End of Semester – A Short Story by Saurabh Kumar Chaliha

At six, it started snowing, by six thirty my ‘mantel’ grew white. I headed for Ludwig Strauss looking   for Anna & Janos. Ludwig Strauss was empty; gas lights were covered with snow, the road, tree branches and red coloured roofs of buildings also became white. The garbage bin in the front of Professor Lure’s house & the parked car were also covered by snow.  The wind pounded intermittently; the snowflakes circled around thin gaslights.  I felt a cold flowing through the bottom of shoes; my soles almost froze. From the darkened alley, I heard the sound of number one bus dying out at distance; Pondering that I could have come by the bus itself, I pressed the bell.

Herr Lungbain, in dressing gown came and opened the door.

“Good evening.”

“‘Good evening.’ ‘Sorry to bother you, I have come to Devers.”

“Not at all, room seventeen.”

“Yes I know, thank you.”

“Oh yes of course; you keep coming.”

Not only that, the two rooms of the house, I arranged for them; Anna Devers and Janos Devers, both Hungarian refugees. A year ago when they arrived in Germany from Hungary, they had only two suitcases. Later they received aid from Hungarian funds; Anna also started working in between her studies; gradually their economic condition improved. Janos is a student of physics; Anna studies linguistics. Some times when Anna questions me of English grammar ( I teach English in a local school) I cross my fingers. Janos  idly smokes some toxic brand of cigarette  & makes speeches ( to me, Anna & everyone in the town) about  John von Neumann the Hungarian mathematician who now lives in Princeton; barricades by  students in Budapest Street, foreign tanks;- how the  strength of magnetic field changes  with  loss of heat. It is apparent that physics occupies an integral part of his life; already there is a rumour in the  Second Institute of Physics that, Prof Vaitsoker has been thinking of taking ‘Den Unger’ as an assistant. They could not get married until three months ago, for want of a home. However, fortunately ‘Herr Lungbain’, the organizer of the student hostel was known to me.(Herr Lungbain- a law student & the  secretary of the ‘Chess club.’)

He had said “accommodation?” not possible.” What did you say ‘?  Hungarian  Refugee? Oh that’s another thing.  Bring them one day. We Germans have moral obligation towards Hungarian Refugees. I will see what can be done.’

I never told Janos about his patronizing attitude.

Herr Lungbain said that he did not go out today, ‘it looks like influenza’, ‘temp about 38^0’. He said “Herr Devers probably not at home- saw him going out, Frau Devers had a headache, perhaps she is in room.” Of course I knew that Janos was not likely to stay at home, today evening being Manfred’s birthday party at the basement of ‘Booth House Restaurant’. I did not go.

I proceeded through the dark hall. Most of the doors were closed. No light came out. I remembered that today was Saturday; dances are held at the ‘Mensa‘(student canteen) on Saturdays.  I passed Dr Heidu’s. Dr Heidu is also a Hungarian Refugee, skinny, bespectacled, intellectual type beard, very short tempered. Dr Heidu’s annoyance is with the entire German Nation. His sister Anita lives with him. Fraulein Anita is quite bulky, one cannot imagine that she plays violin (Not Hungarian Gypsy music, but Mozart & Brahms.). His wife is residing in a different town; could not get away together. She was to come with another group of refugees, but they got caught in the border, and had to go back to Budapest. Somehow Dr Heidu managed to get a job in Hungarian Seminar, gave Anita admission for studies. In his leisure time he brings out a cyclostyled

non resident paper occasionally with the help of some of the fellow Hungarian friends and keeps pondering how will he free Hungary and get his  wife out.

“Dr Heidu & Anita; where they may have gone in this weather? Maybe they did not go anywhere, probably creating ruckus in Janos’ room or cooking ‘Goulash’. The room is filled with smell of mysterious condiments’. Out of place- in this unruly milieu; it is not improbable-that someone of romantic nature, reading loudly the German translation of a poem of Alexander Petofi.

