"Kyekk kyekk..." Nelson coughed as he struggled to get up from the chair after sitting for too long. The evening sky had darkened, and a few birds fluttered nearby, perching on his shoulder as if he were a statue. Once, they had been afraid to come close, but lately, they had grown comfortable around him.

It had become a routine—Nelson sitting on the first-floor balcony of his house in Kalasa, gazing over his coffee plantation as dusk settled. His house stood in isolation, with no neighbours nearby.

He stood up and glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was past 8 PM. He realized he had been sitting there since 4 PM, still holding an empty cup of tea. Walking to the sink, he splashed cold water on his face. His grey beard had grown long, making him look older than his age. Weeks had passed since he last shaved, and he had no interest in doing so.

But the message he had received that afternoon had stirred something within him—an unusual spark of energy. Looking around, he noticed how untidy the house had become. Things were scattered everywhere, and in the corners, he saw mice scurrying.

"The time has come," he murmured, recalling the message. Wiping his face, he cleaned his glasses, picked up his phone, and checked the message again. 

Hi Nelson, hope you're doing fine.

Natasha and I are coming down to Mangalore next Sunday. Could you meet up? Or maybe we can plan to meet in Kalasa sometime next week? 

The message was from Prinita. A surprise, indeed. 

For the past six months, he had been trying to contact her. After reconnecting on Facebook, he had sent her occasional messages, but she never seemed to have the time to respond.

And now, suddenly, this message—an opportunity to meet.

Prinita. His ex-wife—formally and legally. 

Nelson’s priority was to clean up the mess and get everything in order. Prinita had mentioned that she might come down to Kalasa with their seven-year-old daughter, Natasha. If they were meeting here, everything needed to be perfect. With a week still left, it was best to start early. He decided to begin by attending early morning Mass the next day.

That night, after a simple meal, Nelson went to bed.

The next morning, after Mass, he felt an unexplainable peace—a deep joy, 

Almost 20 years ago—Nelson’s first flight to the Gulf. He had been issued a visit visa valid for three months. Things were very different back then—paperwork was still the norm, and email had just been introduced.

Sitting by the window, he experienced his first take-off. As the plane ascended, he instinctively gripped his seat tightly, much like he did on buses. He reached into his pocket to check for the rosary his mother, Stella, had placed there. 

"Kagdaa borovn aas re putha... amchi kant karnaka... tujo pudar boro zalyaar puro... Devache besav tuka... bore karn voson ye." ("Don't forget to write me a letter, son. Don't worry about me—just focus on your future. May God bless you. Bye!")         

Nelson hugged her tightly, unable to hold back his tears. Seeing him overwhelmed, Stella wiped her own tears and comforted him with a smile and a reassuring nod. 

On the flight, he plugged in his earphones. As Chaiyya Chaiyya played—a Bollywood song featuring a dance on top of a moving train—it filled him with a fresh sense of rhythm and high hopes for the future. It reminded him of the struggles ahead, the determination needed to face challenges, and the sacrifices required to succeed and build a stable life. 

His three-month stay at a relative’s house wasn’t enough to secure a job. But with the help of contacts and persistence, he finally found one. The joy was immense—after a long struggle, success always felt more valuable.

And so, Nelson’s life in the Gulf began—a new place, a new climate, one that was mostly hot and humid, where air conditioning was a necessity rather than a luxury. 

His first month’s salary was already committed to buying essential items, but budgeting was tricky. The high cost of living, the attractive brands, and the confusion of currency conversion made things challenging. A small amount in Gulf currency seemed large back home, yet when it came to purchasing necessities, it felt insufficient.

Time passed, and letters and occasional phone booth calls were his only connection to home. 

Nelson worked in a cargo and freight forwarding office, an environment that demanded adaptability, dynamic work nature and efficiency. Thanks to his fluent English, he quickly adjusted. It wasn’t long before his subordinate, Dillani, a Sri Lankan woman, began admiring him. She appreciated his stylish dressing sense and intelligence. However, Nelson showed no particular interest.

Things carried on as usual until Dillani’s late-evening work calls gradually turned personal—expressing concern for him, discussing life beyond work. Eventually, these conversations led to weekend meetups. Their bond grew stronger over time, but one day, unexpectedly, Dillani submitted her resignation.

