-Brian Mendonça
When Roland (Rolly) and Heather SMSed us if we
would like to step across and do lunch with them on Sunday at Sernabatim beach
we did not know quite what to do.
The message popped in late on Saturday evening
when we were dining at Tao in Campal,
Panjim. Our piano classes at Performers Hub, Caranzalem were over and Dwayne
was deep into his finger chips.
Besides, he had a birthday party the next day and
he was so looking forward to it. I hated to break his heart so we went with the
flow and informed Rolly and Heather about our prior commitment. Heather replied
in her breezy way that it was fine -but if we could make it, nothing like it.
Sunday came around and the 9.15 a.m. Mass was
over. As we reached home I felt like calling Rolly to say we would call when
the birthday party was over. Rolly said they were anyway staying at the beach
so we could roll in when we were done.
The point is that Dwayne was so enjoying himself
at the party that it was 4 by the time he appreciated the wisdom of coming
home. I called Rolly and told him we were ready to leave. It would take us
about an hour. I also mentioned that Queenie had made pulao for us and that we
had had lunch.
The 37 km. drive from Porvorim was very relaxing.
We seldom get opportunities to go on a long drive together. When we reached around 5.30 p.m. the rest of
the family were just leaving. Nevertheless we had come in our own time and
that’s what mattered.
It was going to be dusk soon. The sky and the
pristine beach beckoned. There was not a minute to waste. Dwayne and me headed
to the sea in our swim gear. Queenie, Heather and Rolly watched us. When we
came back we took a walk on the beach.
Later we sat at Xaviers for snacks and chatted about old times. I asked Rolly how
he met Heather. He said he met her in New Zealand on his travels. She persuaded
him to come to Vancouver and that’s where they are now.
It was nice to hang out as cousins. Rolly is my
mother’s brother’s son. Their family and my mum’s family spent time in Uganda
until Idi Amin asked them to leave in 1972. Rolly’s family went to the United
Kingdom and mum’s family opted for India.
Savouring my French onion soup I noticed that the
sea was pitch dark. We needed to return. But not before I played some dulpods on my guitar which was in the boot. We
exchanged books.
As we left we asked about the family. Their son,
they told us, is off to China to learn the language. Their daughter is an
acrobat with international acts in aerial hoops, straps and silks. Watching her
videos I reckon she sure needs the luck while performing - which is why her
website is luckydesouza.com
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Published with the title 'luckydesouza.com' in Gomantak Times Weekender, Panjim, Goa on Sunday, 24th March 2019. Pix taken at Sernabatim beach, South Goa on Sunday 10th March 2019.
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