Hong Kong’s changing fortune that would soon become a reality was arousing apprehension in its citizens and increasing their heartbeat. Not a day passed when the papers did not express dismay. As Dennis kept the newspaper on the table, Liza picked it up asking, ‘So what’s the news?’ ‘What else? But fear and terror,’ replied Dennis, himself in the grip of tension. ‘Just imagine, Liza, once Hong Kong reverts to China, we will all be reduced to second-class citizens.’
How long would people await their fate? Dennis recalled those moments when he and his friends, Francis and Victor, used to listen to their favourite song, ‘Be happy today, be happy today, live the moment for who knows, what lies in store tomorrow.’ It was to ensure their ‘tomorrow’ was good that so many had left and so many more were planning to leave. These included famous doctors, engineers and technocrats. There was a mass exodus for Australia and Canada. The lesser-qualified ones were heading for South Africa, Panama and the Tonga Islands. Almost 65,000 people had already left, but this was just a fraction, about 10 to 12 per cent of the population—the remainder were a mortified lot. When the communists came with their red flags and slogans, what would people like Dennis do? He felt that he had made a wrong choice in leaving McCluskieganj for Hong Kong. How the people back at home had tried to counsel him. ‘If you have to go, go to Australia, or Canada, or New Zealand. So many from McCluskieganj have settled there. What will you do in Hong Kong?’ But Dennis has always been a maverick. He insisted that he would go to Hong Kong and Hong Kong alone.
This city of Hong Kong was spread over 404 square miles and was at one time a part of the province of Canton. It was referred to as the southern gate of China. But after the Opium Wars, Great Britain rested it from the Chinese. Later they obtained a lease for ninety-nine years; that period was expiring in 1997. If communism continued its sway over Hong Kong’s politics and the economic practice of free-market trade was discontinued, that would spell disaster for the businessman in Hong Kong.
Dennis would try to cheer his friends with a story of his days in McCluskieganj. This is how it went: ‘When I lived in
McCluskieganj, there being no colleges, I had to go to Ranchi daily. It was a distance of about 65 kilometres. There I had a very dear friend who lived with his parents in a rented house. My friend said, that the house in which they lived had been sold several times over. At first it used to belong to a Muslim gentleman who sold it to a Christian, who later sold it to a Punjabi. Yet, my friend and his family continued to occupy the ground floor of that two-storey house irrespective of who became the owner. Not one of the owners asked them to vacate. Yes, they would raise the rent each time but that was all.’ Dennis’s friend, wide-eyed with wonder, said, ‘So what do you mean, man? Are you suggesting that whoever maybe ruling Hong Kong, we will never be disturbed?’ Dennis replied, ‘Exactly’, to which Francis who was a textile merchant said, ‘Yes, life itself is becoming transferable’. It was then that Victor spoke up, ‘Didn’t you read Deng Xiaoping’s statement where he said that Hong Kong’s capitalist economy would continue for the next fifty years, even after the takeover. In fact, he has assured of pumping in more funds for Hong Kong’s progress. That is all that matters to us businessmen.’ But Dennis was not too sure, ‘You never know with the communists, they are so mercurial. There is no surety when they will change their stand. That is why the communist nations are fast hurtling down.’
That was when Francis said, ‘Be careful of what you say. Don’t talk against the regime. You will have to pay very dearly. Remember what happened in 1989, when the youth and the general public of China had protested against the dictatorial ways of the government? They were just squashed and beaten down like beasts.’ But Dennis cut in, ‘Look how they have already thwarted British policy plans. When Britain suggested they build a beautiful airport and port, how fiercely they responded. For any move on their part to construct anything new in Hong Kong they would have to take prior permission. Had Britain constructed the airport and port, would they have carried it away in 1997. Then Francis said, ‘I must tell you that the feelings we have been expressing are not ours only. Many of the Chinese settled here have a similar opinion. You know Mr Chang who is my neighbour?’ Dennis said, ‘Yes, I know him. He is a very hard-working man and has obtained his present status with great difficulty.’ Then Francis said, ‘Mr Chang is scared that his business may just collapse after the handing over.’
Dennis sighed and said, ‘I do miss my village in India at this point,’ to which Francis replied, ‘Victor and I have never seen a village. You at least have a place in India, if the worst happens you can always go back. What about us? Where do we go? Why, I wish you could take us along with you to McCluskieganj.’ And Dennis remembered some lines from a poem learned in school, ‘Peace is flowing like a river, let it flow through me. Joy is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me … let the mighty joy of God flow out through me.’ On one side the roaring sea, on the other side a quiet, gently flowing Chatti river, thought Dennis. Even its remembrance gave peace to Dennis, in the midst of the recent tumult. While he and Liza were still in McCluskieganj, it was always a welcome break to go and sit next to the river. But Victor had interrupted his thoughts with, ‘Have you read Chan Ho’s new book called Hong Kong 1997? It deals with the kind of life that we will live after 1997. It is a commentary on the terror-struck, doubtful existence that we may have to lead here after that dreaded year.’ Both Dennis and Francis became silent. Dennis thought what a mistake it had been to sell his house in McCluskieganj. It was a mistake he committed in full awareness. Yet again Dennis thought that although he had sold his house, McCluskieganj would always remain with him. And Robin, Dennis had noticed that he never expressed his apprehension regarding the handing over of Hong Kong. The boy was fully immersed in the work of the press. It had become his passion since the completion of his college. He would pore over manuscripts till late night.