Nelson was taken aback by her decision, especially since their friendship had only just turned serious. Having grown up as an only child, losing his father at a young age, and being raised solely by his mother, Nelson had always been focused on his studies and responsibilities. He had never been this close to a girl before, and he feared that once Dillani left, he might feel like a fish out of water.

The day of Dillani’s departure arrived, and their final meetings were filled with emotion. As she flew back to Sri Lanka, Nelson expected to feel heartbroken. But surprisingly, when he returned home from the airport, he realized there was no deep sadness—no dramatic heartbreak. Instead, he felt a sense of strength and relief, knowing he wasn’t someone who would easily fall into sentimental emotions. 

A sudden noise from the portico in the darkness jolted Nelson back to reality. Grabbing his torch, he walked to the road, scanning his surroundings. A wild animal could easily destroy the plantation at Kalasa. Seeing nothing, he turned back and locked the door from the inside. 

And then, his thoughts drifted into the past… 

Life in the Gulf moved on, and soon, Nelson’s attention shifted to Marlin, the newly hired receptionist—a Filipina. By this time, he had obtained his driver’s license, received a promotion, and refined his dressing style, especially to impress Marlin.

With her Filipino-accented English, Marlin often complimented Nelson’s fashion sense. One day, when he mentioned his plan to rent a car for the long weekend, Marlin responded enthusiastically, “Very good, sir!” As planned, Nelson rented a Toyota RAV4 for his four-day trip. That evening, Marlin called to check if he had picked up the car and soon expressed her willingness to join. Though she already had three Filipino colleagues planning to come along, Nelson—despite some initial hesitation—agreed.

The next day, as planned, they went on a trip to Hatta, accompanied by Marlin, two other ladies, and a guy named Jericho. Though Jericho was male, his feminine mannerisms made him blend seamlessly with Marlin’s other friends. On the last day of the trip, Marlin joined Nelson alone for grocery shopping, and he ended up paying at the counter.

Their bond grew, and soon, Marlin started freely joining Nelson on weekends for cooking sessions, mild drinking, and karaoke. Their relationship became intimate, and though Nelson occasionally thought of ending it, Marlin wouldn’t let go so easily. Eventually, their story came to an end when Marlin found a better job in another city. 

Life continued, and one weekend, Nelson attended a community gathering that turned into an evening of fun and socializing. This led to regular meetups at Freddy’s house, a 2BHK villa, where Nelson and four other young men bonded over Goan-style pork dishes and late-night chats, often joking about Rampanna and Devdas Kapikad’s drama scenes. Freddy always ensured there was enough liquor, thanks to his license. These gatherings soon became a routine. 

One weekend, during one such gathering, a guy from the group who hailed from Mumbai brought his sister, Zeeta, who was visiting in search of a job. Her CV was shared with Nelson, and with the collective efforts of the group, she secured employment. Over time, Nelson and Zeeta developed a connection. Since Zeeta was considering marriage, Nelson hinted that his mother was also pressuring him to settle down. However, he knew this was just a short-term affair, like the others before. Zeeta, on the other hand, believed Nelson was serious about the relationship and started joining the gatherings at Freddy’s house more often. 

Flashing raindrops on the window brought Nelson back to reality. A heavy downpour that night in Kalasa lulled him to sleep. 

The next morning, he resumed his tasks—after handing over the Jeep for repairs. He wanted it to be in perfect condition in case Natasha and Prinita decided to stay longer for sightseeing. To return home, he rented an auto and brought in two helpers for painting work. 

As he returned, he continued working, but his thoughts remained in the Gulf… 

Things were going well until one day, Nelson’s mother, Stella, expressed her concerns over a phone call. Her health was deteriorating, and she urged Nelson to find a life partner. She mentioned meeting Prinita at a church function—a neighbour Nelson vaguely remembered from childhood. Stella spoke highly of Prinita, saying she had grown into a beautiful young woman and had recently completed her graduation.

Stella had already spoken to Prinita’s parents, and they were happy about a possible proposal.

"Now, they are eagerly asking when you’re coming," Stella said. 

