North from Calcutta

by Duane Evans

  “I guess my discovery was just the blind luck of a tourist. I tend to be drawn toward gardens and anything green and growing. The older I get, the more I appreciate such things.”

  “Mr. Durrani, you are a lucky man for becoming appreciative of the wonders of nature. Many never even notice. For them, I believe, their lives are spent in a kind of ignorant distraction. A life spent without the love of nature is less than half a life. The awful loss that those who are blind to nature must feel when, in the final moments of life, the true reality opens up to these poor souls…” Advani trailed off in his speech for a moment, then finished his thought saying, “Such anguish they must endure at that moment when they realize they have missed out on life’s better part.”

  Advani’s words conveyed a deep compassion, and Tarek sensed an authority in his voice.

  Despite the more serious turn the conversation had taken, Tarek managed to quickly move it back to a lighter footing. For several minutes more, he and Advani chatted on in easy conversation until they were told their table was ready.

  At Tarek’s insistence, Advani selected their meal, picking a delicious combination of lamb and vegetarian dishes. Enjoying the conversation as much as the food, Tarek found himself fascinated by Advani. Prior to their meeting Tarek had thoroughly researched Advani’s professional accomplishments as an engineer and builder. Still, other than this information and the fact that Advani had obtained his engineering degree in London, as Tarek himself had, he had learned little else about this man.

  After only half an hour of conversation, Tarek realized just how extraordinary Advani was. He was obviously a visionary, with the ability to develop complex designs to custom-fit complicated, large-scale building objectives. From their conversation and from what Tarek had gleaned in publications about his work, Advani had been thinking “out of the box” since the day he took up engineering. Just listening to Advani describe how he approached his projects was refreshing and motivating for Tarek.

  To Tarek’s surprise, as Advani talked on, he felt a pang of regret for not having pursued engineering as a career. It was not because he thought he might have become an engineer of Advani’s stature, but because Advani took such obvious satisfaction from having worked hard and, as Advani noted, “then being able to stand back and see just what I had accomplished.” This was something Tarek had rarely been able to enjoy in his profession. During his intelligence career, he had learned that his achievements often could only be seen in the abstract, if at all.

  Given Advani’s renown, Tarek was surprised by the man’s humility and complete lack of pretense; yet he was as self-confident as any man Tarek had met. Although it took a while for Tarek to make the connection, it was in Advani’s generosity and authentic nature that his confidence seemed grounded. Tarek’s assessment was that Advani knew who he was, and that he needed nothing from anyone—not money, not praise, not recognition, none of the things that most men sought. Tarek thought it was a good thing he did not intend to recruit Advani as an agent, as he had little to offer that Advani would likely consider worthwhile, save perhaps his friendship, which Tarek had learned could at times be the most important commodity of all.

  It was not until the meal was almost over that Tarek introduced the topic of the business proposal he had sent Advani several weeks previously. Advani asked no questions as Tarek laid out the concept, emphasizing the importance of exposing young engineers to the masters of the profession who had excelled in meeting major engineering challenges. Tarek noted that there were only a handful of engineers of Advani’s expertise and experience, and added that having met Advani, he was certain Advani could be a powerful influence on young engineers, inspiring them to great accomplishments.

  As an intelligence officer, Tarek was at his best in these circumstances, masterfully playing the role that the operation called for. Anyone watching and listening to Tarek would have believed the proposal he was discussing was genuine and that he was just who he pretended to be. At that moment, Tarek even believed it himself.

  As Tarek got into the details of how the program would work, Advani asked a few basic questions and acknowledged that he liked the idea and was interested in the proposal. Tarek sensed a reservation, however. He doubted Advani had any concern about compensation. Deciding it best that Advani did not feel pressured, Tarek concluded his pitch by telling him to think it over for a couple of days, noting that his return flight to Dubai was not until Wednesday.

  Advani nodded his head, then said, “Mr. Durrani, I feel it only right that I should give you some idea of what I am thinking at this point. As I said in my initial response to you, the idea of your program appeals to me. My main reservation stems from a personal matter involving my daughter, who, by the way is an accomplished architect. I do not wish to burden you with my personal concerns, but this matter does impact on my availability for your proposal. While my daughter has encouraged me to accept your offer, I am worried that right now she is going through some difficult times, and I am therefore reluctant to take up any activity that would take me away from her.”

  Tarek nodded his understanding as Advani spoke. It was obvious the issue of the daughter was a sincere one, not simply something Advani threw out as an excuse. Advani’s character was such that Tarek was certain family matters took precedence above all else.

  In a sympathetic tone, Tarek responded, “I understand completely. There is nothing more important than the welfare of a family member, and I in no way want you to agree to something you do not feel comfortable with.”

  At this point, Advani raised his hand slightly and said, “I do not want to give you the wrong impression of my daughter. She is an incredibly talented woman. It is just that she seems to be less enthusiastic about her life than in the past. Perhaps I am an over-worried father.” Shaking his head, Advani continued. “I just want her to be content with her life, and right now, perhaps she needs me more than your firm does.”

