Where is my Nest Updated 25.03.2025
(I would love all your comments...)
Where is my ‘Heimat’? (in German
home/origins). Single, thirty-two years old and never visited Goa.
Simon Kika born on the 5th of August 1950, took the name
of his Grandfather who died before he was born
but had the same birthday as him,
and was called after him. His
father and mother Alex, and Laura had
two other younger children, the girl
Averill, and the boy Trevor. All three were born in Bombay. Previously, Goa
was still a Portuguese colony. India was independent and direct travel between
the two was not permitted by India. After a short fight India defeated the
Portuguese, and then travel was possible.
His mother had broken the good news that the two of them were going to India, and then to Goa, for the exposition of the body of Saint Francis Xavier. Sadly, Alex had passed away, and Averill and Trevor were not interested. Simon was thirty years old and loved the Goan tradition. Averill and Trevor because of their school, upbringing in London regarded themselves as British.
They flew in from London to Bombay, where they visited their relatives. James was Simon’s first cousin, and he was also on holiday with me. He lived in Bombay. He then drove Laura, and Simon to Goa for a four-week holiday.
This was one of his most interesting holidays. He learnt so much about his heritage, and Catholic upbringing. Those four weeks were the most relaxing time he ever had.
Chapter 2 Our Villa
His ninety-year-old Grand uncle nicknamed Grandd had inherited a large Portuguese style house.
In the front leading up to an
open covered veranda were three long stone steps. At the back of the veranda
was a small dance floor which could comfortably accommodate at least twenty
dancing pairs doing the jive, a famous Goan dance. Unfortunately, although he
loved dancing, this was not in his parents’ DNA, so instead of dancing the
three mites did a ‘Walk around‘. Music, dancing are an integral part of the Goan
Culture, however you cannot be good at everything!
This was used to host small family events. Many of them had a religious
significance.
What he later learnt was that each village had its own ‘patron saint.’ There are many villages in Goa, many more saints. So, this means you could ‘party,’ all the year round. Another reflection of their culture. The high ceiling added to the ambience of a ‘Dance Hall.’ Next door were its own toilet facilities. At the back was a door leading to a corridor where a large stone kitchen was housed.
The kitchen, for the Goans, is the most important room. They love their food, have two cooked meals every day. In those days there were no freezers, only fridges. This meant that food was freshly cooked every day. The marsala for the food is prepared daily, depending upon what Maria was putting on the dinner table. She knew exactly what was needed , without referring to recipe. With love and affection, she puts the combination of green chilies, fresh ginger, and garlic, in the stone grinder. It is so heavy that it is on the floor A coconut scraper , is on the floor. These are two essential pieces of equipment it the kitchen. Tamarin, green coriander, and fresh coconut are the essential ingredients for the Goan kitchen. Coal or wood is used to cook the food.
He thought to himself,
“ I love my food, and often wear the apron string, and have my most creative moments there. Back to my story! “
Then came three larger bedrooms with lofty ceilings with on suite bathrooms . However, in those days there were no facilities for running water. This meant that you had a shower outside by the well with ‘Well Water.’ This was a wonderful experience on a sweltering day. The alternative was that the water had to be heated first and brought to the bathroom. The bathwater was heated in large copper vessels. A small copper pot was there to help you pour the water over your body.
In each bedroom was a four-poster double bed. This had curtains for privacy. On one of the walls was a curtain, behind was a large pole , and this was for hanging clothes. The floors were ornate with small mosaic blue and white patterned tiles.
The ceilings were high. At the back was the large dining room with a king-sized dining table for eight people. Overlooking the dinner table was a large painting of ‘The Last Supper,’ in true Catholic style. At the back of the house was also a small veranda. You could go to the back without going through the house. In Goa, no house is complete without a well. Two large banyan and a tamarind tree provided shelter at the back. There was a low wall round the complex, with a drive for cars in the front. The next neighbour’s house was about fifty meters away. It was his ‘paradise,’ from the first time he set eyes on it.
After a king’s meal early evening they all sat outside on the veranda sipping a glass of ‘Feni’ cashew/coconut. Two tipples we Goans love drinking. Fish and pork are always found on the Goan menu card.
