Rags to Riches
Raj Narayan Singh belonged to a rich and affluent family . Once upon a time his father and grandfather were Zamindars of dozens of villages in a princely state before the Britishers left India . He was called by his first name Raj by all the family members and friends . When Raj was in college he used to visit European countries or the USA during his summer vacation . He was brought up in a very disciplined environment . Even though he came from a Zamindar family , his parents and grandparents taught him not to flirt or mess up with any girl and to keep the reputation of family high in the society .
Once in late 1970s he was on a trip to Las Vegas in the Nevada state of the USA . Las Vegas is known for its Casinos and often called the entertainment capital of the world . The Vietnam war had ended a couple of years back.
One evening he was enjoying the strip of Vegas . There in a casino he met a casino girl just at the entrance of one of the famous casinos . She introduces herself “ Good evening sir . I am a local casino girl .May I help you in the casino ? “
“ Who are you ? “ asked Raj
“ I am your casino girl . I will help you win at the gambling table , I know lots of tricks to win here . “
“ But I will play at the slot machines only . I don’t know gambling . But before that I would like to have some drinks , beer only . “
“ No problem . Please come with me . “ said the casino girl and asked her to sit in the corner of the bar .
“ You can bring your favorite drinks also . I will pay for all . “ said Raj
“ Yes sir , that’s the unwritten rule . Customers pay for the casino girls .”
“ Customer ? “ asked Raj
“ Yes , I am at your service tonight . “
“ What services can you give ? And how much do you charge ? “ Raj asked laughingly
“ All that you want or need from me but the thing which most men want to do with me is prohibited in Vegas . “ said the casino girl in a soft voice and went to the bar counter . Raj couldn’t hear her last words because of the noise in the hall and asked “ And how much do you charge for services ?. Money isn't an issue for me . “
“ It depends whether you hire me on an hourly basis or as long as you want .”
“ Neither money nor time is an issue . You seem to be a nice girl , I would like to spend more time with you .”
“ It’s my pleasure sir . “ She said and went to fetch drinks . She came back quickly with two bottles of ‘ Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ‘ and two glasses .
“ What’s your name ? “
“ Ten toi la Chang . “ she replied
“ So big name ? “ asked Raj
“ Ten toi la means ‘ my name is ‘ and Chang is a Vietnamese name meaning adornment . In English it is written as Trang .”
“Nice name . “
Chao mung , I mean thank you . “
For three hours Raj played at slot machines and at the roulette table game . Altogether he won nearly 2500 US dollars . Trang said “ It’s a lucky day for you .”
“ It’s because of you , cam on . Cam on in Vietnamese means thank you . “
Raj said “ I have been watching many shows and lighting in the strip for the last three days . I am tired of it . I have been sleeping the whole day . I want a change and would like to spend the rest of the night somewhere in a calm environment with you.”
“ Sure , I am with you . Can you come to Pahrump , Nye county? It's a one hour drive from here . “
“ Yes , let us go . It’s a beautiful night , full moon and millions of stars .Let’s have dinner first . “
After dinner Trang called a cab and they proceeded . Trang said “ It’s better to book a hotel for tonight . You would be tired and it’s better to return to Vegas tomorrow only . “
“ I am not in any hurry . But tell me one thing . Why did you choose Paharum ? “ Raj asked
“ Don’t you remember what I said to you in Vegas at the bar ? ‘
“ No, I can't recall any special thing you said there . What do you mean to say? “
“ I told you sir , I can do all that you want or need from me but the thing which most men want to do with me is prohibited in Vegas .”
“ Still you sound unclear to me , be straightforward Trang . “
“ Sex with Casino girls is prohibited in Las Vegas but it’s legal here . You can get all that you want from me . I am here at your service .”
Raj laughed and said “ Well I don’t need any sex here or anywhere . It’s not to offend you , but if I want there is no dearth of beautiful girls in India . I visit other countries for a change , to relax and to learn about different cultures and if possible languages . “
After that Raj took out a small pocket book and after looking at some pages said “ Ban dep qua .” ( you are so beautiful )
Trang laughed and said “ Cam on ( Thanks ) Wow , you can speak Vietnamese also .”
“ You are quite an interesting and entertaining girl .I will relax and talk with you . Any problem ? “
“ No sir , it’s a rare thing for me . You are such an exceptional customer .” Trang said
“ Now sit near me and tell me how you came into this profession ? Wait a minute you said you are a Vietnamese girl but you look like any American girl . Your nose isn’t flat , your eyes aren’t small .”
“ Sir , it’s a big story . “
“ You can call me Raj , no problem . “
“ Cam on ( thanks ) .You rightly said that I don’t look like a normal Vietnamese girl . That’s because during the 20 years long Vietnam war , some local women or girls were either in relationships or just one night stands with American soldiers . My mother was one of them and I am the byproduct of this fact . As you know the war started in 1955 and ended in 1975 . My father died helping American soldiers . After the war, my mother was picked by local rebels and tortured to death . I was sixteen when I managed to come here as a refugee . I had no education and no money at all , I was not fit for any job , I used to live on food coupons given to refugees by the government . I was easily inducted into a casino girl business by a cheater who lured me to offer a job .. That’s my big story in short . “
“ Okay , it’s not too late . You can mend your ways even now . You can start a small business of your own .“
“ I need some capital for it but I hardly have any spare dollars .”
