The Business of Love

A Fragment – Part 5

After weeks of no visits Naman appeared. ‘I think I can help you escape.’ He explained that a ship had arrived in the small harbour and he was in touch with the captain. ‘He will take you if you can get to the ship. A thick fog hangs over the harbour and will help you to avoid being seen. He wants you at the ship at three in the morning. I will show you the way’.

In the middle of the night Naman led Barish along corridors, down stairways, through narrow stone passages into the open air and the street leading to the harbour. As Barish climbed aboard she recognized the captain. ‘Remorse at abandoning you has brought me back. If I had stayed I would have disappeared too’. Naman watched the ship vanish in the fog and made his lonely way to the upper floor.

The boat talked to the sea and the sea gave its slow answers. Winds and swirling mists were wrapped around the dreams and memories of Barish lying in her bunk. Night followed day. The skies cleared and Barish was able to be up on deck. She was now a bird perched on the swaying mast.

At the same time Jasper was getting acquainted with the same oceanic world. It enabled him to make new contacts and further his business interests. He enjoyed the comforts and pleasures offered by expensive hotels. But he could find no trace of his wife . He considered returning home when an acquaintance told him of a conference at Ragba island in a few weeks. If he could get an invitation he would not regret it. He flew home but was back in time for the conference. The plane landed on a high platform in the midst of lofty buildings, turreted palaces, splendid facades and gardens with exotic trees and plants. Here wealth was installed on a scale Jasper had never imagined.

The Conference was opened by an assertive figure little known in the public eye. He explained the function of Ragba Island. It was to serve the needs of wealth so that it could be most productive in promoting global values. Wealth gave responsibility and was harmful in the wrong hands. Later Jasper had a brief exchange with an impressive figure, an astrophysicist named Ismail. ‘If you want to know how this place is run speak with Bennet. He knows much more than I do.’ Jasper cornered Bennet who explained in a long conversation the set-up of the island.  There were hundreds of workers to keep the place running. ‘For most the island offered a pleasant living although for some the work could be stressful. The workers on the lower floors might get depressed and even lose any sense of who they are. ‘This state can be chronic but we don’t just throw them out. We keep them here and look after them. Hence the rule that workers who arrive here are here for good.’ Bennet then asked why he was travelling in the East. ‘Two reasons, for business and to find my wife.’ He spoke proudly of the woman who had left him and mentioned her name. ‘I believe there is a Barish here on Ragba and is in Ismail’s harem,’ Bennet remarked.

‘Harem’ echoed Jasper.

‘Don’t be alarmed. It is an old Arab custom. Let us find her.’