‘Never,  never would she know

How did she,

Oh, how did she break my heart ‘

And someone dissenting-‘break’? ‘zerissen’ ? No ‘Zerissen’ means torn, to be in pieces. I knew Janos was not at home, yet a picture floated on my mind, “Anna’s record player is playing music ; lukewarm note of Bennie Goodman’s clarinet , Janos tapping  his foot on floor in tune . Anna  is  writing expenses of boost & milk .Someone mentions Faun Newman.  In a flash Janos gets disturbed & switches off the record player. Unconcerned, with sleeping pajama & vest ( German students will faint at the sight) in the middle of boys & girls, Dr Heidi is seated, peeling  peas or potatoes , every now and then placing his hand on Anita’s hair affectionately, like one does to a cat & saying  ‘One main reason of Germans remaining……..  “

I crossed Fraulein Von Ditch’s room (a student of German literature).‘Her bicycle was leaning on the outside wall; probably she had planned to go somewhere before the snowfall. (Fraulein Von Ditch would be able to tell whether ‘zerrissen’ could be used’. Petofi, young Hungarian poet; died at the age of 23 fighting for freedom of Hungary- she might like Petofi’s poems?’)

After the unfamiliar names of several German students on the doors, name of an Indian research scholar of mathematics. Next is Leo Kun, who studies politics, also a Hungarian refugee, was not in. For some time now he has been dating a German girl, a fellow student- a new development. They must not have gone to the crowded ‘Mensa’, may be sitting in a quiet ‘clype’ on the outskirts of the town or in the warmth of a cinema hall.

There was light in Dante Goulash’s room (a poor German student) & the ‘tak’ ‘tak’ sound of typewriter was coming from the room; semester end was near, time for submission of his ‘dichartation ’ is forthcoming , maybe typing the same, (very heavy title‘ Post War Baltic  nations & German Democracy’). Remembering Dr Heidu I smiled. He would have creased his nose, jerk his hands, and say with great satisfaction ‘Believe me not, ten years after the war the Germans have learnt only one word, like a child with a new toy; they jump with excitement- demokratie’- peoples rule’   I passed Istvan’s room –another Hungarian, but there was light in his room, but what relation it has got with the weather? Felt like knocking at his door; then I remembered the he had not paid me for English ‘tuitions’. If I knock at his door, who knows what he might think?  I walked ahead and put my hand in pocket. The ring was there, a coffee machine ring. Anna’s Italian espresso coffee machine had a broken steel ring .It was not available in the small University Town. Our drinking espresso coffee had stopped for some time. They had given me the broken ring when I was going to Hamburg, I have brought a new ring, a good excuse to visit 17 Ludwig Strauss through wind and snow.

I knocked at room no 17.  Anna called from inside ‘come in.’ I pushed the door. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and lying  on the couch  with a book of short stories of Enrich Von Kleist, her face was moist, a few tablets and a glass of water on the small table next to her. The table lamp made out of a bottle of ‘chianti’ was on, in the typewriter a half typed page of ‘dischartation ‘of Janos. Handwriting of Janos is micro miniature & ugly; even my eyes start paining while reading a paragraph.  Perhaps Anna had been typing till late night, no wonder that she has head ache today.

Anna got up. Her face resembled her mother’s in the photograph although a scarf was wrapped on her mother’s head, but at this moment her face looked very pale. She used to show the photograph to each & everyone & say ‘I myself am hardly good looking, so let me feel proud by showing mother’s photograph’. I truly believe that the mother also shows daughter’s photograph and makes similar statement She had pinned few wooden clips on her hair, in all probability had tied her hair; looked like an actress getting ready in green room.

‘Oh you have come’, Anna’s face lit up, then immediately went pale.“Your mantel is fully white, your head also.” I smiled keeping my lips tight.

‘When did you return from Hamburg? Please take out the mantel.’

‘At noon today’ I said and removed the mantel; shook it twice outside the door. Anna hung the mantel on a nail in the hall. I moved my fingers on my hair & shook the ice particles; these started melting on the carpet less floor.

