Rafū

By Kamalika Mazumder

“Hey, you... BEEP… Get aside! The new consignment has arrived. Boss has said that everything should be perfect to the T…” The man in his Whitest white Suit held his words for a minute to pause and scanned his eyes throughout the huge working space of the factory that lay ahead. A large number of working benches are laid serially throughout the huge floor. In each bench, a craftsman is engrossed in his or her work. The atmosphere is buzzing with the hum of machines that add to the vibrancy of the place. The man took out his scarf to wipe the traces of water beads that glistened on his eyebrows.

“Agent 354, minus 100 points for using Cuss words” A lady in a full white gown with a hoodie that radiated a professional yet chic look spoke in a very polished way as she put the data in the writing pad she held in her hand.

“Ohh! I have not used Agent 77, I said Beep only” replied the irritated man.

“But you intend to, my dear. You know what our Boss says: It's the intention that matters.”

“You…” The man seemed to get control and digested the lecture. Moreover, he needed to complete the work assigned quickly to renew his points. So, it was better to put his energy where it was required.

The lady suddenly felt like hearing something and shot past Agent 354 to continue her duty. Agent 354 felt a bit relaxed at her departure and again called at the workspace cheerfully.

“Hey everyone, listen to me. A new piece has arrived in the consignment, a piece that only the perfect craftsman can carry out the work. All of you can start the other works but do not dare touch this black box. I have very little time to spare, there’s a long list of work chalked out already for me. Where is Seamster 001?”

The workers come forward to have a look at the big box that is kept in front. A man from the workers' side asks, “Agent 354, Why don’t you allow me to do the work for the Boss this time? I need some points please.”

“I am sorry Seamster 45, I know you are good enough but still, you will not be able to handle the work. Believe me, it is a hell of a lot of work.”

“Agent 354, minus 50 for using hell” The lady came back and stood beside him.

“Oh My Boss! How could you move so fast? Are you by any chance stalking me? If you want we can go on a date after duty hours, but don't try to seize my attention like this dear.”

The lady smirked and again went away through the main door. Agent 354 felt helpless at the loss of points, obviously not a very good morning for sure. He took some time to move over the loss and then asked for Seamster 001 again.

Seamster 001 came from behind the crowd and stood in front of him. He was wearing a plain white coloured frilled shirt, pants and a cloak. His hands were adorned in white gloves that made him look like some magician and a magician indeed he was. The white hair was neatly combed and raised into a highrise ponytail. The slightly freckled and wrinkled skin of his face gives out the experience he holds in terms of his art.

“Why are you looking for me Agent 354? My students can handle any artefacts as professionally as I. Give these old eyes a little rest my dear. The eyes have seen a lot.” Seamster 001 spoke in a serene voice.

Agent 354 showed his gesture of respect to Seamster 001 and said in a hushed tone, “You are needed for this. You can’t even imagine what is inside. Only you can fix it up, What you call it in your words ....”

“Rafū… It is called Rafū… When I first heard this word some thousands of years ago, I seemed to like the term. The beautiful work where you take out shreds of tattered fabric and join them up delicately so as to make the flaws disappear beneath the intricate stitches.”, Seamster 001 paused and then continued with a sigh, “Okay, Agent 354, let me see what you have brought for me this time and what I can do for you.”

x------------x------------x

I love sitting on this golden plush high-rise cushioned chair and looking outside at the void clouds but today I know this cannot calm me down. I notice that my soft frail fingers are gently fidgeting the sparkling diamond brooch on the bright pearl-white layered robe. On days like this, I feel very low and even helpless. There is anger burning inside me. I can feel the heat of the molten lava. It is only a matter of a few seconds to end everything, but then comes the inevitable question,  What’s next? It is always easy to end anything. Rightly the human had quoted “Be and it is”. It is so easy to create or destroy but what is hard is to maintain. One has to pluck out the dirt, the grit, the excess, the shallowness and fill up with new vigour for a system to come alive. I also did the same thing all the time, so much that I have forgotten the time itself. Then where did I go wrong? Can I ever be wrong too?

My thoughts come to a halt at the knock on my front door. I know who it is as I order to come in. Agent 354 comes in and after his signature for showing respect stands with his head low. I know he has done the job but I still have to confirm,

“Have you given the work to Seamster 001? Has he seen the assignment?”

