A Fragment – Part 6
But Barish was nowhere to be found. Those who had delivered meals and looked after her needs had assumed she had simply been lodged elsewhere and thought no more of it. Then someone remembered the ship that had harboured in a thick fog. Had she escaped? A helicopter took off to search the ocean but since it happened weeks before, it had no success. It gave Jasper fresh hope that he would find his errant wife. Before leaving the conference he made arrangements with Bennet to use his work force to benefit his business and also to make use of financial advantages offered by the island.
Then Jasper hired a large speed-boat and visited islands and harbours in a feverish search. At one island the name Tom was known and that set him on the trail. He docked at a small island, stepped off his boat and in a short walk was in the market-place. There in front of him was Barish. She was buying vegetables and her back was turned to him. He tapped her on the shoulder and she turned.
‘Heavens! Why are you here?’ ‘To find my wife’. ‘That’s finished, Jasper. Now we have nothing in common’. She described her new life with Tom and his friend in their little house on the beach.
Now that he was successful and rich he offered her a dazzling life. He spoke of his visit to Ragba Island and the opportunities it offered. He didn’t ask about her experience.
They faced each other. ‘Go’ said Barish. ‘I have no desire to see you again’. She picked up her vegetables, turned and walked off.
Jasper returned to his boat. When the sun was set he walked along the beach until he came to the little house where Tom lived. Inside he heard laughter and happy voices. He stood outside, then in a firm voice he called out ‘Barish’ and pulled out a small gun. Indian Barish rushed out and Jasper fired. She fell to the ground and died a few moments later in the arms of Tom.
Jasper ran back to his boat and soon was heading out to sea. He had spoken to no-one on the island. Except, of course, his wife. But she was now dead. Strange that in the uncertain light the woman he shot seemed smaller and more frail. The churning engine and the darkening sky gave him hope that he had left no trace of being on the island and of his visit to the hut.
The next day the body of Indian Barish was consumed with fire beside a quiet sea. Beyond the flames, in another space her soul spread its wings. After a few days Tom decided to leave the island and the little house on the beach. His days of wandering were not yet over.
Jasper finally moored in a busy port where he left the boat. He lodged in a small inn on a hilltop next to a little farm where pigs and hens ran about. Early, every morning a cockerel crowed standing on a dung heap. After a restless month Jasper walked into the main police station and informed an officer of his crime. At his trial he pleaded that he had meant to only frighten his wife and the gun went off by accident. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. His story was a sensation in the international media and reached the ears of Barish still living in the little hut on the beach.
