27th March 2009

Thank God it’s Friday!

At 10am, Heather and I set out for Dilli Haat. It took us forty-five minutes to get there. Our taxi-driver parked closer to the entrance. We bought the entrance ticket and went inside. It was a beautiful place. We are just arriving when the market was opening at 11am. Most of the shop owners were busied arranging their stalls.

We wandered round, examining the goods, the handcraft images of the various India demi-gods. We went to look at the cloths, the fancy bracelets, the handmade table mats, and of course the shawls. I bought few gifts that I will be taking back to France.

It took us longer than we planned because Heather kept changing her mind over what wanted to buy. She would price it, and then go away to another store. We would have gone to another store and buy something else. While we supposed to be heading forward, she would cry out that she needs to go back to that first store to recover the good she’d earlier rejected. It was like following a child who is uncertain about his choice of chocolate. By 1:28pm we were still at the store.

Then she became worried that Devena will not wait for her because the latter want to go to Rajasthan and Heather wants her to give her a lift. She pleaded with the stall owner if she can use his handset. The man gave it gladly. She called Devena and informed her that we are on our way back to the residence. She equally told Devena to keep our lunch for us.

I guess Devena was not happy that Heather might delay her trip. She insisted that she will leave earlier than she previewed. Heather begged her further. We hurried off to the taxi-driver. I was expecting us to go straight to Sanskriti but on our way, Heather ordered the taxi driver to pause to Haus-Khaus market. She stated she needs to pick a tailor made trouser that she gave for sewing.

I gave in anyway. After all, I am not the one in a hurry nor am I the one going to Rajasthan with Devena that afternoon. Well, she came out of Haus-Khaus on time. We reached the residence by 3:24pm.

We deposited the bags in our respective studios. We went for the lunch. Devena was still there, waiting for Heather as well as her family to come and pick her. She did not sound angry as Heather described her before.

I was busied wanting to recharge my credit on my phone when I heard Heather talking on the office phone to Niriti who works at the Sanskriti Headquarter. There seemed to be a problem because by the time Heather replaced the handset, she was boiling with anger and desperation.
I wish I can find out the entire detail. Devena’s family arrived. Heather had not finished packing her small bag for Rajasthan and also resolved the problem she’d had with Niriti over the phone. Devena was a patient though she tried to make Heather understand that her husband and children are waiting in the car.

Heather ran to her room. She returned and came to Mr. Mullinar. She gave him a piece of paper, explaining what he will do with it. The man was not happy. Devena stood at the door, now impatiently waiting. Heather ran back to her studio. She came back to the office, bearing her haversack, an unfold towel and blanket. We helped her to fold the towel and blanket. She and Devena left us.

I said goodbye to Heather because she return on Wednesday and it is that same day, as earlier as dawn that I will be on my way back to France. We had exchanged contacts earlier in the afternoon.

Well, the problem between Heather and Mullinar still stay on until Heather returns from her short trip. She must return to Australia next week Friday. So I hope she will be able to resolve this situation before she leaves.

I pray for her!