every time Pran mentioned how well they’d all stuck together in his absence, the awkward glances. That’s why travelling would be the best thing for him. It would be good to get away from the family, create some memories of his own that weren’t tainted. He wanted to make sure that Ba’s early life and Papa’s weren’t forgotten. Yet even now, his excitement for his trip was dampened by guilt. Ba shouldn’t have to worry about him, or about Pran and his talk of Uganda. How could Pran think about leaving his wife, his family, just when he’d got them back? Why couldn’t he see how lucky he was? Just then, Vijay heard the scuttle of a chair in the kitchen. He got up and went back inside.
Jaya was sitting at the table, while Pran poured them both glasses of water.
‘How is everyone? Is Kamlamasi well?’ said Vijay, leaning against the door.
‘Yes, beta, they are all well, you should have joined us.’ Jaya looked up at him, her tone mellow. ‘Although, of course, there will be lots of temples in India too.’
‘In India?’ Vijay looked up at her.
Pran turned around. ‘Who cares? He’s not going.’
‘It’s up to Vijay whether he goes.’ Jaya spoke to him in the same tone she’d used when they were children, after they’d grazed their knees or caught a fever.
Pran loomed over the table. ‘He belongs here with us.’
‘Why are you talking about me as though I’m not even here, Pran? I can make my own decisions.’
‘This is ridiculous. You don’t even have a plan. You’re going to waste your money.’
‘Yes, that’s right. My money, that I saved, even when you weren’t working.’ Vijay stopped himself.
‘Go on, say it.’ Pran stepped towards him, his voice getting louder. Jaya stood up and put her hand on his chest in an effort to calm him.
‘I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry,’ said Vijay, shaking his head. He lowered his voice. ‘But that money’s mine. What’s the problem?’
‘The problem is, we’re a family. We should stick together after everything we’ve been through.’
‘What’s going on?’ said Asha, coming down the stairs. They must have woken her from her nap.
‘The money isn’t just yours, Vij, we need to plan for our future,’ said Pran, ignoring her.
Vijay stood up straight, his back stiffening. ‘Your future in Uganda? You’re going to run away, leave the people you care about here, aren’t you?’
‘That’s rich, coming from you.’ Pran’s mouth twisted into a sneer.
Jaya turned, her body mirroring Pran’s. ‘It’s Vijay’s decision.’
‘But you said you didn’t want him to go?’ Pran looked down at her. ‘Why’ve you changed your mind so suddenly?’
‘Vijay is right, it’s his life.’
‘No, I’m the head of the family. You’re not going.’ Pran slammed his hand on the table.
‘Head of the family?’ Vijay stepped towards Pran. ‘I’m so sorry, I must have missed that. And where were you all those months when we were alone, who was the head of the family then?’
‘That was different!’ Pran shouted.
Asha rushed over to Pran to pull him back, but he moved his arm away. ‘Please, Pran, sit down.’ She tried to get him to meet her gaze.
Vijay knew he should stop needling, it was making things worse, but why should Pran always take control?
‘He has to stay here with you until it’s safe enough for you to join me, Ba,’ said Pran.
Jaya put her hand to his cheek. ‘Please, stop talking about Uganda.’
Pran turned from Jaya to his wife. ‘And Asha, too.’
Asha met Pran’s gaze. ‘I told you before, I’m never going back to Uganda.’
Pran threw his hands up in the air. ‘Everything we’ve ever had is back there.’
‘No, not everything,’ said Jaya, placing her arm on his shoulder. ‘We are here. What about us?’
‘But what kind of life do you have?’ Pran shook his head.
‘A secure one,’ said Asha.
Pran stared at each of them in turn, waiting for another answer, one that suited him better. But there was no answer for him, only silence.
*
‘Well, at least I’ll keep fit while I’m travelling, lifting this thing,’ said Vijay, as he and Jaya did their best to fasten his backpack. He couldn’t believe he was finally leaving; the past few weeks getting everything in order had dragged on and on.
‘Are you sure you’ve got everything, beta?’ she said.
‘Yes, Ba, I told you. It hadn’t changed on the fifth time of asking and it won’t have changed on the tenth either.’ Vijay smiled. ‘I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’
‘And do you have space for the vara? That airline food is awful.’
Asha walked in, her light cobalt blouse rustling as she moved. ‘Are you sure you don’t want us to come to the airport with you?’ she said.
‘You’re starting to sound like Ba now,’ said Vijay.
‘Sorry,’ Asha said, looking sheepish.
‘Right, I think I’ve got everything now.’ He stood up, hoisting the backpack onto his shoulders. ‘If I don’t topple over before I get to the Tube station.’
‘Take care.’ Asha smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. Her goodbye was still many times warmer than Pran’s had been that morning. All he’d done before leaving for work was tell him to be careful in a low, grave voice.
Jaya’s tears were already falling. ‘You’ll write as soon as you get there, won’t you?’ She hugged him tightly while he did his best not to fall on her with the weight of the bag behind him. He needed to remember her, all of her, her coconut scent, the softness of her arms.
He made his way to the Tube station and said goodbye to his new home. The city would wait for him.
When he got to the terminal at Heathrow, he walked over to the check-in desk and smiled.
‘What took you so long?’ Marie gave him a long kiss. ‘Let’s get out of here, shall we?’