UNTO Eternity : (Part – 1)
(A Poignant love story, inspired by Thai Folk Love)
By
Colonel Surinder Bhatia, Retd
There was a nip in the air. Pedro sat at the terrace of his huge island mansion `Oceana’ sipping his morning coffee. He was the undisputed lord of the picturesque Thai Island Estate; he had inherited some 25 years back. He owned a huge Mahogany forestation with a roaring logging trade and was on the ‘first name’ basis with the Governor Edgar Evans.
Pedro appeared upbeat as his roving eyes surveyed the sprawling landscape between the villa and the woods in the distance. In fact, he was looking forward to this day for the much-awaited home-coming of his nephew Sengpong.
As Eida, his young and pretty wife, emerged from a nearby rink at a `slow trot’ and switched to her customary ‘canter’, Pedro knew that she would be around in a couple of minutes. Yet, he was gazing transfixed in that direction as she approached. She always fascinated him. He was proud of her. As she dismounted from her glistening grey stallion, she looked all the more appealing and inviting in her jeans-riding cap combo. He waved at her as she smiled. The playful mount was yet rearing to go.
The charmingly beautiful Eida was the very soul of Oceana. She was proud of her Kohima-ancesterage and the fantastic ‘dance and music’ tradition she had inherited (Hassino, now Eida). She was much civilized by the Pagan standards of the island and even wore an aristocratic look as the ‘first lady’ of the Island Estate. She was totally committed to Pedro. She was conscious of the love and regard Pedro showered on her. She was his fourth wife after the first three had been relegated to the ‘ex’ status, failing their prime obligation to conceive an heir for Pedro.
Eida was some 20 years younger to Pedro and fully understood his hopes and aspirations. She had even feigned pregnancy to please Pedro. Now, she shuddered to remember how Pedro had cried bitterly and inconsolably when he had learnt of the miscarriage. Eida was genuinely keen to make amends.
Eida was like a fresh spring- full of life, vigour and fun. Yet, often her amorous cravings went abegging as Pedro was beginning to feel the pinch of his advancing years and excessive work load. Eida was thus often frustrated and undone. “Of course, she would understand” was Pedro’s refrain as always. Yet, (mindful of her status), Eida stood faithful and won’t betray.
Besides Eida, the other important members in the Pedro household were Charlie and Brenda. Between them they managed the complete estate for Pedro. Apart from the major job of Estate-security, Charlie was the close confidant of Pedro in all business and personal matters. Invariably, he was also the master of ceremonies at the ‘royal’ court and all major functions held at Oceana.
He maintained the desired order and decorum. Brenda was the elderly governess who managed a small army of servants, largely females, to run the household. He listened to the two of them readily and the presence of the duo was mandatory for the court rituals and any special occasions at the Pedro household.
A small township thrived at the eastern periphery of the Pedro Estate, around the main jetty (gateway to the island). An island port in the close vicinity was operational, almost exclusively, for the timber haul. Artisans of all description, small and big timber traders , grocers and shopkeepers, even a couple of small ticket entrepreneurs formed nearly 2000 of the island populace.
There were practically no taxes though the island sported a small security outfit. Pedro was the uncrowned lord here, loved and revered, his word was the law. He even held a fortnightly court (Durbar) in the main-hall of Oceana with its majestically carnate ebony gates. The hall had a high side-walls and a sizeable capacity.
A huge emblem of a lusty lumberjack adorned the front wall. The walls were tastefully decorated with breathtaking dragon paintings. The shining mahogany timber roofing and huge silk curtains around, further added to the lustre and its medieval royalty looks. The fortnightly court conducted the official business of the Island Estate and looked into grievances and disputes if any.
Islanders on their part prided in their association with the ‘royalty’. Any palace gossip was instantly a ‘hot topic’. The open courtyard in the rear half of Oceana served as a resting/rallying point for the palace staff. All sensational stuff generally originated here.
Yet, Eida was not the only one Pedro would bow to. He was deeply attached to his nephew and heir- apparent Sengpong who had been studying commerce in a far-away Academy and graduated creditably. He would discuss Sengpong’s impending home-coming and the warm welcome to be accorded to him very enthusiastically with Charlie and Brenda. He was all set to relinquish some of his estate-burden and was even secretly eyeing Governor’s pretty daughter’s hand for Sengpong. He had full faith in Eida as she volunteered to put her heart and soul in this project.