On the first day back ‘Home,’ Maria, their host had prepared what was later to become their Goa favourite fish dish. Ambotic (Shark curry). It was the first time he had ever eaten shark.
What was remarkable is this fishes’ absence of the thorny fish bone from head to tail. It has a muscular bone without the barbs that most other fish have which gives it increased mobility. No ‘Thorny’ concerns when eating this fish. Maria had prepared this with fresh coconut juice, red marsala and served it with ‘Brown unpolished rice' , straight from the paddy fields. It was to become his favourite dish.
Unfortunately, shark is not readily available in most countries. The only sharks you get there is the two-legged variety. They fleece you for your money. What they have in common with those that live in the sea is, is that both have no backbone.
His first visit to Mapusa took place the next day with Maria . It was a Friday, and ‘Fish Market Day was ’ only a 'hop, step and jump' away.
Chapter 3 Fishermen
It was the start for him for his
frequent early morning visits to the beach at Candolim. The fishers with their
nets and boats go out to sea for about two hours every day in the early
morning. They are normally two or three men in the boat. Only covered with a
white loin cloth to hide their modesty.
After spending at least two hours out at sea, they
return to the shore. That is when the fun begins. The whole beach become
suddenly alive, full of people. The fishers beach their boats on the shore, far
enough to escape being swept out to sea when the next high tide comes in.
There were only men manning the boats. Suddenly
women appear with baskets on their heads, dressed in red and green working
saris barefoot. The crabs scurry away back to their holes frightened by the
sudden excitement. A beautiful scene, the sea shimmers with the first signs of
daylight. It is peaceful.
He thinks aloud,
“I wish that God had given me the ability to paint. I am sure Van Gough
would be proud of me.”
There is then a small impromptu fish market on the
beach, which lasts for about thirty minutes, and the women return with freshly
caught fish in flat baskets delicately balanced on their heads with the help of
small coils . You can roll back the centuries.
The choice of fish was great, small sharks, crabs,
prawns , and mackerel still alive, and kicking make up this selection of
crustaceans and fish. A large part of the catch goes directly to the many
restaurants and hotels in the area.
A quick glance at his watch, he thinks aloud,
“ It is 7.30 am, time to return to my ‘Palace.’ I love buying fresh fish, especially prawns for Maria’s culinary skills. I must then stop off on the way to get some fresh toddy.”
This white liquid is sweet. However, if the nectar
is left in the sun, its alcohol level rises dramatically.”
Breakfast with “Poi” or “Pao “ meaning bread in
Portuguese with toddy. This then is washed down with freshly brewed coffee and
a glass of Toddy.
“I hope that your mouth is watering and you stomach is rumbling.”
He had four weeks holiday there. What he was learning made him so proud to have roots there.
He thought to himself
“I love the sea, fish, and have many of the traits that makes me a
‘Goan.’ My love of fishing, hence my biblical name ‘Simon …...the Fisherman’
(without Peter).
'God'
was everywhere literally. Statues of Jesus, and Our Lady were on a little altar
in the corridor. Day and Night incense burned. There were other religious
pictures there which reflects our Catholic heritage.
The
small but well-kept Catholic Church was only a stone’s throw away. There was
service every morning at six, which was attended by many, including Maria. I
went there mainly for Sunday service at 10 a.m. You could say 'The presence of
God was felt everywhere'. ”
He had found his identity and was proud to be a Goan.
The rosary was said every day after the meal before they retired to the veranda.
Chapter 4 Maria
She was the ‘Patron ‘ of the house and kept it running smoothly. She was for extended periods alone. Something that disturbed him. However, the neighbours popped in and out daily. They needed no invitation, and she as well often without invitation ate with them at their dinner table. Maria, slightly built, slim was only five foot three. She however was worth her weight in ‘Gold.’ She never complained, he later learnt how she came to be here which shocked him.
Start of Aside…
I will now tell you something about our shady past.
As you are aware still centuries later there is still an active ‘caste’ system
in India. This means that the lowest caste, the ‘Untouchables,’ have till today
extraordinarily little chance of improving their economic or social standing.
This is despite moves to define a minimum percentage of this deprived class
that should be employed in government institutions.
Marriage for these in this bottom rung is only possible within this level. If
you are lucky, you may be able to marry someone one rung higher. This means
that women in this category , when they have children often cannot look after
their child. This is also true if the child was born out of wedlock.