‘This way.’

I rubbed my shoes on the doormat several times & entered, smiled once again; sat on the couch near the oil stove, removed the gloves & started warming my hands. By now I became aware that my hands were frozen. The oil stove was old, only partially serviceable, there was more smoke than warmth, but perhaps as it has been is running in for some time, the closed room was quite cozy. There is no divider in the middle of the room, but everyone knows that the room has two parts, Right part is Anna’s, left part belongs to Janos. An abstract painting of Kandinsky is hanging on wall on Janos side (Anna does not understand Kandinsky), on Anna’s side of wall ‘Halekin family’ of Picasso is hanging.(Janos does not understand Picasso.)  A bunch of Tulip in Anna’s flower vase, Janos’ flower vase had long been converted into an ashtray.

“You are having headache?”

“Now I am better. I took few pills. How come you came in such a bad weather?”

“I had nothing else to do” I said, lit a cigarette and smiled.

Anna smiled too. She must have understood that I had finished all the movies in all the four theatres of this small university town, and even though inside the closed doors of ‘clypes’, red coal fire were glowing  in chimneys, but those were full with familiar faces; everybody inside stayed to escape from hazard of the road.

“You could have come by bus?”

I smiled, Anna smiled too. ”Too many people.”

“Anyway, good that you came, we can chat merrily.”

Meaning Anna would talk & I would listen.

‘I have nothing to offer you today. Herr Schacht brought a bottle of ‘mosel wine ‘ yesterday, very sweet. But Janos & Dr Heidi both together….‘

Anna pointed towards the empty bottle of   ‘mosel wine’ on the window.

‘Have tea’?

‘OK but..’

Tell me what you did in Hamburg’

I smiled and told her that I had roamed around quite a bit. ‘A big busy city ’  I continued  ‘very much unlike our small university town. ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ was running in Ganze markt Theatre, boat ride on ‘Elbe,’ ‘Riper Bann’………….I smiled again…. Meaning I would not tell more.

Anna smiled too.

Why didn’t you go to Manfred’ party?

‘Forgot’; in fact I did not forget. Just returned from Hamburg, did not feel like being there in the noisy atmosphere. Let us suppose………’

‘Take it as I forgot’ Anna said & smiled. Anna showed me the book of Heinrich von Kleist, told me about the influence of Kleist on German short story writing , read a page & looked at me.

‘I got your item’ and brought out the coffee ring.’

Anna was waiting to hear that, her face lit up and again became pale. ‘Oh, was is necessary to come in a such blizzard……………’

I laughed stopping her. ‘I could not wait till tomorrow. Today is espresso coffee weather. You know about the crowded ‘clypes’. Hence I have come to drink best espresso coffee in the town braving rain and snow. Ludwig Strauss twenty seven, room no seventeen.’

‘Thank you’ Anna said ‘Let us see whether the ring fits or not.’  I pushed the middle door and went inside and tried to fit the ring, failed & laughed. Anna smiled sympathetically and said ‘leave it. It has some other technique, Janos only can fit it. I could never do it. Dr Heidi also does not know the trick.”

“And so there is no hope for ‘espresso’?’ I asked sadly.

“And so there is no hope of espresso’ Anna said copying me in a sad tone ‘until Janos comes. Tea?”

‘Tea’ I said disappointedly.

On the gas ring, the water in kettle started boiling. I returned to the couch.

‘Are you feeling warm now?’

‘Yes it is quite warm’ ‘you should warm yourself’. I pushed the stove towards Anna, something fell off, more smoke started coming out.

Anna smiled and said ‘Would you like to hear a record?  There is one new record of Mozart –‘

I gazed at the record player and then at the records. Mostly Mozart, Beethoven and Wetzel, a few Hungarian folk music and another stack kept separately-those belong to Janos. ‘Bennie Goodman’ clarinet and Dixieland jazz records. (Positively belonging to Janos, when those are played, Anna finds work in kitchen). I smiled, Anna understood.