  Tarek looked into Advani’s clear eyes and saw for himself the concern this man was feeling for his daughter. At the same moment, Tarek knew that his job had just become tougher. Tarek had been in these spots before and knew that the ops plan he had so painstakingly put together would require some on-the-fly modifications if it was to succeed.

  Having nearly closed the door on Tarek’s plan, Advani then opened it back up, if only a little, by saying, “All that said, I am still undecided. Frankly, I am impressed with you and your proposal. Was this not the case, I would have already declined your offer. So, I will agree to consider this further— with one provision. You must accept my invitation to have tea at my residence tomorrow afternoon. It would give us an opportunity to get to know one another better, and I can show you my project portfolio, which will better acquaint you with some of the projects I have built.”

  Tarek had mixed feelings about going to Advani’s residence, but, under the circumstances, he had no choice, and Advani’s reference to his portfolio was intriguing. With some luck, it would contain information on the design of Farakka Barrage, the one project of Advani’s that Tarek cared anything about.

  “Of course, Engineer. I gladly accept your invitation,” Tarek responded. “It will be an honor for me to visit you at your home.”

  “Excellent. Here is my card with my home address. I am probably no more than 20 minutes by taxi from your hotel. Please dress comfortably; there is no need for coat and tie.

  Tarek and Advani spent another half-hour in conversation over spiced chai before saying their good-byes. Tarek watched Advani get into a taxi and drive away. A remarkable man, he thought, realizing that such experiences were what had kept him in the intel game for so many years.

  16

  The following day, Tarek stood outside the stone-columned entranceway of the Advani residence and looked through the heavy metal gate for any sign of a guard. Seeing none, he rang the bell and waited. Standing in the bright sun, he quickly began to perspire. The shaded garden on the other side of the thick wall began to lo
ok increasingly inviting. Tarek was about to ring the bell a second time when a barefooted boy about 12 years of age came trotting down the narrow walkway from the house and slowly pulled back the gate, which creaked loudly on its hinges.

  “Hello, Sahib,” he said with a bright smile stretched across his tanned face. “Please come in. It very hot today.”

  Tarek stepped through the gate.

  “Sorry you wait, Sahib. I go for a drink and not hear you.”

  The sleepy look of the boy’s eyes gave rise to Tarek’s suspicion that the ring of the gate bell had awakened him from an afternoon slumber in a cooler spot. Noticing the small tin-roofed gatehouse baking in the sun, Tarek could hardly blame the boy for not being at his post.

  “No problem,” Tarek replied. “What is your name, son?”

  “Amin.” His smile brightening further at Tarek’s interest in him.

  “Well, Amin, thank you for coming so quickly to let me in. Are you the gate guard?”

  “Yes, I am . . . but not night time. Then guard man come.”

  I see,” Tarek said. “Have you worked for the Advanis very long?”

  “Not long, Sahib. My sister work here in kitchen a year, and she ask Madam if I can work too. Madam say yes, so I help gardener and guard gate.”

  “It sounds like you are a busy young man,” Tarek said.

  “Oh, very busy. And I go to school, too,” Amin added with obvious pride.

  “Oh really?” Tarek asked, surprised that the boy’s family could afford to send him to school—not often an option for children of the servant class.

  Tarek followed Amin down the shaded walkway. He recalled from his research that Advani was a widower. The Madam to whom Amin had referred must be Advani’s daughter. I should put a good word in for Amin if I meet her, Tarek thought to himself.

  At the massive front door, Amin reached up and rang the door bell. “Madam say if I work, I go to school too, but my sister told her this not possible. My father he dead and my mother no has money, and that is why I want to work like sister, so I give money to mother. Madam say ‘no problem,’ and she put me in morning school.”

  “I see,” Tarek said, smiling at the boy. “You are a very lucky boy. You are in school and have a job. That is very good.”

  “Yes. Madam and Engineer good people and they care for me and my sister. I work hard for them.”

  As Tarek listened to Amin, he realized how much he was enjoying talking to him. He had so few opportunities to talk with children of Amin’s age, and it reminded him of his own youth, a time he remembered with great fondness.

  A male house servant opened the door, and Tarek said a quick goodbye to Amin, who trotted back down the walkway.

  The house servant ushered Tarek into a large tiled foyer illuminated by an elegant wrought-iron chandelier.

  “Please wait here, Sir, and have a seat if you please,” the servant said, indicating a nearby wing chair.

  Tarek remained standing. From what he could see of the house from the foyer, it was tastefully decorated with fine furnishings, some likely imported. The home did not seem to match well with the Advani that Tarek had met the day before. He had seemed such a humble man despite his great accomplishments; this house and its decorations, however, were anything but humble.

  Tarek heard quiet footsteps approaching. Advani, dressed in traditional kurta pajama, entered the foyer.

  “Mr. Durrani, I am so glad to see you. Welcome to my home,” Advani greeted Tarek, shaking his hand and clasping Tarek’s shoulder. “Please come this way. We will sit in the garden room and take our tea there.”

  As they walked down the hallway, Tarek was able to glimpse several rooms. All had high ceilings with ornate wood trim and tiled floors. Each was decorated with handcrafted furniture and porcelain figurines. Oil paintings adorned the walls and colorful Persian carpets were scattered here and there.

