On the morning of 28th December at around 11:50am, the arrival hall of Imphal Airport stirred as passengers stepped off their flights. Among them was Halish, tall and sharp-feather, carrying a sleek black suitcase on left hand. His expression was nothing but bored.
He walked toward a man who were waiting beside a white BMW X7, Mangal, his father's friend. Mangal was a well known name in Manipur; one of the richest men in the state and highly successful business man.
Years ago, he and Halish's father had crossed paths at an international business conference, a meeting that eventually grew into a strong friendship.
Mangal smiled warmly as soon as he spotted the young man.
"Halish, you're finally here. I've been waiting. Come, give me your suitcase."
Halish stopped in front of him and handed over the suitcase, rolling his eyes as he muttered in irritation.
"Yeah, I'm here. I still can't believe my parents sent me here as punishment for being 'too wild and 'a jerk'. I'm stuck here until I decided to change."
He grumbled on, while Mangal placed the suitcase in the car, letting out a soft, amused chuckled.
"Don't be so upset, young man. This place isn't half as bad as you think. You'll come to appreciate Manipur in time."
Halish rolled his eyes again, clearly unconvinced. With a huff, he climbed into the passenger seat.
"Yeah, yeah- in time. For now, please drive. I'm exhausted."
Mangal chuckled once more, walked around to the driver's seat, started the engine, and soon the car gliding toward the residence.
About an half hour later, the BMW stopped before a large iron gate. Leisilembi were dressed in elegant Meitei traditional attire, Mangals's wife opened the gate. She allowed the car inside then close the gate behind them.
Mangal stepped out first and retrieved the suitcase, Halish followed, pausing to take in the sight before him. The house was grand, two stories tall, painted in a soft dusty-iris hue, with a spacious courtyard adorned with a rich variety of blooming flowers.
After securing the gate, Leisilembi returned, lit up a small paper fire on the ground and turned to Halish.
"Young man, walk over the fire with your suitcase."
Halish raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Why?"
Mangal chuckled at his confusion and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"It's a part of our culture. When someone returns from a foreign country or hospital or a long journey or come from a foreign country, we do this for purification and good fortune. Go on- before the fire burns out."
Halish listen and nodded, he let out a tired sighed. With a quiet tsk, he grabbed his suitcase and stepped over the fire and walked into the house.
Mangal and Leisilembi exchange a brief amused glances at Halish's obvious displeasure before following him inside the house. Once indoors, Leisilembi quietly headed to the kitchen to prepare lunch, while Mangal made his way to the living room to keep their guest company.
When Mangal entered the living room, he found Halish sprawled across a white couch, legs stretched wide, his poster careless and arrogant, with the suitcase abandoned on the floor beside him. The sight made Mangal chuckle softly. He walked over and settled down next to the young man.
"Come on, get up."
He said lightly.
"I'll show you your room."
Halish didn't move an inch, leaning back lazily, he muttered.
"After lunch, uncle."
Mangal laughed again at his stubborn laziness and decided to let him for the moment.
Not long after, Leisilembi appeared at the doorway, her expression gentle and welcoming.
"Lunch is ready."
She said softly.
"Both of you, please come and eat."
Mangal nodded, stood up and turned to Halish.
"Come on, young man. Let's go have lunch."
Halish looked like he had no intention of moving- until his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and finally stood up.
"Yeah. I'm ready."
The three of them walked into the kitchen together. Mangal and Halish took their seats at the table, with Leisilembi remained standing across from them, ready to serve more food if needed.
Halish looked down at the meal laid before him. Slowly, raising his eyebrow in mild surprised. There was a plate of soft, steaming white rice, a bowl of chicken curry, and a simple serving of fresh vegetables salad.
"It's so simple and different from what we usually eat in United States. But it's smells really good and spicy."
He admitted, sniffing the air. Then he glanced around the table.
"By the way, where's my spoon and fork?"
Leisilembi smiled quietly without saying a word, while Mangal let out a small chuckle.
"Watch how I eat, young man."
Mangal washed his right hand in a large glass bowl of water, then poured some curry over his rice. He mixed it smoothly with his fingers, lifted a portion, and ate with ease.
Halish stare at him, utterly stunned and slightly disgusting.
"You eat like that? With your hands?
That's disgusting."
Both Mangal and Leisilembi laughed at his reaction. Still mixing his rice, Mangal replied playfully.
"Now, now- don't say that. You don't know how much better food tastes when you eat it with our own hands. Besides..."
He added with a teasing smile.
"Don't you eat pizza and burger with your hands?"
Halish felt his face heat up. He looked away, embarassed yet unconvinced. 'How could food taste better like that?' He thought but didn't want to admitted what he was saying is true.
Rolling his eyes, he replied stubbornly.
"Whatever. Just give me a spoon."
Mangal sighed lightly at his insistence and glance at his wife, signalling her to bring one.
"But how will you manage to eat properly like that, young man?"
He asked with a quiet amusement. Leisilembi handed the spoon to Halish. Halish scooped some curry, and poured it onto the rice. When he tried to mix it, the food stubbornly refused to blend the way Mangal's had.
"I can handle it."
Halish respond Mangal's question after a long time. He stole a glance at Mangal who was smirking openly. His cheeks flushed red, caught between embarassed and irritation, as he struggle with spoon.
After lunch ended about twenty minutes later, Leisilembi return to her house chores, quietly washing the dishes. Mangal led Halish upstairs and showed him his room, located on the left side of the second floor.
The room was simple yet immaculately clean, bathed in soft raw-cotten hues that gave it calm, under the stated warmth. A large king-sized bed stood at the centre, draped with thin elegant curtains. Two pillows rested neatly against the headboard, along with three thick fluffy blankets. Sunlight filtered in through two large windows. A small table and armchair near one of the window.