I don’t know why I asked the last question but as he looks up at me I can sense him being dejected. However, he said in a hushed polite tone, “Boss, Seamster 001 is already on his work and intimated me it will be complete by next week. But, he has requested for his retirement after the job. He says he is not able to sleep these days.”

I know he was not wrong, it is hard to close your eyes once you have seen more than what you can handle. I reply calmly, “Inform Seamster 001 that I will go to his workplace next week and check out his work.”

Agent 354 bows and leaves the room. And, I begin to think of the times when I was younger, when things were a bit different, Or maybe, not that different at all.

x------------x------------x

For the last 5 days, Seamster 001 had been working on the piece that lay ahead. He hated the initial days of his work the most. The sewing could be done by him within a day he knew very well. His teacher was so proud of his craft that he was made Seamster 001 when the teacher retired. In fact, once in his initial days, he remembered the words of his teacher. He said that there was some story in the folklore of the world, something named Alibaba and 40 thieves, that tells about a tailor who could sew a human body blindfolded. Seamster 001 still could hear the words of his Teacher, the then Seamster 001, that the tailor might have learned the craft from him. But these days, Seamster 001 does not seem to love his job at all. Humans are indeed becoming gruesome with every passing day.

As he looked at the heap of materials that lay by the side basket he could feel the pangs of the soul that lay in front of him. What was not there inside? His white-gloved hand was tired of the things being plucked out from the hidden chambers. Marksheets of an astounding grade, chocolate wrappers, rose petals, high heels, red lipstick, and then came out things that were definitely not her: cigarette butts, Whiskey tumbler glass pieces, scratches, bruises, men’s shoe prints, the handle of a spade, and a complete harrowing night. Every single thing was clinging to the artefact like it was a part of the entity. Infact  Seamster 001 had to cut through the artefact at some places to pull the waste out. The work always felt for him like putting on the garb of a detective out on a mission to look for clues to solve the case. But all he knew was that there was nothing in his work to solve or rather, resolve. If he could really bring in a solution, he would have done that a long time back.

As the waste got separated and the core stayed on the table finally, it was time to bring in the magic invisible thread. Every time Seamster 001 picked up the thread in his hand he felt like his age had lessened by some hundred years. When he started the craft, the thread was not completely invisible like this. Boss had really progressed in terms of technology and the advancement could be felt in this string also. Earlier the thread was blackish in colour and hence after the sewn was over, the artefact had to be kept neatly for some days still the thread gets mixed with the surrounding areas. Sometimes, this mingling would take a much longer time depending on the style of the stitch and the craftsman. This almost invisible thread could be felt only when someone touches it. Or else, as light can pass through the thread, eyes could easily be befooled. Seamster 001 smiled at his own string of thoughts that was running in his mind with his hands running over the job in front. He was sure that out of the five senses, eyes are the easiest to be befooled. It instantly believed what it saw, just like some little kid who believed the hands that threw him up in the air would catch him soon.

A knock at the door brought Seamster 001 back to his senses. His assistant was there asking if he needed some help or if he would like a break for some time. However, Seamster 001 was now in no mood for a break. Only two days were left when he had to be in front of the Boss. He wanted the job to be carried out perfectly. After all, this was supposed to be his last job. Hopefully, the Boss would allow him to retire. It was high time that Seamster 145 was renamed as Seamster 001. Seamster 001 looked at the work table and smilingly assured the job in front of him,

“ You will be the prettiest, my dear, have faith in me… ”

x------------x------------x

As I step inside the factory, all the workers rise from their seats and come forward to pay their regards. I, being the Boss, return the gesture with a smile and warmth and signal everyone to carry on with their work. I know there is a whole load of work in front of them piled up. As everyone moves to their seat, I catch a glimpse of Seamster 001 walking up near me. Every time I see this man, I am in awe of his calm and composed personality. It is easy to find someone expert in his or her craft but it is tough to find someone who despite being the master of the craft is so modest in the true sense of the term. I seem to have a liking for this person at heart.

“Welcome Boss… It is always a matter of honour to meet you.” Seamster 001 smiled at me, “ It is ready… ”

“I know it will be, I wanted to meet you and so I came here. Let's go to your Working Studio.”

So we both came to his studio. And then, on the table, it was there. The soul of the girl gang-raped brutally for 6 continuous hours. 