  “Engineer, your home is so lovely. I can imagine you never want to leave it,” Tarek said.

  “I have my beloved wife to thank for the beauty of this home. She was a renowned interior designer, and every article that you see she personally selected. I learned from her that nature is not the only place where we can find extraordinary beauty,” Advani said as the two men arrived at the garden room.

  The room jutted out from the rear of the main house into the garden. Large windows along the three exterior walls permitted an unobstructed view of the flowers and mango trees. Well-crafted rattan furniture with floral seat cushions accented the room.

  “What a wonderful room,” Tarek said with an admiring glance around.

  “Please sit down,” Advani said. “This room is particularly special. It was designed and decorated by my daughter, and it was her first architectural project. At first I resisted having the room added on because I did not want to change the original structure of the house, which has been in my family for three generations. But Sahar can be very persuasive when she gets an idea, and now I am quite happy with the result of her work.”

  “If this was her first project, I can only imagine the kind of work she is doing now,” Tarek said.

  “You are quite right. She is a brilliant architect, and she is currently designing a new wing of the National Library. I had hoped you would get to meet her today, but she was called to a meeting by the committee overseeing the project.”

  “Well I’m sorry I will not be able to meet her,” Tarek said, although in truth he was quite content to minimize his involvement with the Advani family. He had only one purpose in coming, and that was to get a look at the design plans for Farakka Barrage.

  They had no sooner seated themselves than tea and cookies were served by a young woman dressed in a green and gold sari. Tarek saw that she resembled the gate boy. He smiled at the woman as she served his tea and told her of his encounter with Amin, noting what a bright boy he seemed to be. She returned Tarek’s smile shyly and thanked him for his kindness in saying this about her young brother.

  When she had gone from the room, Advani told Tarek that the young woman had come to his home asking for employment after the death of her father. The head servant had told her there was no work, and the woman was almost out the gate when Sahar, who had overheard the conversation, came out of the house and called her back. After talking with her briefly, Sahar gave her a job.

  “I have no doubt Sahar saved her life that day,” Advani said. “Had she not found work here, she would likely have become a prostitute as the only way for her family to survive. And becoming a prostitute in India is a sentence to death by AIDS.”

  “Allah was surely smiling on her the day she appeared at your gate,” Tarek said.

  “I’m sure He was,” Advani said, and then after a slight pause continued, his eyes intently looking into Tarek’s, “For God smiles on each of us everyday, although we seldom realize it.”

  Tarek was not sure what to say in reply. He had seen so much in his life that seemed to indicate otherwise that in good conscience he could not agree with Advani on this point. So many desperately poor people scattered throughout the world, barely surviving from day to day. So many tragedies, so much war, so much suffering and pain.

  “I see you are considering the validity of my statement,” Advani said. “This is good. Bold statements about God should not be accepted at face value, and ultimately knowledge of God can only come from direct experience.”

  Tarek nodded, “I’m afraid my experiences at this point in my life have not allowed me to make many conclusions about Allah although I certainly do have some ideas.”

  “I understand,” Advani said. “So, rather than my trying to convince you of my belief, I will leave it to God to reveal himself in the way he wishes you to know him. Here in India, we have a tradition that a man spends the early part of his life becoming educated about the things of the world. When the time comes, he enters a profession, takes a wife, and raises a family. So much time is required to meet the demands of his job and family, little time is left for God. Fin
ally the day comes when the responsibility of caring for his family is largely over, and the man retires from his profession. It is at this point, that his search for God begins in earnest.”

  “And is this where you are now in your life, Engineer?” Tarek asked.

  Advani smiled. “No, Mr. Durrani. My search has ended.”

  “You believe you have found God?” Tarek asked, and although not intended, the question sounded more like a challenge.

  Advani took no offense but responded in a soft voice, “To speak of one’s personal experience of having direct consciousness of God should generally be avoided, as there is no experience more precious or sublime than this. Using words to describe it, even the loveliest of words, is like throwing the vilest filth on fresh fallen snow. But in answer to your question, no, I do not ‘believe’ I have found God as you put it. I know I have, and there is a universe of difference between believing and knowing when we speak of God.”

  As Tarek listened to Advani, he could feel the certainty in the old man’s voice, an absolute authority that he conveyed in a powerful way. In the course of his life, Tarek had met only a couple of people who conveyed such authority when speaking of God. One had been a Sufi, the other a Christian. Now here was a Hindu speaking with the same self-evident authority. I suppose no religion has cornered the market on God, Tarek thought to himself.

  At that moment Tarek caught sight through the window of a flock of green parrots descending into the trees of the garden. Advani also saw the parrots and said excitedly “They are back! I knew their migration had already begun, but these are the first I’ve seen this year!”

  “They are beautiful,” Tarek said.

  “Yes, they are. And their appearance always comes at auspicious moments.” Advani then asked, “Do you enjoy bird watching?”

  Without waiting for a response, he stood up and said, “Please, excuse me. I’ll be right back. I have something to show you. As a man who loves nature, you will appreciate it more than most.”