“ Here are your 2500 dollars which I won in the casino . “ Raj pulled out these bills from his bag and offered to Trang
“ I am not dishonest , sir .These are your money sir, you won not me. “
“ No, it was your initiative and luck . I have enough in India . You can tell me other ways to earn easy money .”
“ Easy money comes in gambling only but it depends on luck .”
“ So far we have been lucky , haven't we ? “
“ I don’t know whose luck it was , yours or mine . “
“ Don’t argue and keep this money .” Raj gave her 2500 Dollars and said further “ Are there horse race courts nearby? I haven’t played it for a long time . “
After looking at the newspaper she said “ Yes sir , there is a horse race tomorrow afternoon at Pine White County Fair race ground . But it’s about a three hour drive from here .”
“ No issue , we already have our cab for the next two days . “
Trang managed to get a horse bet through a local agent . Next day both were in the race court well in time . And here also Raj won about 5000 dollars net after all discounts . Trang was overjoyed and said “ Sir , You are really super lucky . “.
“ No , I rarely win any gamble . I am lucky because of your company . This amount is also for you . You now have 7500 Dollars . You should be able to plan and invest in a business and move on to a new life . “
“ Sir, it’s so kind of you but I really don’t deserve to owe it . It’s your money .”
“ I told you not to argue . If you are so rigid about it you can think of returning the money once you are affluent . Okay now keep this money and behave like a good girl . Let us go back to Las Vegas . I have my flight to India tomorrow .”
Next day Trang accompanied Raj to see off at the airport . She was so emotional that her eyes were full of tears . She went down on his feet in true Indian style to take his blessings . Raj said “ Take care of yourself . “
Trang also said “ Wish you a happy and safe journey . “ . Then she pulled out a card from her purse and gave it to Raj saying “ This is my contact number . “
Twenty years have passed since Raj last visited Las Vegas.He set up his own industry in Durgapur , West Bengal . He was married and had a fifteen year old daughter . He was travelling with his family on a train from Delhi to Kolkata . It was winter and very cold . At Gaya station he got down and filled his flask with hot tea and came back to his seat . Just before the train started crawling, a lady came running and boarded the same coach . Raj didn’t notice her .
He took out a few disposable tea cups from his bag and poured in three cups . He noticed that the lady sitting on the opposite seat was struggling with her shawl to cover her face and body . Though the coach was air conditioned , she was coming from the open air , so it took some time to adjust her . Raj noticed her and offered her tea and said “ Have tea . You will feel better . “
As he was giving her tea , the lady was watching both his wrists . She said “ Thanks sir . If I am not wrong ,you are Mr Raj . “
“ How do you know me ? “ Raj asked
“ I could recognize you because of six fingers in both your hands . “ Then she further said laughingly “ Ten toi la Trang ( My name is Trang ) .”
“ Ten toi la Raj ( My name is Raj ) “ Raj also replied laughing . His wife and daughter both were surprised at the gestures of Raj and the lady .
Raj introduced his wife Ratna and daughter to Trang and said “ This is Trang . I have already told you about her . “
Trang stood and tried to touch the feet of both Raj and his wife . Both stopped her midway and blessed her . Then Trang touched the head of Raj’s daughter and said “ Ban that dang yeu ( you are so cute ) . “
“ But it’s a huge surprise to see you here in India . How are you and What brings you here ? “ asked Raj
“ I am here because of you . “
Ratna and her daughter were looking at her in surprise . Trang continued “ I am here to offer prayers to our lord Budhdha at Gaya . This is our topmost pilgrim . You gave me 7500 Dollars . I started a small transport business in Vegas . I started with two Cars on lease , it paid me back handsomely . Then I bought those two cars and went on adding to my fleet . Today I own a good company with a fleet of two dozen cars . I have expanded my business to Los Angeles also. “
“ You are doing all this alone ? “
“ No , I am married and I too have a daughter . In my absence my husband is looking after the business . When I go back he will visit Gaya to offer his prayers . I am sorry to say that I gave you my contacts but you never contacted me . “
“ I didn’t want to contact you, otherwise you might have thought that I am reminding you of the money I gave you .”
“ Sorry sir , I am not that mean . Though now I can return your money but I don’t want to .”
“ Why ? “
“ Because your money will always make me grateful and obliged to you . And you helped me when I was in rags . You brought me from rags to riches . Paying it back now is an ungrateful act . “
“ Where are you going now ? “ Raj asked
“ I have my flight tomorrow from Kolkata . “
After a couple of hours Raj said “ We will get down in half an hour at Durgapur . You can come here next time when you are in India . “
Trang pulled out a card and gave it to Raj and said “ Now please be in touch . Please give me an opportunity to serve you all whenever you are visiting the USA . “
“ Sure , we hope to see you soon there .”
In a few minutes Raj’s station came . While getting down all said to Trang “ Good bye . “
“ Tam biet ( good bye ) . “ said trang .
The train left for its onward destination .
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Note - This story is purely a work of fiction .
