THE AMERICAN SON
by Prabin
Thomas stood up in front of the mirror and looked up himself from top to bottom. He keenly peered to his appearance and saw that he had black eyes, brown hair with light dark skin. He compared himself with the height and found himself average shorter than other American youth. He felt that his overall outlook was much more different than other common Americans. In many ways, he was sure that he must have been holding entirely different blood because his body structure was more or less similar to Asian people especially of a Mongolian clan. He always tried to learn about his father and even tried to see him once in his childhood but he was never been able to find out from his mother to which place on the earth he belonged to. Each time, his mother oversaw his query to tell him of his father.
“One day you will discover it yourself. The almighty God will lead you to meet him on this earth,’’ often said by his mother. This response stopped him all the time when he wanted to move further at knowing the fact. After several attempts he found himself helpless to make further inquiry. He kept silence and left his home after he became eighteen years old. By then he plunged to be an American by culture because he was grown up in America. The world where modernity and freedom gave women a right to give birth without marriage rituals. Without a wedding rituals, every man and woman can live his own way and it is socially accepted; in addition, a woman can rear her baby alone.
He sometimes dreamt of walking alone the trails of hills, terrain of mountains and through the green forest that bloomed with red, white and yellow rhododendrons. The dream often repeated and he imagined, perhaps he wouldn’t be able to see all of these scenes on the American continent. He guessed at once that these all heavenly places somewhere lay on the earth but where in south America, Europe, and Africa, or Asia....?’’
“Thomas, would you like to go to Nepal as a volunteer for a few months?’’ Professor Michael asked Thomas. Michael was a professor at the university where Thomas was studying. At this unexpected question from his respected teacher, he got excited however became a little confused.
“Where is this Nepal on earth Michael? ’’ asked Thomas.
“Oh!!! This is the country known for the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. It is place where many mountains ranged on north and is rich in geographical and biological diversities. The people in this country are poor yet they have esteem. In one way, it, it is a heavenly earth in Asia. It lies in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent and is situated south of the world’s roof, Tibet. You know it is a great opportunity to be there. What will you do?’’ asked Professor Michael for his final decision to enlist in the volunteers group serving Nepal.
“Of course! I will go there,’’ said Thomas without thinking a moment further.
A Boeing flew above the clouds up to twenty thousand feet high as soon as it crossed Pacific ocean. A Mongolian looking American young boy was sitting by the window of the plane. The pilot announced that the plane was flying over the Indian subcontinent and would arrive destination soon. He was looking at white mountains and tall green hills. He seemed to be very excited at the sight of the beautiful views. “Dear passengers, please fasten your seat belts. We will reach our destination in 10 minutes; we are landing at Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu, the capital city of the Himalayan land. Thanks for your journey with Singapore Airlines. We wish your happy days in Nepal”. announced an airhostess with a smiling face with usual professionalism. At the moments, Thomas was looking at high green hills and white mountains. The snow- covered mountains ranged from east to west and that was a magnificent view. He found it more impressive and over- whelming than anything else he had ever seen. He felt as he had been in these places before. He concluded that it was just something that he usually dreamt. His heart told him it was the place where he was born. And, he thought he would certainly experience some miracles in this scared land.
The Boeing landed at Tribhuvan international Airport. Thomas disembarked himself from the plane. As he exited out from the board, a chilling air blew over his body. He saw beautiful Himalayas laying to the north of the airport. He took a taxi outside the airport as soon as he freed himself from the custom and arrival checking. He went straight to the volunteers’ office in Kathmandu. He informed the office about his arrival to Nepal and eagerly showed that he would start his job very shortly. A flat was ready for his stay nearby the office. The next day, when he was about to reach the consular office, he suddenly came across with a face as if he knew him long ago. The man was nearly forty-five years old, but was still very energetic with healthy look. Thomas felt that perhaps knew the face but from where he wasn’t sure enough. He observed that the man had eyes, nose and facial structure similar to him. Further, he speculated that certainly the man had a sympathetic relationship or blood relationship with him. For a few minutes, both of them looked at each other like both knew each other. However, Thomas controlled himself and went to the consular office without speaking a single word with that man. On the way through he was still thinking of the man whom he had just came across.
Perhaps it was a coincidence, for a week, every day he confronted the same man on his way to the volunteer office. They looked each other as if they knew before. The occurrence of meeting on the way to the office made Thomas pursue a friendship with him. One day, Thomas dared to speak to the man if he would like to be his friend.