The body of the girl was like some building that crumpled due to a violent earthquake. She was gagged, beaten, and tortured with random objects inserted from every opening of her body, including the eyes. There were multiple fractures and even the skin and flesh ripped at several places.  But it was the soul that was in the most ragged condition. The soul was trapped with her willpower and refused to leave the body easily resulting in an unimaginable strain that made it torn to shreds like crumpled paper strips. But now, all I can see in front of the table is the beautiful complete soul sleeping peacefully like a child.

“Wow ! Seamster 001, I must admit you have outdone yourself. It is simply beautiful. It is now completely ready to go down to the earth and build a life again from scratch, a life full of innocence, beauty, hope and happiness.” I can not help but blurt out my compliments.

Seamster 001 replies, “Thank you, Boss. Yes, I have taken out every dirt of her past life and have sewn in her completely to begin afresh. But, I fear, again if you send her down, the same cycle will continue. It is the same story in every part down there.”

“I know, my children have failed me miserably. Every time I send out a soul here,  your team washes every dirt, sews every wound, and takes out every incident from the soul. Believe me, when I send a pure soul, I always expect to get it back to me in the same form. But then, every time, I am proved wrong…” I could not carry on my words any longer. My voice seems to choke me up. I take a seat on the sofa beside me. I know I have to be strong… I have a long way to go and endure.

Seamster 001 can sense my pain and keeps standing in silence. I know I should not be in my vulnerable state in front of him. I am the Boss, the leader, the One and the Only, but I can not keep myself composed. I feel cheated, I feel assaulted, I feel dejected, and still, I know all I have with me is love and hope. 

I put myself up with regained firmness and order Seamster 001,“Send the soul to the incision factory. I will choose a good and warm family for her. She is a true fighter spirit, she deserves a successful life. Hopefully next time we will see her growing to her prime amidst the love and laughter of her family.” 

Seamster 001 bows and then says in his calm and composed voice, “Boss, I hope the agent has intimated to you that I want to retire. I have seen enough now. Every second day, a rape victim, a human bomb, a war refugee, a tattered soul; I am not able to keep myself sane. Also, my students have become capable enough to handle it, especially Seamster 145 is really a master of this craft, I was thinking…”

I raise my hand to stop his sentence in midair. I reply, “ Seamster 001, I know things are getting murkier, but I believe in a bright future always. If you want to retire, you may do so, but I feel the souls need you, and more than that I need you. I need you to sew back my hopes on mankind.”

Seamster 001 bows and replies, “Thank you Boss for all the faith you hold in me. Believe in me one more time and let the new one take up my role. With new hands comes a fresh aspect… You will not be put down, that’s a promise. And, I may retire, but I am always there to guide just like my predecessors.”

It is the universal rule: The old have to bring in the new, so how can I let him not? I know Seamster 001 will have chosen the very best only and I watch with hopeful eyes as he brings Seamster 145; a young bright lady with a silver twinkle in her eyes. I cannot help but look at the slender long fingers that will start on its revered duty from today.

I extend my right hand as a welcome gesture and let her know that Seamster 001 wants to retire and has nominated her as the new Seamster 001. I can see the happiness in her eyes but also the sense of responsibility that lay for her and somehow love her maturity. I hug Seamster 001, I mean now Ex-Seamster 001, as a mark of respect for the service he has endowed. A new era is going to begin for this workplace. I welcome the lady on her new post and then decide to return to my office; my work is over here. 

As I move from the sofa and walk towards the door of the studio, I stop and look back at the new Seamster 001. I look into her bright big hopeful eyes and say, “I can only wish that you have less gruesome cases to attend in your tenure but I know chances are bleak. When Ex-Seamster 001 joined, his predecessor was clearing up the aftermath of family members fighting over power, but then with time came cases that made no rhyme or reason. But, every time, when we send a polished soul out from this studio we fill it up with love and warmth for a better tomorrow. We all are working towards the same goal.  I hope you can sew back my ragged shoddy heart dilapidated by my own progenies. I cannot abandon them and for that to continue I need your magic hands to mend me up as fresh as always… The magic that can make any rags to riches …”

The Ex-Seamster 001 holds out his wrinkled hand before me and says out loud, “Rafū Boss… The magic is Rafū…”

“Yes Rafū… Come, my dear, hold my hand…  Rafū the world with me… ”

By Kamalika Mazumder