Remembering those days, Nelson wiped the dust off their wedding photo frame. Once proudly displayed on the wall, it had now been hidden away on top of the cupboard. Finally, it was time to wipe off the dust.?.. 

She was an absolute beauty…

Nelson had flown down as Stella intended. They first met at a coffee shop near Milagres in Mangalore, and Nelson was stunned by Prinita’s beauty. The few steps they walked together under an umbrella on a rainy day were among the most amazing moments of his life. Their marriage happened quickly. Wanting to match the lavish celebrations of those who had returned from abroad, Nelson took out a loan to afford a grand wedding. He looked dashing, and Prinita, with her elegance and charm, made the occasion even more special.

After the paperwork was completed, both flew to Dubai. This time, Nelson rented a spacious house and even booked an affordable vehicle. With that, the gatherings at Freddy’s house became less frequent, and Nelson could now afford a liquor license, allowing him to host gatherings at home.

Prinita marvelled at life in the Gulf—the markets overflowing with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the fish market, which was many times larger than the one back in her hometown.

In those initial days, Nelson happened to notice a heart emoji on Prinita’s phone. His curiosity grew, and one evening, he overheard her talking to someone online, sounding as if she was trying to convince them of something.

Hearing this, Nelson felt as if the ground beneath him had shattered. But he didn’t rush to confront her. He decided to wait for the right moment. 

One weekend evening, after a few drinks, Nelson finally brought up the topic. Prinita, who was cooking, immediately turned defensive but soon confessed. She explained that she had been talking to a man named Rocky, who had once proposed to her. They had worked in the same company, and he often expressed his feelings for her. However, since she was unsure of her parents' approval, she never gave him an answer. Eventually, their conversations cooled off.

Nelson listened, trying to believe her words. Though the matter never surfaced again, it left him feeling a little more possessive about her—perhaps due to his own past relationships and how they had changed him. 

Prinita later found a job that suited her education, keeping her busy with work. Nelson, on the other hand, enjoyed their Friday outings, weekday grocery runs, and frequent Thursday evening drinking sessions. Life was fun-filled and jovial, filled with love and laughter. Their annual trips back to India were extravagant, creating wonderful memories. 

"Boss, should we paint this corner?" asked one of the two helpers assigned to painting. Which brought back Nelson into present mode 

Nelson coughed, pointed out the area, and then drifted back into his thoughts… 

Life, like a scale, often tilts more to one side—whether toward happiness or sadness. Nelson and Prinita’s once-beautiful life slowly leaned toward the sadder side as excessive enjoyment unknowingly led to Nelson’s growing addiction to alcohol. Weekend drinking turned into daily drinking, and before long, his time for family shrank while intoxication consumed more of his days.

Prinita’s concerns were brushed aside. While she ensured there was still enough time for grocery shopping, most household responsibilities fell on her. Initially, she found Nelson’s drunken conversations amusing, but as they grew longer and more repetitive, amusement turned into irritation. Small verbal fights became common, as Nelson saw her warnings as opposition rather than concern. Despite this, he remained an excellent employee at work—strong-willed and confident, especially when fuelled by alcohol. 

One day, Prinita missed a period. When she confirmed that she was pregnant, she believed this would be the moment Nelson would change and finally embrace his role as a family man. They celebrated the news, and Nelson was overjoyed at the thought of becoming a father. Yet, unable to contain his happiness, he opened a bottle that night once again.

As time passed, Prinita firmly urged him to take responsibility, but her words often fell on deaf ears at night. By morning, he was a different man—apologetic and promising change. This cycle continued.

One evening, after a check-up, Prinita returned home late from work. She tried calling Nelson, but he didn’t answer. Frustrated, she considered her options and decided to ask Pritam, a young colleague from her accounting department, for help. He was around her age, maybe younger, and had always been supportive at work. Without hesitation, Pritam agreed.

On their way home, they stopped to pick up groceries, and Pritam carried her bag for her. As they reached her doorstep, Prinita hesitated, thanked Pritam, and asked him to return, fearing Nelson might misunderstand the situation. She turned the key and stepped inside.

