Most of you may not know – Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are big importers of Nepali migrant workers. They take mean jobs like sweepers, fast food servers, domestics and others. But they take pride with what they do.
Two of my housekeepers in Bangkok are Nepalese. They have been with me for the longest time and god knows they are the best household workers in the whole dang world *although not the best cooks, that's for sure*
When they knew I was going to Nepal, dinner suddenly got tasty!
“Amrita, what did you put in my chicken curry?” I said without looking at her minding my pleasant dish.
Amrita rushed out of the dining room without answering me. Seconds later, she was tagging Panya…”P’Dekdek?”
I hate it when they call me that. “Pee” in Thai is like older big brother and “dek-dek” is a small little kid – so, which is which?! Godammit!
They must’ve got it from my mom when she calls me “dek-dek” and Amrita and Panya just added the “pee” for respect, I guess. BUT IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE! Ha!
Anyways, they didn’t answer my question about dinner but they posed their own question instead…
“P’Dekdek, *argh! I hate it!*… when are you going to Kathmandu?”
“Ahhh! Checking out my mails again huh?” I said to myself. I didn’t answer them. And how did they know???
“P’Dekdek, is it okay if I send a package to my family?” Panya said, Amrita pinched her at the back. “…and Amrita too.” She continued with unsure smile.
“Ahhh! That’s why dinner suddenly is tasty, isn’t it?” I said again quietly. Now I know.
Isn’t it against the law to carry packages for others? Especially if you have to take the plane? How would I know what’s in the package? Open it secretly? Do I fucken look like a fucken UPS man? Huh! What if they frame me up? Wait! Why would they frame me up? Waaaahhh! – Questions rushing through my head. My brain's yellin' I D O N T W A N N A A A A A!!!
Awkward silence. The sound of cutlery against my china is unbearable to the three of us…
“But you’re not from Kathmandu.” I said with concern. Hoping they would stop this non-sense...
“Yes we are!” they said in chorus. “Our families would meet you at the airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday morning. Please give the packages to them. Thank you!” then both of ‘em rushed out of the room without my reply.
“WELL I’LL BE DAMNED. They even knew my flight schedule?”
****