Raju, my long lost Nepali brother

October 2, 2009
Raju. It kind of sounds like Roger, but instead of “er” on the end, there’s an “oo” sound. He’s seven with the stature of a five year old (on a good day!) and speaks minimal English. And by minimal, I mean, he can say, “My name is Raju” and “I am fine, how are you?” Our levels of communication are limited at best! BUT, we still find ways to enjoy each other...

Raju came back today after being gone for Dashain the last 2 weeks. As he worked his way up the stairs, gripping the railing that’s almost above his head, he stopped and peeked in my door. My surprise and excitement could not be contained as I exclaimed, “Raju!” and flashed him a big grin! A big, dimpled grin lit up his little face, stretching his cheeks as far as was physically possible. Then he turned and continued his hike upstairs to the boys room.

As my excitement of the kids returning got the best of me, I came clambering after him. He had already deposited his backpack in his cubby, and was out on the roof, having pulled himself up on the thick cement railing and was resting on his stomache, his feet dangling off the ground, mesmerized at the view he had so missed the past 2 weeks! His huge grin never left his face, and he clutched a 5 rupee note in his hand as if it were the most precious jewel! He turned to look at me, and I scooped him up and turned him upside down, and a quite giggle escaped his throat!

Upon returning him to his correct state of being, he turned and walked toward the black spiral staircase up to the chicken coop. He slowly climbed the stairs, turning to look at me every few steps, contemplating the existence of chicken poop on the stairs (a few have escaped the past 2 weeks) and then proceeded to climb over the gate (I guess he didn’t realize you can just push it open)! If it’s possible, his grin got even wider as he gazed on the chickens. He looked at me and simply said, “Hen.” I laughed and replied, “Cuckara.” He grinned and with the twinkle in his eye that little boys get when they’re about to do something they probably shouldn’t do, he turned and ran towards one, hands out, laughter spilling from his mouth and eyes. The hen squawked and dove under the hen house for cover (I’m still not sure that they don’t realize that the day they get caught, they’ll never come back!). Mesmerized, he ran towards another, causing a whole cluster of them to entangle feathers as they scurried for safety, out of the reach of this grubby handed 7 year old!

I think this might paint the best picture I could possibly paint for Raju. He reminded me today of coming home after a long time away; everything’s so familiar and missed and yet seems so foreign and new! A boy of few words until he gets warmed up, but a joy and light shine forth from his oversized grin and his twinkling eyes! He loves to play dominoes with Chloe and I, and bears the brunt of being the smallest of all the children. He’s also the newest, having arrived just months ago. When his big eyes look up at you, you just want to pick him up, squeeze him, and take him home! Oh, and Prokesh says that we look like brother and sister, says we have the same face! Go figure...