Nelson was sitting inside, busy on his phone, holding a glass in his hand. His conversation sounded work-related and important, but the sight of the glass filled Prinita with disgust. He hung up and mumbled an apology, but she was already fed up. Heated words were exchanged, and resentment simmered between them. 

From then onwards, Nelson seemed to settle into a routine—attending regular church visits and taking Prinita on sightseeing outings. Once in a while, he helped with grocery shopping and cooking. However, no one knew that a final eruption was about to take place.

Prinita was in her fifth month of pregnancy, going for regular check-ups, as usual, accompanied by Pritam. Occasionally, he would stop by, and Prinita would offer him tea or juice before he left, though Nelson was often too busy drinking to notice.

One day, Pritam came in while Nelson was heavily intoxicated. Prinita had ordered milk through home delivery and asked Nelson to pay. As he tried to get up, he fell back onto the sofa, too drunk to move. Seeing this, Pritam stepped in to assist.

Prinita paid for the groceries and then started yelling at Nelson. Feeling ashamed in front of Pritam, Nelson retaliated with firm replies, his mind flashing back to memories of Rocky. This enraged Prinita, and the argument escalated. As she stormed into the kitchen, Pritam followed her to console her. She was furious and overwhelmed with emotion, and suddenly, she broke into tears.

Pritam, who had never seen Prinita in such a state, instinctively wiped her tears and hugged her. It lasted only a moment before Prinita felt something unusual—she pushed Pritam away and screamed at him to leave. Shocked by her reaction, Pritam quickly stepped back and left quietly.

Prinita sat on the floor, deep in thought. "Men are all the same… If a husband is proper, why would another man touch me?" she thought bitterly, feeling dejected and disappointed in all men. 

The next day, she made sure Pritam was transferred to another office through her boss. By evening, she had arranged for another place to live and left Nelson forever. 

On his way to his new office in Abu Dhabi, Pritam was lost in thought. He had come with dreams of gaining knowledge and experience. Initially, working under Prinita had been a great learning experience, but his genuine interest in his work had been misinterpreted as something personal. Professionalism had been misused, and he had become the subject of teasing among colleagues for helping Prinita too much. On that particular day, Prinita had been angry, overwhelmed by her pregnancy, and he had only wanted to console her. He had feelings for her, but not in the way Prinita had misunderstood. His apology was not accepted, and realizing his mistake of crossing professional boundaries, he himself requested a transfer from his higher-ups. It was a harsh lesson learned. 

The next day, Nelson returned home from office to find the house empty. A small note lay on the table: "I'm going away. Don't look for me. I'll be fine… and we will see each other through legal channels." 

A loud thud suddenly shook Nelson back to reality. Alarmed, he turned to the painters and asked, "What was that sound?" 

"It might have been a coconut falling on the roof," one of them replied.

Nelson wiped the sweat from his forehead and drifted into thought once again. 

After Prinita left the flat in Dubai, Nelson sat in shock for days, unable to process what had gone wrong. Rocky’s message had made him insecure, fuelling his possessiveness. However, his concern had been exaggerated and misunderstood. In front of others, Prinita labelled him overly possessive and suspicious. During phone calls with her friends, she frequently blamed Nelson. The deep love he had for her was never acknowledged—his efforts went unnoticed, everything he did was underestimated, while his faults were magnified. This pushed him further into drinking, and soon, he was labelled a drunkard. Their relationship spiralled out of control to the point where it could no longer be repaired.

Pritam had unknowingly become a substitute for everything Nelson lacked, yet nothing was ever openly discussed with him. 

Then came the final blow—Nelson was terminated from his job. The news shattered him completely. In his distress, he drank excessively, leading to a disastrous situation. With no other choice, he was forced to leave Dubai forever and return to India. 

As the painters finished their work for the day, they bid him farewell. Nelson went to pay them, then picked up Stella’s photo, carefully removing the garland he had placed around it. Instantly, memories of his mother flooded his mind. It had been three years since Stella had left this world. As he placed a fresh flower garland on her photo, Nelson once again drifted into the past. 

Back in India, Nelson was consumed by thoughts of revenge. Meanwhile, Prinita was also in Mangalore for her delivery and to proceed with the divorce. Nelson was blamed and ordered to pay a hefty alimony, but he was in no position to afford it.

