Srini started to work in real earnest. It was a full, busy day, each day. He was happy but tired at the end of the day, but slept well. Rohan and Anita had quietly come one day and had watched him from a distance before heading back. They decided to come one day with Molly and the twins. So they all came one day, in the afternoon. They brought snacks and drinks for Srini and Ben. They were working near some office buildings and were not too busy. It was an unexpected visit for Srini.
The twins rushed over to Srini and were all over him. They found the shoeshine kit very interesting. Ben smiled and socialized very well. The twins took to him and were fascinated by his beard. They each got a handful and used it to hold themselves on either side of his face. He was quite genial and grandfatherly. He pulled out some lollies for them. They ran around the lawns and played. It was a quick visit to see Srini at his work place, show love and support and they all headed back. Srini noticed some peeping through their office windows and watching the visit of his family.
Tarun too, had once come by and had a look. He was still mulling how to break this news to his family. He was confident in his love for Anita and sure that he would be fine. He knew however that word travelled and some in his family would find it hard to accept and might do something to offend or quietly limit their interactions. He knew some in Srini’s family would do the same. He was impressed with how Anita, Rohan and Molly handled this.
Srini and Ben did the rounds of all the spots they had staked out for themselves. There were a few under cover of awnings on the footpath, some were exposed. Ben had engineered a post to clip an umbrella over the shoeshine kits and they had one along with their kit.
Srini was learning a lot about the psychology of people, grooming, looking good and how important it was. Shining shoes was just a part of it. They made good money with their fees and tips. They usually went back to the house, sat with a drink and totalled all their earnings and Ben divided it as per agreement. Srini realised that his presence was probably affecting the personal take of Ben to some extent and Ben could have made more if Srini were not around, next to him. But Ben never complained and Srini realised that the 20% he paid him would offset his loss somewhat. In the long run, Srini realised both would benefit from having their stalls a bit more separate from each other. There were certain mornings when it made sense to work next to each other near the courts and lawyer’s offices.
Srini quickly mastered his own routine. He too developed a following. Many Asian customers seemed to prefer him. Some got to talking with him. They were surprised that he could speak some of their languages.
The first month of living with Ben passed. An accommodation nearby became available. It was just a short walk away from Ben’s place. Srini took it even though it was an old room that required some work and attention to spruce up. It was on the ground floor – a rare chance.
“Always take the ground floor if you have a choice. It best for old age,” said Ben. Srini concurred.
The move was just half a day’s work. Srini and Ben worked on fixing up a few things and Srini ordered dinner in from a nearby restaurant. Rohan was busy but Anita and Tarun showed up too. They brought house-warming gifts from themselves and Rohan’s family. Dr. Fa came as well. He was very silent and seemed quietly a bit amused at Srini, while at the same time had an expression of serious thought. He was gracious and a perfect gentleman nevertheless.
Srini occasionally ran into one of his acquaintances, most who recognised him and some who did not. Unbeknownst to him, many had heard about his ‘new profession’ and thought that he had gone off around the bend. Some came to see him from afar without coming up to him. They often slipped away without being seen or recognised. Some came up to him and tried hard to hide their surprise. Some even came to get their shoes shined. They were often torn about whether to leave him a large tip or not. Their expressions, their quick hurrying walk away from him often gave their feelings away. Srini was absolutely riveted by this psychological drama. Ben had a stoic air and Srini realized that it was something he must have taken time and effort to achieve.
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