Bombay Time (34 page)

And then suddenly, they were home. A murmur went through the bus when Wadia Baug finally loomed in front of them. A gush of relief ran through Rusi. He felt as if he were the survivor of a ship-wreck and the building were a large, majestic ship that would rescue him. Obviously, the others felt the same way. “Oh, thank God,” Bomi whispered. “Home sweet home.”

Yes, home. Once again, the whiff of urine from the outside wall as the minibus enters the building compound; once again, the tall outline of the six coconut trees inside the compound. And then the short walk through the foyer to their individual flats, the murmured chorus of “Good night” and “See you in the morning.” The turning of keys and the turning on of lights. For those on the top floors, the long climb up the wooden steps, the steps that usually made their arthritic knees grind in protest. But tonight, no one is complaining. They are just so glad to be home. They are already imagining how good their beds will feel tonight, how wonderful they will feel when sleep finally comes,
if
sleep finally comes. They are determined to wake up tomorrow having put all this badness out of their minds. Arguing with the butcher and fighting with the milkman will drive all other thoughts out of their heads. In the days to come, they will check in on Sheroo a few times, but other than that, they will concentrate on how wonderful the reception was, how good the food was, how much fun they had had before … before—but they are already beginning to forget. They will hold on to their dreams of Mehernosh just as they will hold on to their photo albums. Yes, they will remember Wadia Baug and they will do their best to forget the city that it is housed in. They will choose memory over imagination. It is less dangerous that way.

Abroo-ijjat:
Shame; reputation.

Achha:
Okay, all right.

Ayah:
Nanny.

Bas:
Enough.

Besharam:
Shameless.

Biryani:
Rice dish made with spicy meat and potatos.

Boodha:
Old man.

Dava:
Medicine.

Deekra:
Literally means “son” but often is used as a term of endearment by an older person to address someone younger.

Dhansak:
Quintessential Parsi dish consisting of spicy lentils eaten with caramelized rice.

Fatta-faat:
Immediately; quickly.

Gadhera:
Donkey, fool.

Guss-puss:
Conspiratorial whispering.

Hijra:
Eunuch.

Inshallah:
God willing.

Jadoogar:
Magician.

Jaldi-jaldi:
Hurriedly.

Kanjoos:
Cheapskate.

Khoollam-khoolla:
Openly, with nothing to hide.

Lattoo-fattoo:
Head over heels in love.

Maaf karo:
Forgive me.

Mamala:
Affair; business.

Paagal:
Crazy.

Samosa:
Deep-fried triangular pastry stuffed with mutton or vegetables.

Su che:
What is it?

Tingal-tangal:
Tricks; mischief-making.

Yaar:
Buddy.