Bheela’s Blog -064
05 February 2022
Episode 63 Recap
Kayo reaches Sakata, and her family forgives her.
Oshin leaves the salon home and moves to a rented place. The café girls help Oshin with household items.
Oshin gets a letter from Kayo.
Please click the link to read the full Episode:
https://bheela-wadehra.medium.com/bheelas-blog-063-d4840f0e2f9b
Episode 64
FLASHBACK CONTINUES
Oshin finally finds a room, and now she is on her own. She lives upstairs from the elderly landlord couple. The old man loves to take care of the plants in a small garden in the backyard. The waitresses at the café help Oshin find new clients.
As Oshin goes to work, she greets the old couple cheerfully. They start liking her in a short time. For the first time, Oshin has time for herself. She also begins sewing for the waitresses.
One day, as Oshin is sewing some clothes, her house owner calls her from the ground floor. Two men carrying a piece of heavy furniture arrive at the door.
‘Are you Oshin?’ one of them asks Oshin as she comes down.
‘Yes,’ says Oshin, surprised.
‘Here is your mirror stand. Where do you want us to place it?’ the man inquires.
‘A mirror-stand?’ Oshin is puzzled, ‘I didn’t order a mirror stand,’ she says.
‘You are Oshin, aren’t you?’ the man insists, ‘and this is the address!’
‘Mr. Tanokura ordered it to be delivered,’ says the other man.
‘Mr Tanokura, the business man?’ Oshin asks, and when the men confirm, she realizes that this is from Ryuzo.
‘Let us take it inside,’ says the man.
‘Wait a minute!’ Oshin is alarmed, and she stops them, saying, ‘Please take it back. It is too expensive!’
‘But,’ the men are puzzled now, they try to protest.
‘I can’t accept it, take it back,’ Oshin is firm now. She folds her hands and requests them to take it back.
***
‘What kind of man is Mr. Tanokura? He had a mirror stand delivered to me,’ Oshin tells Someko as she visits her for the regular hairdo.
‘He did? That is so nice,’ Someko is thrilled, ‘Maybe because of the letters you wrote for me, he has been coming around lately. He asks about you each time he comes. I guess he still feels bad for the incident in Ginza. I told him that Oshin needed a mirror stand, and he remembered. What kind of mirror stand was it?’ Someko is curious and happy.
‘I didn’t get a good look. I asked the men to take it back.’ Oshin replies, still puzzled and confused.
‘You returned it?’ Someko can’t believe it.
‘I have no reason to accept gifts from him,’ Oshin replies, now she is somewhat irritated.
‘Don’t be silly! You need it,’ Someko is surprised at Oshin’s decision.
‘There is no reason for me to accept it,’ Oshin repeats her resolve.
‘Sure, there is a reason. You got hurt on account of Ryuzo. It was all his fault, so he sent it as an apology,’ Someko takes Ryuzo’s side and tries to reason with Oshin.
‘It wasn’t his fault,’ Oshin remains firm. She puts on the white apron to get ready for the hairdo.
‘Those of us who don’t have money have to learn to get things from those who do! How can a woman make it alone? What a waste!’
Someko tries to teach Oshin some practical ways of living alone! She says, ‘Those things are expensive! I am trying to get him to buy me a fur stole.’ Someko finds it hard to explain this to Oshin.
***
Oshin walks home, tired, after doing house calls for hairdressing. She slides open the main gate and says, ‘I am home’; she looks for the house owner.
‘Welcome home,’ says the woman as she comes out, ‘A guest is waiting for you. He insisted, so I let him wait upstairs. He brought us a gift, too. Such a nice man! Be sure you thank him for us.’
Oshin looks up towards the staircase. She bows to the house owner and climbs the stairs to reach her room.
‘I am sorry to call on you unexpectedly,’ Ryuzo chirps; he waits for Oshin, sitting on the windowsill. Oshin shrinks with awkwardness. He continues, ‘I am sorry about sending that mirror stand. I was so surprised when you didn’t accept it. I should have explained. That is why I waited.’ He points to the mirror stand, which is now placed against a wall.