In an act of retaliation, Nelson started dating a girl from Goa through a matrimonial site. He told her he held a high-ranking job in the Gulf and that she would be moving there with him. Eventually, they started staying together in Kalasa. His extravagant lifestyle continued until fate intervened—his car crashed into a divider, leaving him with a fractured leg. 

Bedridden and helpless, Nelson relied on his new wife, Maria, for care. However, Maria, already unhappy about living in a place far smaller than her dream city of Mumbai, soon realized that most of what he had told her before marriage was untrue. Using the excuse of visiting her family in Goa, she left—and never returned. 

This shattered Nelson’s ego. He struggled to manage his daily routine, unable to move or tend to his wounds. Complete isolation set in. He finally understood the harsh reality of life—when he was fit and well, everything had seemed beautiful, but now, all his problems had come at once, and he had no one by his side. Overcome with remorse, he turned to prayer. 

One day, the doorbell rang. With great difficulty, Nelson opened the door to find an aged man standing before him. The man held Nelson’s hand and helped him back to his bed.

"I’m Abraham, a member of the parish," the man introduced himself. "I run an NGO for people in need."

Nelson nodded in recognition—he remembered Abraham from before, a man who owns a small piece of land and a house, much like himself.

"Come on, Nelson, you need to replace the bandage," Abraham said as he assisted him to the bathroom, he gave him a bath, cleaned his wounds, dressed his leg, and served him a meal he had brought.

This care continued until Nelson regained enough strength to manage on his own. 

Once recovered, Nelson decided to visit Abraham and thank him. 

Abraham welcomed him with a warm smile, offering coffee as they talked. Curious, he inquired about Nelson’s past. As Nelson shared his story, Abraham fell into deep thought before speaking. 

"Nelson, when a marriage begins, everything seems perfect. We earn, we spend, we enjoy. But over time, misunderstandings arise—whether about money, miscommunication, or differences in interests. Both partners need patience and effort to work through problems. Not all marriages last, but the reasons for breakups today are concerning. This generation is heading in a different direction, and everyone must take responsibility.

A person doesn’t realize the value of their partner until it’s too late. When we’re young and healthy, life feels easy, and privacy seems appealing. But marriage is a commitment—it must be honoured.

People often blame alcohol for relationship issues, but the real problems run deeper. When misunderstandings occur, men are often labelled as drunkards, shifting attention away from the actual issue. That’s exactly what happened in your case, Nelson. You had past relationships before marriage, but you struggled to accept that everyone has a past. The past remains the past for a reason—if it still mattered, you wouldn’t have entered Prinita’s life.

Drinking alters our thoughts. When sober, we focus on the present, but under alcohol’s influence, we dwell on the past. It changes our behaviour, creating a false reality. We live with dual personalities, unable to break free, which leads to addiction. Family problems should be addressed without alcohol, just as illnesses should be treated in their early stages. But where is the doctor for marriage problems?" 

Nelson listened carefully, realizing the weight of Abraham’s words. 

"Nowadays, separation is easy, but there’s no system to address misunderstandings early, such as proper counselling. Until time, priests played a significant role in guiding couples. Now, people believe they understand holy scriptures better than priests. Yet, priests dedicate their lives to the community. When parents speak against them, how will the younger generation carry forward the faith? There are exceptions, but we can’t generalize everything."

Abraham continued, "Marriage is like a rooftop—the foundation needs to be strong. In our parish, we are working to strengthen this foundation so that the values of marriage remain intact. 

Other than that, we’ve started a program called the 'Lone Women Pension Scheme,' which has gained recognition. Women above 55 who live alone receive a small monthly allowance. You see, Nelson, a woman is like nature itself—she plays a crucial role in sustaining life, and it’s our duty to take care of them. Many children move abroad, leaving their parents alone, so we ensure they send contributions.

We also have plans for the youth in our parish. They contribute monthly and will receive pensions when they reach retirement age. Alongside their higher studies, we teach them essential skills. Every Sunday, we hold training sessions—welding and mobile repair for young men and tailoring and beauty salon training for young women." 

Abraham laughed, pointing at his pants. "These were a gift from one of our trainees!" 

