The Buyer · The Salt Road · Pulse Beat
His name was Mr Anand Sethi, and he wore a white shirt in a land where white shirts last an hour. He came to the house the next morning in an air-conditioned car, politely, with a folder, and sat on…
His name was Mr Anand Sethi, and he wore a white shirt in a land where white shirts last an hour.
He came to the house the next morning in an air-conditioned car, politely, with a folder, and sat on the porch with a glass of buttermilk. He had a pleasant, patient face, and he was, Kavita saw within five minutes, extremely good at his job.
"Your father and I have been talking for two years," he said. "I represent a chemicals company. They are building a plant at the coast. The land your father works is adjacent to the site. They would like to buy, at a price I think you will find generous."
He named it. Kavita did the arithmetic, and her stomach lurched. It was more than their father had made in a lifetime.
"And the salt?" said Mohan.
"The plant would take the water. The pans would end." Mr Sethi spread his hands, apologetic. "It is not a good living, I know. For anyone."
"It's our living," said Mohan.
"Of course." The man smiled kindly. "But your father is unwell. And your brother and sister, if I may say, have other lives. Think about it. I'm in no hurry. Well, a little hurry."