When either of the two
alternatives happen, the poor woman must give her child away. Can you imagine
that a mother is forced to give up her own flesh and blood as she is poor ?
If the child is a girl, then it is given to a family higher upon the ‘Caste
Social Ladder.’ The poor girl when she is slightly older, often has no
education, and works as a servant there. There is no contact with the mother. He
was shocked when he discovered this there. A poor human being cut off from her
natural family, and then having to work as a house housekeeper for a richer
family.
End of Aside….
Maria was one of these poor unfortunate children. His uncle however treated her like his own daughter. She was a lovely person, despite her unfortunately circumstances. There have been incidents where the girl is treated like a slave. You must ask yourself. How can one treat a child like that. The poor child goes through life, become a woman, not have an education, know who her parents, or mother was and most important not have any family of her own.
If it is a boy, then he is packed off to the seminary to become a priest.
Normally one joins the priesthood, or becomes a nun, when you have a vocation.
This is not true here. This type of child is referred to as ‘Poskem.’ Often
when the boys get older, they leave the priesthood and get married.
Maria was treated like one of the family and ran the ‘Goa House.’ She received money from the relatives for performing this and was not destitute. However, she had no chance of having her own family. Simon took her to his heart as she was ‘Gold.’ She was one of the luckier ones.
Chapter 5 The Evenings
You could hear your heartbeat; it was so quiet. No traffic, the Portuguese villa was on top of the hill.
His ninety-year-old granduncle Peter D’Souza , nickname Grandd, told him family stories. He purred with delight. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
There was an old family album
there which he dug out. The old touched up brownish grey photographs revealed
the dress sense then. Portuguese style, but you could see that they were
monied.
As they meticulously went through the photographs, they all had some text as to
the date, and the person/s there. If it was an event, it was also specified.
He had a little story to tell about each one. Simon wished that he had a tape
and Cam recorder to capture what Grandd said about the people . He told these
like a little schoolchild and supplemented his commentary with one or two
interesting titbits.
He said ,
”The more interesting characters, your Great Grandfather Simon. Not only do you bear his name, but he was an ‘Entrepreneur,’ a Goan Doctor Livingstone.
Simon was only to be told otherwise the apparent reasons for his Great Grand father’s ‘African Adventure.’
Time stood still. Grandd, stayed there for about one hour, before retiring to bed. It was Simon’s first visit to Goa, and with no knowledge of his culture.
So, he asked Grandd to tell him about it.
Then the 'Flood Gates' opened, and this was the case for the rest of his holiday. It was just like the passing down of the culture from one generation to the next. One thing led to another and soon he told Simon about Great Grandfather Simon.
The stories about his romantic, carefree great grandfather Simon, his amorous adventures were the cause of much amusement. Hence his nickname ‘Romeu,’ which translates from Portuguese to English as ‘Romeo.’
He said ,
“Simon, you know you are just like him with your curly hair, slim in stature and off course your name. Are you romantic as well?"
Simon stayed quiet.
He was a ‘Leo,’ like him, but born on the fifth , he on the tenth of August and was also amorous.
He handed Simon a few 'Love Letters', from “Romeu.”
This was the key to the mystery which led Simon to this interesting adventure.
Chapter 6 The Rarified Air that hung over Goa and the myths.
Christianity/ Catholic Faith
On this religious note he said to himself,
There is something special in the air in Goa. It is by
the sea, so the air is fresh, tastes salty. However, he will now relate another
mysterious cloud that hangs over this paradise. It is wrapped in a few similar
but unexplainable layers of intrigue.
Tales of the unexpected, together with the religious aspects interwoven, forced
him to resort to unusual means to unravel this mystery about his clan culture. He
wanted to have a seance.
Start of Aside…
Let me start with the easiest, that is religion. The country before the Portuguese arrived was Hindu.
Francis Xavier was himself responsible for the spreading of Christianity
in Goa, which was colonised by the Portuguese.
Francis became a priest in 1537, and initially spent his time in Portugal
caring for the sick. For his work , three years later together with his
companion Ignatius the Pope rewarded them when he decreed that the Jesuits were
a religious order.