Halish then collapsed onto the bed and drift off to sleep. He didn't even think to called his parents.
Days passed blurry, Halish's parents would call Mangal occasionally and asked about their son. Mangal and Leisilembi won't force Halish, they'll slowly will try to change him and then take action if it needed.
Three days passed.
It was 31st, a day of farewell and celebrations.
Halish was usually energetic as he dressed for the evening party he would attend with his uncle and aunty. He wore a black turtleneck sweater, it's top buttons undone, paired with dark charcoal trousers and polished black shoes. A silver watch rested against his wrist, adding a sharp edge to his look.
He stood before the mirror, fixing his hair. A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
The door opened slowly, and Mangal stood at the doorway. He was dressed in a black suit, a simple white button up shirt beneath it, and a sleek black zipper neck tie.
"Are you done getting ready, young man?"
He asked. Halish eyes lit up instantly. Turning toward his uncle, he replied eagerly.
"Yes, uncle! Can we go now? Can we go?"
Mangal chuckled at his excitement and nodded.
"Alright. Come out. Your aunty is already waiting."
Grinning widely, Halish wasted no time. He rushed out of the room and practically sprinted toward the car outside.
"Slow down, slow down."
Mangal called out after him playfully.
"You'll trip over something and end up in the hospital. We won't want to ruin this farewell, would we?"
Halish stopped abruptly. Letting out an annoying huff, he walked normally to the car and climbed inside.
Mangal and Leisilembi laughed softly at his reaction before getting in as well. Soon, the engine started, and the car drove off toward the party venue.
About an hour later, they arrived at Mayang Imphal Heigum Yangbi, stopping in front of a large house gate. Stepping out of the car, they entered the spacious courtyard.
Halish looked around curiously. Several people were seated on chairs, chatting comfortably- it appeared to be a gathering of siblings and close relatives for the evening party.
A man noticed them and stood up with a friendly smile. Walking over, he shook hands with Mangal.
"Ai Mangal, long time no see. It's really good to see you again. I'm glad you come with your family."
Mangal smiled warmly as he returned the handshake.
"Yes, friend. It's been a long time."
The man then turned to Halish.
"Is this your son, Mangal? He's tall and handsome."
Mangal chuckled.
"No, no. My son is in German, studying. The young man here is from United States, one of my friend's son."
The man nodded in understanding then turned to Leisilembi, he greet her kindly.
"Sister, how have you been?"
"I've been well."
Leisilembi replied with a soft smile.
"Indra, I was hoping to see your daughter. I heard she runs away and hide whenever guests arrive. That's adorable. And I've also heard she's very pretty too."
Indra laughed heartily.
"She is indeed. Come on inside. Let's talk indoors. I'll call her down as well."
They followed him inside and reached the waiting room. Indra gestured for them to sit.
"Please have a seat."
As they settled onto the couch, Indra took out his phone and dialed a number.
Meanwhile, Halish leaned back, glancing around the room with idle curiosity. Suddenly, he noticed a glimpse of a girl rushing upstairs. She wore short black pant and an oversized olive-green tshirt, her hair loose as as she disappeared from sight.
He barely paid attention, assuming she was just a kid, and turned back into the adult's conversation. Indra's call connected.
"Daisy."
He said calmly.
"Come downstairs. My friends would like to meet you."
"Okay."
Came a soft reply from the other side. Indra hung up and smiled at Leisilembi.
"I call her through phone. She's upstairs. She'll be down in a minute."
Leisilembi's smile widened as she waited eagerly. The two men continued their conversation, voices calm and seasoned, speaking of business, travel, and the passing of year. Leisilembi occasionally joined in, her laughter light, her attention drifting now and then toward the staircase.
Halish was growing restless, sitting still for too long bored him. He leaned back against the couch, his eyes aimlessly wandering around the room until movment caught his attention.
Daisy appeared at the top of the stairs. She descended slowly, wearing a small shy smile. She was dressed in a white long-sleeve button up crop top cardigan paired with a modest white tulle skirt. Black thick double straps high-heels slippers adorned her feet, and her hair flowed freely down her back, soft and natural. The moment Leisilembi saw her, her eyes lit up with delight.
"It's true."
She said warmly."
"She's so small and cute and slim. Just look at her, darling."
Mangal looked up as Daisy approached. He studied her briefly before nodding in agreement, a gentle smile forming on his face.
"Yes."
He said softly.
"She's beautiful."
Indra laughed, pride evident in his voice, and gestured toward the couch beside him.
"Come, Daisy. Sit here."
Daisy hesitated, then quietly sat down beside next to her father, hands folded neatly in her lap. But Leisilembi was having none of it.
"No, no- come here, sweetheart."
She said fondly, shifting away from her husband and patting the space between them. Indra and Mangal laughed at her eagerness.
"Go on, daughter."
Indra said with a smile.
"Sit there."
Daisy stood up again, slightly flushed, and slowly took the seat between the couple. Almost immediately, Leisilembi reached out, gently running her fingers through Daisy's hair.
"Oh my goodness."
She exclaimed softly.
"Your hair, it's so shiny and so soft."
Daisy's cheeks flushed a light pink, embarrassment mixing with quiet happiness as she lowered her gaze.
The two men returned to their discussion, voices blending into the background. Leisilembi chatted with Daisy, asking small questions, laughing gently, making her feel at ease.
And all the while, Halish watched. He hadn't realized when his attention had shifted completely, nor when his boredom had vanished. His eyes rested on Daisy longer than intended. His heart skip once, then again, beating louder in his chest, unfamiliar and unsettling.