“Good morning sir,” said Thomas.
“Hello, Hello, Good morning young guy.”
“You seems to be a very nice man I ever met. What is your good name please?” asked Thomas to the man with a humour.
“My name is Rakesh. Nice to meet you young guy. I live just nearby your place. I am a teacher by the way” said the man happily.
The conversation between two strangers became a close tie. In the course of time, they often shared ideas on natural resources, culture and the people of Nepal. A few days later, Thomas offered a get together at his house for a small tea break. The man warmly accepted it and arrived at his room on time. Friendly talks began. In the conversation Thomas found that the man seemed to be open and friendly towards him although he was from a foreign land. While they were talking the man spoke of his memories of a foreign lady who was his beloved. The secret which he never had disclosed to other people. He talked, “it was twenty years ago. A diplomat was here in Kathmandu accompanied by his eighteen years old daughter. Fortunately, she found me and wanted to be a friend. I also had a desire to make her a good friend of mine. In the course of time we developed a good friendship. Later the friendship changed into love; we eventually fell deep in love. Our geographical difference didn’t matter; she was an American. We sometimes visited Godavari. Phoolchowki and Dakshinkali (wel known places around Kathmandu where loving couple mostly visit). We felt passionate towards each other. In the romantic caressing moments, the affectionate touches led us into physical relationships during those tranquil hours. Days were passing as if they were just minutes. One after other several days, her father’s term of office in Nepal was about to be over; he had to return to his home country. Both of us realized that the time had come to depart from each other. It immensely shocked both of us.” The man for a while stopped to tell his story. He inhaled a long breath. Thomas was curious to hear further story as if he was losing his patience.
“And thereafter........?” Thomas seemed impatient.
“We were severely shocked when the day really came for us to depart from each other. Since we were anticipating it, we tried to find out several other solutions but she didn't agree to any of them. Eventually, she proposed me to go to the United States. I felt she was not in situation to give up. She tried to convince me that life in America was better because it was the highly developed new world and there were unlimited opportunities for good earning. She also reminded me that the people in Nepal had narrow thinking and lack of opportunities. The social system here in Nepal mostly depended on how much you know the red-tape officers and how much you care by flattery. She suggested that I should abandon my country for forever leaving all those social absurdities behind. Her lucrative words didn't work on me. I had my own ideology, aims and goals. I was determined to work on my own land and I had already dedicated myself to social reformation. Wasn't that a wise step at the time?”, the man counter questioned Thomas.
“Perhaps....” Thomas shrugged his shoulders.
“So how could I just abandon my country forever forgetting my set goals. and self- esteem? I admitted that I would like to struggle on my soil. My nation was in need of me. I couldn't agree to go with her to the United States. She went back to her country in great despair. Ever since, I haven’t been acknowledged her, where she is, how she is. She never wrote me back.’’ The man probably ended up his tragic story. For a short moment, he again inhaled a deep breath as if he was trying to get a relief from his hangover. There was a pause in the conversation.
Thomas was impressed of his patriotic attitude and his high self esteem. “You were speaking of social reformation and that your soil was in need of you, what significant role have you played during these years?’’ asked Thomas in an ironic tone. The man didn’t seem to mind it, rather he said, “my ideologies, aims and mission for my nation melted as an ice cube in a whiskey glass. We have been under the pressure of traditionally rooted ludicrous systems such as Nepotism, corruption which have long been leading the people and nation. I could do nothing though my efforts were great.’’ Thomas felt that the man was extremely honest and that he was under a great burden. Thomas changed the subject and wanted to know about his American girl friend by then. He asked, “do you still remember the name of your contemporary American beloved?’’ “Oh yes! I still remember her name, how can I easily forget her? She had a robust body and a beautiful face; God must have toiled long in his leisure hours to make such a beautiful girl. Not only her face but she also had beautiful eyes and long blond hair. Her name was Susan Baker,’’ answered the man in one breath. Thomas was about to jump in astonishment. “Oh! What a surprise! That name is coincidentally similar to my mom’s name!’’ A few second later, he realized that the story the man had just told may have revealed his mother’s words. ‘One day almighty God will lead you to meet him on this earth’. ‘Probably this man... my father?’ He speculated. He again remembered that his grandfather was once in diplomatic service. He was in deep thought for while. He could say nothing. A series of his own face, his mother’s words and her face and his grandfather’s term of office as a diplomat came to his mind as a stream of picturesque movie.