He was sent on a mission to India by the then Portuguese King to continue his
excellent work in the new colony. On his 35th birthday, he set sail for Goa and
there, he found that the Portuguese colonists through their bad behaviour had
given the Church a bad name with the locals.
He tried to amend this. Looking after the poor, the sick, he increased his stock with the locals. He also instructed them on God and Christianity. His spartan lifestyle, living on rice and water found favour with the local poor. He converted many of them to Christianity. He had problems with the richer both Hindu and Muslims, who were later persecuted and fled Goa to the British occupied Indian sub-continent. The devout Jesuits managed to put the fear of God, and overnight a strong strand of Christianity spread over Goa.
One stain on his accomplishments was that he introduced the Spanish style
‘Inquisition‘, that was imposed on the Hindus. Those who refused to convert,
fled to the India sub-continent that was under the British. Here there was no
religious persecution. After working in Malaysia and Japan he died on December
3rd, 1552, from a fever.
It is rumoured that his body was on its way to Portugal, but when the ship stopped in Goa, it could not go further, as if was a miracle. So, his body was kept in Goa. What is remarkable is that till today the body is still intact, albeit it has shrunk. The flesh and blood remain, and there is an exposition of his body every ten years, in the Church at Bom Jesus, Goa. He was made a saint in 1622.
End of Aside…
This was the main reason Kika’s mother
took him to Goa. On his earlier visits to India, it was not possible to go to
Goa because Independent India did not allow this. In a brief war India took
back Goa, and then it was possible to travel.
Simon then said about the exposition to Laura, Brian and Grandd.
“There are many sceptics about the supernatural, life after death. I was a staunch Catholic before, and seeing the body, flesh and blood reenforced my belief in God., and a life after death.”
The exposition in the `80`s lasted a month and took place in December.
This experience finally convinced him of the existence of God, Supernatural, and other aspects related to these.
He then went into detail as what he and his mother saw.
“We queued up for hours to see the body. I still have a vivid recollection of what I saw. The body was in a glass case to prevent further deterioration from the atmosphere. The ‘Shroud’ has shrunk and is now only about three to four feet in length. All the human attributes are there to see. It is fully clothed, and the face is open and not covered. It is visible through the glass case. This to me was the definitive proof of God’s existence and that there was also a supernatural. People come from all round the world to see the body. Not all of them are Catholics.”
Chapter 7 Ghosts, Spooks the Supernatural
Simon further said ,
“Another story that my Grandd told me, and this was also told by another family member. It was that one of my Grand Aunts in Goa was ‘Possessed by the Devil’ and sat on a leaf. She had to be exorcised. “
He continued,
“There are other interesting,
related themes relating to 'Haunting and Ghosts' which have further reinforced
my view that there is a supernatural. Many other religions like Hinduism,
Buddhism are also based on this belief. For all the reasons I have listed so
far, the supernatural exists, our inability to explain these events does not
make them a phantom of our imagination. “
A couple of days later, after Simon had milked
Grandd dry about his grandfather, he and James
spoke about what they both had learnt.
In this process each had each downed three bottles of Kingfisher Beer each. Chess this evening was not a viable proposition for them, so they started talking about Romeu and what Grandd had told them.
Simon then had a brainwave, and said to Brian,
“Would it not be nice if we could get more information about the ‘Amorous adventures of Romeu’?
Brian and Simon remembered that Grandd had mentioned that there was a black box in the room that used to be Romeu’s but had no idea what was in there.
Brian and he decided to stop for the day and the next morning to look for this ‘Black Box.’
Chapter 8 The Discovery
Needless to say, the next morning both James and Simon were not in a fit state to see what the fishers had caught as they had consumed Feni, and beer the night before.
Maria would have to cook something else for the evening meal.
They all had a late breakfast/ early lunch at 11 a.m.
Both Brian and Simon had headaches. However, the brain fog cleared after having Mara’s simple bowl of congee with pickles.
Start of Aside…
Congee is boiled rice in water, which is quite tasteless . It is accompanied with pickles, or something sweet. They had often had this in Kenya when we had stomach disorders.
End of Aside…
After this they went to talk to Grandd, to retrieve the ‘Black Box’ .
