Riga Times

 

 

Riga Times

Riga had many varied times in her life. Some were fine others not. They were like a car’s foot pedals. Some fast-accelerating others slow and stopping. One good speedy time was when she went to the province with her husband. They went to see a river. It was blue on colour. People from all around went to view it. This was on their off days. Work allowed her to do this. Five days’ work and two off. Make it count. They took their daughters there. It was a four-hour drive. The blue water river was cold wet deep fast unique. Optics and light refraction made the water so coloured. There were four others like it in Bangladesh. Her husband was about to be posted away to a different town. This was their last time together as a family till he returned in three months. Government work needed doing. Riga was a sup in a call centre. It paid well and she worked hard. Work wasn't on her scope today. They were a family. And sang songs on the trip. The radio provided the music. Riga knew a Philippine short-wave metal channel. Razorback, Kamikazee and Wolfgang were loud. Her husband drove. They all sang alternative music. The trip lasted forever. No time mattered in these moments. Riga talked to her husband. She remembered how they met. It seemed like yesterday. He smiled and nodded. All the best years my dear. They stopped off at an eating place for curry and bread. The ice water was wonderful. Their daughters told jokes and compared school days. The eldest laughed that there was a boy in class. He was always noisy and his name was on the board. Just like some I knew Riga added with a smirk. Riga was only on the board once. She didn't like detention or lines. Such a fast learner. They contained their drive. Traffic was light. There was a break in the monsoons. Upon arriving at the river Riga said are we ready? This will be awesome. And it was. The water was sky blue! Like the sky fell into the river. It flowed swiftly. Darting shapes of fish could be seen. They swam faster than the current. Impossible to tell the type. The family took photos and selfies on their digital cameras and early model phones. Maybe one day phones would improve to do good quality video. Riga found a rock by the bank and they sat down on a Hello Kitty blanket. This blanket was as old as her eldest daughter and all liked it. The sun was high and the shaded trees were virtuous. Her husband said he would miss them when in the other town. Riga said make this day count. And call me every day. Use a pay phone if the signal is bad. You know I miss you. They continued to enjoy the day. Riga had brought some rice cakes and province biscuits. It went well with orange juice and coffee. In this nation family times mattered most. It was simply precious. Like the blue river. Look at it. How come it's so blue and wonderful? Wonderful like you Riga. And her family. Some things were just right.

***