‘I can’t accept an expensive gift like this.’ Oshin sits down, tired, places her tools on the round table, and tells him clearly.
‘I got you into trouble by inviting you over to do hair for the girls at the Ginza café. I have been meaning to make it up to you. I heard you needed a mirror stand. It is to apologize for what I put you through,’ says Ryuzo; there is sincerity and genuineness in his voice and gesture.
Oshin softens, but she is still unsure, so she asks, ‘Just because of that?’
‘It is also a gift to celebrate your independence; you are out on your own!’ says Ryuzo.
‘I have no reason to accept gifts from you,’ Oshin is still not convinced.
‘Why?’ Ryuzo is puzzled by the tough stand. He tries to clarify further, ‘after the dinner we had together before Kayo left for home, she asked me to take good care of you. And I would like to do so. I admire a woman who is trying to make it on her own. I want to do all I can to help! Call me anytime; I will be going now.’ He bows slightly in greeting and gets up. He stops halfway through, remembering something. He continues, ‘you write very well. I got letters from three women, all written in the same hand. I was wondering who wrote them!’
Oshin looks at him with the corner of her eyes; she gets stiff, realizing that the man now knows about the letters. She lowers her eyes. Ryuzo doesn’t stop; he says, ‘I am sure you think I am no good for being an object of affection from three different women. Those girls aren’t after me. They just want my money! I thought I would better tell you.’
He has a hearty laugh and leaves the room, leaving Oshin speechless and stunned. Oshin hears the sound of his footsteps fading; she looks at the unpacked mirror stand.
***
‘Miss Kayo, it has been a month since you left for home. How are you? Please write. I go to your room to clean up from time to time.’
Kayo reads the letter Oshin has written, delighted as she reads on, ‘But there is no sign of Kota having returned. Mr. Tanokura bought me a mirror stand, but I feel uncomfortable accepting such a gift. I can’t figure him out. Is he smart or stupid? He sure is difficult to grasp. I haven’t unpacked the mirror stand yet. If Kota should write or come back, I will send a word. Please be good to your family.’
Kayo smiles hearing of Ryuzo’s gift but gets anxious, reading about Kota, still missing. Her thoughts are interrupted by her mother’s voice.
‘Kayo, I need to talk to you,’ says Mino cheerfully as she enters the room, ‘What is the news from Oshin?’ she asks, looking at the letter. Kayo puts the letter back into the envelope quickly.
‘She has now become independent on her own and is working very hard. She is steady and hardworking. I am sure she will make it.’ Kayo replies; she has confidence in Oshin’s abilities.
‘Kayo, are you sure you don’t have a lover in Tokyo?’ Mino has the same doubt as Ms. Kuni. She continues, full of doubts, ‘If so, why isn’t he writing? You have been here a month already. Isn’t he concerned for you?’
Kayo doesn’t want to answer; she abruptly gets up and walks out of the door. Mino catches her by the arm. Mino tells her clearly, ‘Give up on this man, please!’
Kayo walks off; she opens the living room door and finds her grandma sitting there with her Dad. Mino brings Kayo, and they both sit in front of Ms. Kuni. Kayo sits with her head down.
‘Kayo, we have found a husband for you,’ Ms. Kuni comes straight to the point without frills, ‘tomorrow is the marriage meeting. We think he is perfect for you and Kaga-ya as an adoptive husband. Understood?’
Dad is also very excited about this proposal. He elaborates further, ‘He is the third son of an Osaka rice dealer. He is also a graduate of the Imperial University in Tokyo. Good family and good education. We are honored. He saw your picture and fell in love! Now that the Great War is over, Japan is among the world’s powers! Our economy will keep growing! We also have to upgrade our business, and we need a college graduate to run the Kaga-ya. You are the heiress, and we need a qualified man to be your adoptive husband.
(Values prevailing in Japan are so similar to those in India. A university graduate should prove a great husband who can take care of the business. The Imperial University referred here is called the University of Tokyo currently. More about the university can be found by clicking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Tokyo.