Unlike the ‘Black Box’ that must be recovered when a plane crashes, this they
thought would be a simpler matter.
Do you know what happens when people get old, their memory fades.
Grandd,
“Maria , can you remember where we put the letters from Romeu Simon? They were all in a ‘Black Shoe Box."
Maria ,
“Just like the shoes, the box went walkies!”
she replied with a broad smile and added.
“ You put it in the trunk with old photographs and other mementoes.”
Grandd ,
“Of Course, how stupid of me!
Please Maria can you get it?
“We will be sitting at the dining table “.
James and Simon went to help the poor girl, not knowing how heavy the trunk was.
Grandd Peter suggested that they all
should get something alcoholic to drink to prepared for the shock.
He knew full well the amorous side of Romeu Simon.
He turned round to James and Simon and said.
“ You know, true to his nickname, Casanova was his older brother.” That is why he got this nickname in his twenties.
Simon smiled wryly.
“ Grandd, does this trait run through the family?”
Grandd then with his usual wit said,
“ From what I heard you have also been ‘bitten,’ is this not true Simon!”
Simon and James rolled up their sleeves and placed the Black metal trunk on the floor on a rug by the dining table.
Maria inserted the key, turned the lock to reveal all the dark secrets that were in there.
Simon said to him,
“Grandd,” are any of your dark secrets also here?
Do you want to remove them before we see them? Are there any Skeletons in your cupboard?
Was that the reason you have poured us all a stiff Brandy?“
Chapter 9 Opening the Trunk
To make sure that nothing was misplaced, Simon decided that they should make an inventory of what secrets were buried.
He said ,
“James , please can you do the honours to make an inventory of what we find please?”
With that settled they all , Maria, Grandd, James and he prepared themselves for any ‘Ghosts’ that might have made their way inside the trunk.
You never know whether there were any ‘Guardians” for these secrets. The trunk was covered in dust, as it had been hidden away for decades. They placed it on the floor in the dining room on an old rug.
Maria removed the rusty lock. There was deadly silence in the room. It was not like opening your wrapped present under the Christmas tree, as you know that opening it would be a pleasant surprise.
James armed with pen and paper, wrote on his note pad, who were there at the opening ceremony, with date and time.
Simon took a selfie with the four of them by the trunk.
They all decided that they would take a decision collectively what were to be the next steps after evaluating what had been found.
There were many old photographs in unsealed envelopes which they placed on one
side for later examination. They then found bundles of old letters bound by
string. These were also placed carefully on the dining table. You could hear a
pin drop.
Grandd face turned ashen, as this had revived many memories. Not all of them were positive. Reviving these after so many years brought tears to his eyes. Maria was also emotionally touched , as some of the letters touched on her past, and how she came to live there after her birth. A ‘Poskem’ child. It was quite an emotional moment for all.. James and Simon quickly ended this ‘Living Nightmare’ for Grandd and Maria. They put all the contents back in the trunk. However, they first made a couple of interesting discoveries. Great grand dad, Romeu, returned after his African adventure to Goa, married Anisha and returned later alone to Africa. Anisha joined him a few years later with their two adopted children. Anisha was also a Goan, but was a Hindu, and lived in Mumbai. The plot thickens.
What I had previously planned to uncover the truth, namely having a séance was
no longer a practical alternative.
There was too much emotion from Grandd and Maria. They had enough evidence that it was Romeu who had started off on the ‘African Adventure.’
James and Simon alone would then go back to ‘Pandora’s Box’ without the other two.
This episode of ‘Pandora’s box ‘ had put the mockers on their evening conversations .
The fall out of this episode !
Their later chats on the Veranda, yielded positive results, even though they had uncovered painful memories for both Grandd and Maria.
Grandd had not been to Mumbai for many years, and Maria had never stepped foot outside Bastora, Panjima and Mapusa. Of-line with James, the two of them decided to treat Grandd and Maria to a short holiday to Mumbai. Then the four would return to Goa. They would find someone to keep an eye on the house. This was a gem of an idea, and it mushroomed in Simon’s fertile brain into a plan. He loved travel by ship and had not been on one since he was seven.
Chapter 10 The Voyage
Simon went to the Travel Counter, in Panaji, and made some inquiries regarding travel by ship to Bombay . The journey lasted about four hours. There were twice weekly crossings. The ships were comfortable. These were ‘Liners,’ which travelled round India on mini cruises.