“Let’s drop it ‘Anna said’ ‘Today weather is somewhat suffocating, lazy, One does not feel like doing any work; listening to any music.’

Anna removed the curtain looked outside ‘Oh it is snowing very heavily. On the window panes snow is accumulating. What weather! ‘Sitchlich’

‘Schrecklich’  I corrected .

Anna laughed and said ‘‘Schrecklich!’’ How are you going back tonight? Last bus is at nine thirty, isn’t it?’

‘Let Janos come, I said indifferently ‘Some arrangement will be there. I am enjoying here.’ I stressed my legs and sat comfortably.

Anna laughed and then suddenly became serious & said “Have you noticed something? Even on a weekend the house is without any noise, so quiet, as if deserted”

“Oh perhaps everybody has gone to Manjra.”

“No many students are in. Most Hungarians have gone out, but the German boys and girls are at home- Semester is about to end, exams too are starting in a day or two. Only in Germany I have seen a house full of students as dead as this. Had this boarding been in Hungary, It would have been full of life……How would it be in your country?’

‘Oh, in our country they are also very noisy’. I said. I wanted to tell that ‘Manfred was a German & Istvan, Light is glowing in his room, a Hungarian but didn’t say so. Outside the phone started ringing.

‘It may be Janos.’

‘I will look’

“Careful .There is no light in the hall’.

I went out to the dark hall. You could hear the sound the wind made. Without carpet, the hall was extremely cold and quiet. Only the sound of typewriter was coming from Gunter Gorlach’s room. I could not see the telephone. I knew where the telephone was placed, lifted the handset.

An indistinguishable din prevailed, laughter and clatter of glasses, a jazz band playing ‘Patricia’. Janos is ringing from ‘Rat House Cellar’ He speaks flawless German- “Du’ oh you are back from Hamburg. Why didn’t you come for the party? “

“Party; Long story, will tell you later. “ I said

“Dummkopf.’ What long story?”

“How is the party going?”

“Prima. Herr Schichkeck is in high mood, Never thought that a German can talk so open heartedly”

“Convey my best wishes to Manfred.”

“Sure. How is Anna’s headache?”

“Now better, shall I call her?”

“No, no I have no time. When you are with her, I need no give advice. Tell her the party will end in half an hour. Don’t go; we are arranging   a car, will drop you at home.”

“Will you get a car’? Whose?”

“Somebody’s .Who bothers? Don’t go outside. I will leave now. Auf Wiedersehen.”

“Wiedersehen’.

I returned to the warmness of the room. Anna was preparing tea. I lit a cigarette and said‘ Yes it was Janos, even amongst the  party crowd he is worried that someone is having head ache; body in Rut house cellar, but mind in Ludwig Truss.’ Anna smiled and said “Is it not that you are in Germany, but your mind is somewhere in your own land.”

I smiled. Anna looked at me for a few moments, I didn’t say anything but smiled. Anna gave up.

“Milk or lemon.”

“Anything, but you must take milk.”

Anna squeezed the lime on my tea. She found some pieces of Hungarian ‘bhoost’ and told that might be those were little dry, but she arranged those so nicely that I felt I had lost nothing by missing the Rouchkeller party, suddenly I felt so hungry that Hungarian ‘Bhoost’ and citron tea looked very inviting (of course some rum in tea would have been better, but generally rum was not available in the home.

Once again Anna removed the window curtain and looked outside and spoke “What weather? Snow, snow and only snow, the mind gets ruffled. …..Shall breathe sigh of relief when the semester ends.”

“Have you decided to go out of town during the vacation?”

“Italy. Florence.”

Of course .I remembered Anna’s sister is married to Florence; while fleeing from Hungary Annas had come via Florence.

“Have you been to Italy?”

“No, very much want to.”