The concept of adoptive husband though isn’t considered respectable in Indian society)
Kuni now tries her best to explain to Kayo practically. She says, ‘I asked you to stay at least for a month. Why do you think I asked you to do that? I figured that if you had a man in Tokyo, he would surely come to see you within that time. I decided that if this man loves you enough to visit us here, I will let you marry him. But there is no word from him at all. You are not even trying to get us to meet him. Nothing has come of it at all! Forget this man,’ Kuni declares in no uncertain terms.
Kayo lowers her head and doesn’t say a word.
***
Early next morning, Kayo starts packing her clothes. She closes the suitcase and quietly comes out of her room. She has decided to return to Tokyo without letting anyone know. As soon as she comes to the living room, Ms. Kuni blocks her way.
‘I figured as much!’ Ms. Kuni confronts Kayo.
‘Grandma, I deserve freedom,’ Kayo musters all her courage to speak up. She says, ‘It is old-fashioned to expect me to sacrifice myself for the family business! I want no part of it!’
‘Why don’t you wake up?’ grandma is losing her patients, she says with irritation, ‘This man doesn’t even care if you are gone for a month! He will never make you happy. You will have nothing but heartache with him!’ grandma speaks with her decades-long experience.
‘I know that, but I don’t mind,’ Kayo tells her grandma the truth, now that it has come out! She says, full of emotions, ‘I am willing to spend my whole life waiting for him. I won’t regret it. It is my life! I want to live it the way I want.’ Kayo remains defiant. She continues, ‘I don’t care who takes over Kaga-ya! I don’t care about all the money we have. I refuse to be tied down by it. Forget about me; just let me go.’
Kayo pushes grandma aside and tries to go out. Ms. Kuni holds her and pleads, ‘Kayo, no, don’t go! You are the heiress to the Kaga-ya business. I kept it going all these years just for you! You are my everything!’ she almost cries.
‘I never asked to take over Kaga-ya. I have things in life more important to me. Forgive me!’ Kayo frees her hand by pushing grandma and goes out. Grandma cannot resist as she feels weak and drops to the ground with pain, felt in body and mind.
Hearing the sound of grandma’s fall, Kayo instantly takes a turn and comes close to Ms. Kuni. Kayo drops her suitcase and rubs grandma’s back and hands.
‘Someone! Please help!’ shouts Kayo, ‘we need help!’ she panics.
‘Are you okay?’ she asks her grandma; by this time, Ms. Kuni is on the ground. Kayo shouts again, ‘Please come and help me!’
***
Ms. Kuni is lying on a mattress, covered by a thick blanket; her eyes are closed.
‘You still insist on going back to Tokyo?’ Mino asks Kayo in a hushed tone.
Mino, her husband, and Kayo are all sitting next to grandma. Dad is blowing air using a hand-fan.
All of them are worried about Ms. Kuni. Mino charges Kayo, saying, ‘Who do you think made your poor grandmother ill? The doctor says it is caused by years of worry and stress. She worried so much about you each day,’ Mino looks at Kayo and speaks with concern.
Mino continues, ‘then Sayo died, too. She will never get well if you don’t stop causing her pain. She is so concerned about the future of our business too.’
Kayo looks at her grandma and is thoughtful.
***
Oshin receives a letter from Kayo; she reads on.
‘That is why I can’t come back to Tokyo. I had my marriage meeting yesterday. But I haven’t decided yet if I will take a husband and take over the family business. My feelings for Kota haven’t changed. But I feel very foolish for caring for a man who doesn’t care for me. I also feel guilty for causing pain to my family.’
***
Oshin understands what Kayo is going through. She still comes to Kayo’s room to clean, but she doesn’t want Kayo to come back. Oshin wants Kayo to stay in Sakata and fulfill her duty of taking over the Kaga-ya business.
What will happen next? Will Oshin meet Kota?
We will know in the next Episode, no 65, coming soon.