CELEBRATION:  OUR LORD GANESH

The elephant was created as a symbol of Sammy’s new found independence. Later she supposed it should have been a butterfly as she lay on the brink of great change: the adolescent, no longer the child. It was her first real tattoo in celebration of the rest of her life or at least that’s what her crazy mother had said before she whisked them both off to India.

‘For adventure,’ she had cried. And it all had been pretty shit up to now anyway.

They slept in a makeshift hut on the beach, deeply content, with their burnished bodies and their bleached blonde hair. Hot sun, cheap food, plenty of dope. Plus the marauding men who arrived by the busload to ogle the scantily dressed women who barely seem to notice.   But Sammy always noticed.

Every night was party night with a celebration for everything or so it seemed. Then mum met Aaditya. Pock marked, older, monied.

‘I am the Sun,’ he said. ‘For you I will shine all day. And this is my son Aadhira; he is the moon. He will take care of your Sammy as I will take care of you.’ There was an extended family too of fussy aunts and over fond uncles.

At first it was fun, Aaditya took them to restaurants and bought them trinkets and sometimes he even took them to his house. Sammy could go for long walks along the beach; everyone looked out for you, they made it seem safe. Then mum said she was going away with Aaditya.

‘Only for a day or two, you’ll be fine. And the Aunts are here and Aadhira,’ and she was gone before Sammy could reply.

Aadhira took her hand (rather too tightly) ‘You’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘Tonight is a big celebration. Tonight is for our Lord Ganesh. See your elephant- that’s Ganesh.’

Sammy moved her shoulder slightly as the elephant sat sentinel upon her sun ripe skin.

That night there was an abundance of food and music, dancing, flowers, sweets and coconut, lamp oil, incense and a scent of sandalwood paste hanging in the air, until the moon made its way slowly to the sea.  Then Aadhira took Sammy to the water’s edge urging her to join with him.

‘In celebration,’ he said, ‘for us.’

But she pulled back afraid as he tightened his grip upon her arm. She had no idea what  might happen.

She struggled but it was no good, Aadhira was too strong as she felt the surge of water invade her and toss her and drag at her until she felt quite alone with just the moon and the water waiting.

‘You know what we do for our Lord Ganesh?’ A disembodied voice called.

No wait for an answer. 

‘We drown him.’

And with that Sammy felt a hand upon her head bearing her down into the water as both she and the elephant disappeared and a cheer went up from the distant shore in celebration.