{"id":15536,"date":"2017-01-13T18:06:48","date_gmt":"2017-01-14T02:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/?p=15536"},"modified":"2017-01-13T19:35:53","modified_gmt":"2017-01-14T03:35:53","slug":"attractive-business-by-dr-raghavendra-rao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/attractive-business-by-dr-raghavendra-rao\/","title":{"rendered":"Attractive Business: By Dr. Raghavendra Rao"},"content":{"rendered":"

Enjoying my vacation, I sat near the window of my room at the Arenal Paradise Resort in Costa Rica. I had a good view of the dormant Arenal Volcano, the top hidden by white clouds resembling huge cotton balls. As my eyes travelled down the lava slopes, I discerned doll-sized shanties covered by tin roofs. \u2013 @Siliconeer #Siliconeer #Fiction #DrRaghavendraRao #Literature<\/p>\n

\n

Thick verdant rain forest covered the hills and valleys nurtured by the abundant showers as though the sky had multiple water leaks. Rivulets splashed down the mountains like thin ribbons of melted silver. Cicadas chirped incessantly in a chorus. Farther down, plush resorts dotted the mountainsides with spas, pools, hot springs and exotic restaurants catering to the rich.<\/p>\n

There was a knock on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHousekeeping, may I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice was mellifluous.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

A beautiful young brunette of about 20 years with almond colored skin and raven dark hair entered my room. A tiny mole on her left cheek enhanced her beauty like a black pearl in a gold ornament. She wore a dark pink resort uniform. \u201cChange the sheets and clean the room, se\u00f1or?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I stood at the open window enjoying the cool pollution-free mountain breeze. The same breeze ruffled her hair. A gust messed up the sheets. She struggled to straighten the bed sheets in vain and looked at me. I closed the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a hard job. Isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes se\u00f1or, it is rough. You see the shanties on the mountain slope? I live there and walk to work, three miles every day.\u00a0 I have to work to support myself and my invalid husband, and two children.\u201d She sounded sad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, se\u00f1or. My husband fell from a horse and broke his back two years ago. Since then he is bedridden.\u201d Looking embarrassed, she added, \u201cI am sorry to bother you with my problems. Have a nice day.\u201d<\/p>\n

She adjusted the pillows and left.<\/p>\n

I put a five-dollar bill on the table before leaving for a tropical forest tour.<\/p>\n

When I came back that evening, the room was filled with the fragrance of flowers. I saw on the side table fresh lilies, carnations and lush green fronds in a vase, which had been empty that morning. <\/b>There was <\/b>an envelope <\/b>with a note pinned <\/b>to it <\/b>that said, <\/b>\u201cYour house keeper is Jasmine. <\/b>Enjoy the comforts of the room. For further assistance, call the front desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jasmine came the next morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning. The flowers are beautiful. How is your husband?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a fever now and some loose stools. It is hard to move him back and forth to the bathroom. I will take him to a doctor today.\u201d She fashioned a butterfly with the towels and placed it along with a few Hershey\u2019s Chocolate Kisses on the bed. \u201cPlease excuse me. I am bothering you again with my problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all. Don\u2019t you have brothers or sisters to help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJasmine, you speak good English.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a high school graduate. I can type too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you should look for a better job. I\u2019m a doctor. If you\u2019re in the States, I would have hired you as my secretary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally se\u00f1or? If I come with you, will you take me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd leave your invalid husband and children here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jasmine paused for a second. \u201cNo, I cannot leave them here. I like this job. I live on tips from visitors. If kind people like you give me good tips, I will buy a wheel chair. That will help my poor husband.\u201d Tears rolled down her cheeks.<\/p>\n

I gave her a tissue.<\/p>\n

Jasmine recovered quickly and apologized. She replaced the drooping flowers in the vase with fresh red roses. \u201cI must go now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake good care of your husband and children. The Lord will help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jasmine stopped for a moment at the entrance, turned and looked at me. A hint of a smile flashed on her vermilion lips for a second. \u201cThank you. You are a kind doctor. I am sure everyone loves you.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was my last day at the Arenal Paradise Resort. Before leaving the room I placed $300 in the envelope and a note saying, \u201cBuy a wheelchair for your husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

The airport van was late in coming so I sat in the bar, which was empty of customers. I offered a beer to the bartender and the conversation flowed freely.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you know this house keeping lady, Jasmine,\u201d I said, \u201cpoor thing, she has to take care of her paralyzed husband and two children. Hard life at such a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJasmine? The cute girl with a mole on her left cheek?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are mistaken se\u00f1or. Her husband works here as a cook. Eating free food at the kitchen, he is as sturdy as a horse. They don\u2019t have children.\u201d<\/p>\n

I fell silent like the Arenal volcano.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe airport van is here,\u201d the front desk receptionist announced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Enjoying my vacation, I sat near the window of my room at the Arenal Paradise Resort in Costa Rica. I had a good view of the dormant Arenal Volcano, the top hidden by white clouds resembling huge cotton balls. As my eyes travelled down the lava slopes, I discerned doll-sized shanties covered by tin roofs….<\/p>\n

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