“Why don’t you come with us? You will like Italy. Beautiful sun drenched country. People are different too, so much eating, so friendly, so fun loving. Laugh heartily at every step; have fun singing, unlike the Germans with grave looks. Of course we will not be able to take a train-could not save much this semester” Anna laughed. I understood, she was talking about new household expenses. “If we go we will have to do ‘Unhuntering’” (Meaning, to go by hitchhiking)

“I roamed around with sister and brother in law so much, feel good remembering, wish to go again.  Janos also requires some break. He has been working very hard this semester. Will you come with us?”

“Let’s see” I said and smiled and tried to change the subject “Where will Dr Heidi go?”

“Dr Heidi wants to go to Tirole, but Anita does not want to go there. Ultimately he will go where his sister wishes.”

“Maybe he will like to go to Hungary” I said and thought about Dr Heidi’s wife. I didn’t ask where Leo Kohn would go; he was very busy with his girlfriend, it was not possible to keep a track of his movements.

“Oh” Anna said and tried to smile and then turned grave and asked “don’t you feel sad when you see the German boys pack their bags and board train to go home”.

I smiled. Anna looked at me for a few moments and gave up. She smiled and looked at my plate and said ‘Ach du libe Gott.

I corrected ‘Lieve Gott’

‘ Ach du lieve Gott‘ I forgot. White bread is there as well.

Anna moved to the kitchen and paused on the door, looked at the straw hat on the wall.

“I bought in Fiesole. How is it?”

“Beautiful” I said.

“Did I tell you about Fiesole?  Very close to Florence. You will like very much.”

Anna took out a postcard from one of Janos’s books, a photo post card. “This is Fiesole market”. Wait. Anna went to the kitchen. Some cloth covered stalls under shade of trees; inside the stalls benches are put. Spread on top of them, numerous types of beads, ornaments & attractive items. I did not look closely. On a table underneath a tree several Italians were drinking from tall glasses, probably beer or vermouth, sunlight falling on their faces, liquid in the glasses and the big ashtray. Like many other photo post cards, a picture to remember.

I felt suffocated of heat in the room; slowly the oil smoke was accumulating. As soon as I opened the window, cold wind entered, and a blast of snow; I closed it immediately.  Some ice particles melted and fell from the Cornish of the window, the photo on my hand was also covered by ice. It looked like a photograph of a Russian village; the hair of the men in the picture & beer in the glasses covered by ice.

Anna brought the bread and fresh hot tea. She immediately noticed the water on the Cornish of the window. I said “The room was closed for long, I did open the window once.”

“O!” Anna said and looked on my face and smiled, took the photograph from my hand and scrapped the ice from it with her long fingers. The sun began shining again on the Italian faces and their glasses. Anna poured tea again in my glass.

“Again, lemon.”

“Lemon again.” I said and smiled.

“Outskirt of Florence is very beautiful” Anna continued; finished pouring tea and squeezed the lemon juice. “Full of Cypress and Olive trees, bursting with sunlight. Fiesole is very close to Florence, there is a beautiful 13^th century church, a Franciscan monastery on the hill, from there scenery all around look beautiful. Roman and Etruscan remains are there too; lot many people come to see these. On can go by tram, buses also ply- buses leave from Piazza Sun Mark .We went by bicycle. That day was Fiesole market day. The shops were under two rows of chestnut and lemon trees, the stalls surrounded by curtain clothes, outside the shopkeepers were loudly canvassing their items. What a delight, what a busy crowd, so many faces, so much colour, so much gusto, so much sunshine. Stacks of cheese, ice creams, biscuits, sweets and fruits were being sold, bottles after bottles of Chianti, big basketful of apples, grapes, pears & figs. Fiesole is famous for straw stuff, rows of straw items were being sold, Straw hats of different colours, designs, bags, baskets. Different types of leather goods made in Florence were also being sold. And also sold were mixed items –medicines, artificial ornaments, shoes, socks, accordion, toys, beads for meditation, photos of Jesus and Virgin Mary, crosses, books, clothes, photo postcards………………………’

(Translated by Wing Commander (Retd.) Sisir Kumar Barua from the original Assamese short story ‘Semesteror Sheshot’)