After talking with James, Simon and James decided to break the news to Grandd and Maria.
A quick decision was needed from both as the ship was leaving in three days-time. The plan was to get the ship to Bombay. Spend three days there, before returning to Goa. In Bombay, James’s wife Jessie and their two daughters Mina and Julie lived. Grandd and Maria had not seen Jessie for a few years and had never met his two girls Josephine and Mena. This for James’s family would also be a pleasant surprise.
The next morning at the breakfast table, James and Simon broke the news to them, hoping for a positive response. Both were overwhelmed.
Maria said
“Simon, I have nothing to wear?”
Simon smiled and said ,
”Then come as God made you or better still in the ‘Emperor’s new clothes.
No seriously Maria, if you agree, we will go into town all four of us to get some ‘Fancy Dress for you and Grandd!”
A large smile appeared on her face, and she came over to both James and him and gave them each a bear hug.
Simon then said,
“ Maria , you and Grandd deserve a holiday. I am sure that you have never had one!” She cried and gave James and Simon each another bear hug.
“Grandd, the ball is in your court, Aye or Nay,”
He said.
Grandd said,
‘James and Simon thank you very
much. Can we go shopping now!”
James said.
“ We are leaving in thirty minutes, clothes , shoes for you both, so please get ready . Maria has the day off, so we will eat out.”
As this was going to be a shopping spree for Grandd and Maria, they decided to go to Panjim.
James and Simon decided that they would treat them both Grandd and Maria mini holiday, and for Maria, get her some clothes, shoes. An early Christmas present for both. The shopping spree lasted for a couple of hours , as Simon accompanied Maria, and James Grandd.
They decided to have a late lunch at ‘Spice Goa,’ in the centre of Mapusa. We ordered a takeaway for the evening. In India, and Kenya, it is customary to have two cooked meals a day, lunch, and evening meal. They had non-alcoholic cocktails, with the meal.
The smell of the food being freshly prepared wafted from the kitchen to them in
the restaurant.
The salt in the air, my empty stomach rumbling and grumbling. The restaurant was empty except from the four of them.
James said,
“ If you blindfolded me, I would be able to tell you in which country I was in, only by the smells. “
James had Mutton Xacuti (SHAGOTI in Konkani),
Maria had RECHEADO (Baby Tambuso (Red Snappers),
Grandd had RECHEADO Paplet (Pomfret),
I had GOAN CHILLI FRY Prawn
“The food was delicious,”
Simon said,
“Did you all enjoy your meal?”
James said,
“Yes the food was excellent, but Maria cooks better!”
They all agreed, and Maria gave them a wry smile.
They went home at 3.30 p.m. fully satisfied on their days’ work, and on a full stomach.
All were all looking forward to the mini cruise and holiday.
Both Maria and Grandd had their
outfits for the trip.
The next day James and Simon went to book the short voyage to Bombay.
Two day later they were boarding “The Santa Maria” which was their ‘Cruise ship.
It was the first for Maria and for Grandd. Two short blasts from the ship’s hooter at 10 a.m., and they were away. As the trip was supposed to last for about four hours, they had no need to book a sleeping cabin, only sitting places.
Chapter 11 Bombay Retracing Grandad’s steps!
After a brief visit to the cages, they decided to go to the company Shan Brothers that had employed Great Grandfather Simon on his African escapade. They managed to rummage through their archives, and once had Romeu’s name they unearthed a 'Treasure Trove' . A quick browse of this file revealed 'Faded brown coloured `letters in the file labelled 'Simon Kika', they promised to copy the file and send it to them in Goa .
Simon paid them one hundred rupees for this 'Gold Dust'. The large packet arrived a few days later. James and Simon needed one full day and a half to decipher the Hindi , and Goan correspondence of what they had received. Names cropped up that seemed familiar when they had previously opened the trunk. Simon asked Grandd for permission on the understanding they would tell him and Maria of their further discoveries.
(New 02.02.24)
As usual the Goan custom is to visit the graves of friends and relatives when they visit India.
