Priya’s Part

Ana did not go back to Daniel’s flat that night. She walked straight from the canal to Bridge Street and rang the bell of the small flat above Shah’s. It was nearly ten. Priya opened the door in her dressing gown, with a cup of tea in one hand and the television talking loudly behind her.

Ana tidak kembali ke flat Daniel malam itu. Dia berjalan lurus dari kanal ke Bridge Street dan membunyikan bel flat kecil di atas Shah’s. Waktu itu hampir pukul sepuluh. Priya membuka pintu dengan jubah mandinya, memegang secangkir teh di satu tangan dan televisi berbunyi keras di belakangnya.

One look at Ana’s face was enough. Priya turned off the television without asking anything and put the kettle on again. Her flat was small and warm and full of photographs: weddings, babies, a young Priya in a yellow sari standing in front of the shop on its first day, thirty years ago, with a very proud man beside her.

Satu tatapan ke wajah Ana sudah cukup. Priya mematikan televisi tanpa bertanya apa pun dan memasang ketel lagi. Flatnya kecil, hangat, dan penuh foto: pernikahan, bayi-bayi, Priya muda mengenakan sari kuning berdiri di depan toko pada hari pertamanya, tiga puluh tahun lalu, bersama seorang pria yang sangat bangga di sampingnya.

Ana told her about Helen’s visit to the boat, about the envelope and the number with all its zeros, and about Michael’s decision. When she said the words for Jess, Priya put her cup down on the table so carefully that it did not make a sound.

Ana menceritakan kepadanya tentang kunjungan Helen ke perahu, tentang amplop dan angka dengan semua angka nolnya, dan tentang keputusan Michael. Ketika dia mengucapkan kata-kata untuk Jess, Priya meletakkan cangkirnya di atas meja dengan sangat hati-hati hingga tidak menimbulkan suara.