"Our goal is to help young people become multi skilled, self-sufficient so they can build stable families and lead fulfilling lives." 

Just then, Nelson's phone rang, snapping him back to reality. He picked it up and heard a voice from the garage.

"Sir, your vehicle is ready. You can pick it up tomorrow."

Nelson glanced at the calendar—it was already Saturday. 

The next morning, Nelson went into the garage and found that the Jeep was ready after a trial run. After fixing a few minor glitches, it was good to go. Nelson then parked his car in front of the salon—it was time for some grooming. It took a while, but in the end, he regained his polished and vibrant look. 

Returning home, he stepped out of the Jeep and took a moment to scan every corner of the house. Satisfied that everything was in place, he reassured himself—he was ready to receive a special guest. He waited until evening for an update, and finally, late at night, Prinita informed him that she would arrive on Monday around 10:30 AM, accompanied by her uncle, Peter. 

Nelson was overwhelmed by the news. Without hesitation, he called Abraham to inform him of Prinita’s confirmed visit.

"God bless, young man," Abraham greeted in his usual style before hanging up the phone. 

After the call, Abraham twirled his Mustache and smiled lightly. He knew he had played his part in reconnecting Nelson and Prinita. His simple yet effective trick—word-of-mouth appreciation—had worked. Abraham had gone through his Facebook friend list, checked for mutual connections, and discovered that Peter had links to Kalasa. Using this connection, he subtly highlighted how much Nelson had changed. Through a few well-placed conversations, he ensured that Prinita would see a different side of Nelson—one that had grown and evolved. Now, with this progress, he was hopeful things would move forward. 

Finally, Monday arrived. Peter’s SUV pulled up and parked in front of Nelson’s house. Nelson stepped forward, opened the gate, and greeted Peter with a firm handshake. Prinita smiled, while Natasha, with a slightly withdrawn expression, seemed reluctant to engage. The atmosphere was subdued, lacking excitement. 

Peter pulled a chair onto the portico and had Prinita and Natasha sit as well. As a gesture of hospitality, Nelson offered them water and asked if they would like tea or coffee, but Peter waved him off.

"Sit, sit… that’s not necessary. Let’s talk," he said, his straightforward approach making Nelson slightly uneasy.

Sensing the tension, Nelson discreetly messaged Abraham for backup. Within moments, Abraham arrived, and the mood shifted. Peter, familiar with Abraham’s reputation, was pleased to see him. 

"Hello, hello, guests! Nice to see you! I was passing by and thought I'd stop in. Hi, Mr. Peter, how are you doing? And this must be Prinita, a gorgeous lady! And oh my, sweet little princess Natasha!"

Abraham’s easy-going chatter helped ease the stiffness in both Prinita and Natasha. As Peter and Abraham struck up a conversation, Nelson got up, saying he would make coffee. 

Prinita smirked and playfully teased, "Don’t get up just for milk. We’ve brought some!" She winked—a clear reference to an old argument between them.

As Nelson prepared coffee, Prinita wandered into the house, looking around mischievously.

"I can’t believe you live here alone," she teased. "I have my doubts… maybe someone’s hiding in here!"

She playfully called out, "Hello? Hello?" pretending to search for someone.

Meanwhile, Natasha approached Nelson. He lifted her into his arms, and she playfully pulled his nose. Then, tilting her head towards Prinita, she stretched her arms, signalling for her to take her. 

After coffee, Peter insisted on having a deeper discussion. Abraham suggested, "A discussion in front of the priest would be better."

So, they walked to the church, where they met the priest and continued their conversation. It seemed that all the efforts made to help Nelson had finally borne fruit. They ended with a prayer and received blessings from the priest.

Before leaving, they visited the graveyard and placed flowers on Stella’s grave. As they headed back, a light rain began to fall. They managed to find two umbrellas—Nelson carried Natasha while Prinita held an umbrella over them. 

As they walked, Prinita mischievously pinched and playfully troubled Nelson, reminding him of their first meeting.

Observing this, Abraham mused to himself: 

"There’s a shortage of peacemakers in this world… but no shortage of peace. If one truly seeks change, it will happen. If we desire a good direction, we must cultivate good habits—this is especially true in marriage."