One day Liza had remarked, ‘Robin, you must learn to leave your work in your workplace, don’t bring it home.’ Robin had smiled and Dennis had said, ‘If you want your son to be less committed to his work, you must tie the noose around his neck,’ and feigning ignorance, Liza had asked, ‘What noose?’ Dennis said, ‘Don’t play the innocent, you know what I mean—get him married—of course. In any case, he is old enough to get married.’ To this Robin reacted, ‘Papa, not yet. Just wait another year or two. I want to write a novel. I have edited so many best-sellers in the last few years that I want to try my hand at writing. I am not being presumptuous, but I do think that I too will be able to produce a good novel. Just give me a chance.’ His mother quipped, ‘My dear boy, if one goes by your point of view a writer will never get married!’ To which Robin laughingly answered, ‘Mummy, I don’t agree with you. There are several renowned novelists who have married as many as four times! Moreover, I have not become a writer yet. Let me have at least one novel to my credit and I promise that I shall marry. Did you not read recently of the author who worked for seven long years to produce his novel? His publisher paid him three crores. It is he who said, “First make your career, get sufficient money and then think of marrying.” That is what I will do too.’
Dennis said, ‘Why are you so concerned about money? This business of mine is yours.’ ‘I know, Papa, but one must prepare one’s own ground to stand on. Of course, I will need your support to start, but afterwards … Didn’t Grandpa support us to get to Hong Kong? But once here, you worked your way up, didn’t you? Every individual must struggle on his own, to find himself and subsequently his self-esteem and self-confidence,’ said Robin. Finding himself cornered, Dennis smiled and said, ‘Okay, okay. So what support do you want from me?’ Robin answered, ‘I have told you earlier that my first novel will be on McCluskieganj. All I want is that you make the necessary arrangements for me to go there. I will work there for two or three months.’
Dennis agreed saying, ‘Yes, you are right. This is an opportune moment to go to our village. Considering the mounting tension in Hong Kong, you may very well be able to see things retrospectively, and with a calm objectivity. But what about the press? For the last few years, you have made things so much easier for me by doing everything yourself. How will I manage it without you?’ Robin thought a minute and then replied, ‘But Papa, that’s always the case. Didn’t Grandpa have to manage on his own when you came away? Moreover, I will be gone for just a short while.’ Dennis became very despondent. His son was right. How much his father must have had to struggle when he came away to Hong Kong. With no wife or support, and so lonely too. How sad that he was all alone when he died. He immediately decided to arrange for Robin’s departure.
All items of necessity were packed for Robin. Not even sewing needles, buttons and thread were missed out. Small as these things were, Liza felt that they were very essential. Robin laughed at her, ‘Mummy I don’t even know how to thread a needle!’ And Dennis joined in to say, ‘Exactly why I had suggested a companion for you.’ This friendly banter continued for a while, then Dennis added, ‘I have made all arrangements for your stay at the guest house called Queen’s Cottage. It belongs to my friend Phil Collins Miller. You will be looked after very well there. They have an excellent cook and steward.’ Liza said tearfully, ‘Take care of your health. I am already getting nervous; you are so careless.’ Dennis couldn’t help saying, ‘Look, Liza. He is a six-foot-tall man, not a babe in the woods. And by the way, Robin, you are going in the end of May. May and June are the hottest months there. But between October and March, the weather is just wonderful. McCluskieganj has frequent power outages, so the guest house doesn’t have electricity most of the time. And the question of having air conditioners does not arise. Still you will find it quite pleasant. Don’t forget to meet all our acquaintances,
Mr Mendez, Alice Aunty, Miss Bonner and all the others who will tell you all that you need to know about McCluskieganj, and yes, look up Kitty and also Bahadur, my childhood friends.’ ‘Papa, I remember all of them and all the stories that I have grown up with. I have noted all their addresses. Shall I tell you Mr Phil Collins Miller’s address? It is Queen’s Cottage,
McCluskieganj, Eastern Railway, District Ranchi, Bihar, Pincode 829208.’ ‘I am impressed, son. You have never seen the face of that village and yet you know so much.’ Robin laughed and said, ‘I have been reading a lot about rural life. A well-known sociologist has remarked, “Life in a city is comparable to a boiling kettle, whereas life in a village is like water in an earthen pitcher, still and peaceful.”’ Dennis also brought up the subject of how Robin would communicate with the local people since he did not know Hindi very well. To this, Robin said, ‘I have been learning Hindi for the last one year, so that issue too has been addressed.’