Simon said to Grandd,
"Both James and I would like to pay our respects to Great Grandad, Romeu. Do you know where he is buried? In his testament, he had specified that he wanted to be buried in Bastora, Goa, his 'Home'."
Grandd said,
" Yes, I do know where he is buried, we can visit the grave tomorrow if you both would like it. It is in Balbot, Bastora."
Both James and Simon said that would be fine.
Grandd then added,
"Is eleven o'clock fine?".
Both James and Simon nodded their heads in approval.
Simon, being Simon had other ideas for the visit. He asked James to take him to Mapusa as he wanted to buy two good bottles of alcohol. A bottle of Cashew and a bottle of Coconut Feni and some small snacks. He had not yet informed the other three what he had in mind.
Maria informed him that she had five folding garden chairs and a folding table, and he asked her for a small tablecloth.
“Simon,” she asked, “ what are these for?”
He replied , made up a cock and bull story that he wanted to go maybe fishing later on the banks of the river and wanted to have a small picnic with them. Brian without asking why, gave him the keys to his car.
Simon then put the two bottles, tablecloth, five glasses, which he had quietly taken from the drinks chest, in the boot of the car.
Brian drove the four of them to the cemetery.
Grandd, took some time in locating the tombstone for Romeu.
The grave was overgrown, and as Simon had suspected, he had put some garden equipment to restore some order.
“Grandd,”
He asked,
“When were you last here? This or the last century?”
Grandd , his face reddened and then Simon said
“Grandd, James, Maria please come with me to the car.”
The three of them looked puzzled but did not question him.
The scene was set for his next ‘Act.’ Maria had brought a flowering pot which they placed on the tombstone.
Simon in need of breadth of fresh air and to stretch his legs.
Then said,
“ I will go for a short two-minute walk before joining you at table.”
On his return set the folding table and five chairs up, put the white tablecloth on the table, and the five glasses upside down opposite each chair. He then took out the brown paper packet, and placed the two bottles, on the table.
He stood up and said,
“My friends, most Goans are superstitious, so are you. Please let us sit round the table and join hands to form a ring. We are going to have a séance. ”
You should have seen the blank looks on their faces.
They all looked at him shocked.
He continued,
"I am sorry, it has taken us a long time the best part of an hour to restore some sort order to the grave."
Grandd then said,
“The fifth place, who is that for?”
I then said “Romeu! Did you not guess?
I also asked him if he had time to join us, and he replied that he has a lot of time on his hands, and when the entrance to his home was cleared, he would join us. “
He then told them to sit on the four chairs round the table, placed an upturned glass in front of each of them. The fifth he placed in front of the empty chair when they were all seated.
They looked at him in bewilderment.
He then said,
“Can we please join our hands and form a circle”.
Brian said,
‘Mate, what are you playing at, making fools of all of us?”
There was a deadly silence for what seemed an eternity, actually it was only for about a minute. The whole cemetery was quiet. There were some banyan trees which suddenly began swaying, although there was no wind. It was still twelve noon, but suddenly there was an eerie darkness. Not totally, only partial.
Simon felt a cold chill in his body…what was happening to him ?
As if he was possessed, he stood up, and he felt that he did not control his own body. He felt something entering it invisibly. It felt that he was outside his body, and it suddenly felt very chilly.
He opened my mouth, and words flowed from it. These were not his, and the voice was rough , and not his voice.
“I am Romeu, talking through Simon.
Romeu then said,
“ Thanks Simon, it is a long time."
Simon then asked.
"What would you want to drink, ' Coconut or Cashew feni?'
He replied ,
" coconut."
Simon then said.
" My three good friends, I have asked Romeu to tell us his story. His African adventure and the fallout from it.
'The voice from the Grave!”
( the story of the voice from the grave follows)
“Romeu, “
Simon said,
” The floor is yours.”
They were so intrigued with what he had to say. So many questions. He had joined a lot of dots, which had made his story intriguing. He had the floor for one hour.
Simon then stood up and said,
“Romeu, thank you for this. Please take a seat and join us at table.
Lady and gentlemen, you can ask our honoured guest questions, avoid asking him embarrassing ones. We are in the cemetery, no questions please about his love life please. He has remained celebrate for an extraordinarily long time. His innings is complete.
He added ,
“Please raise all your glasses , and I offer a toast to him.”
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