1 week ago
Migrant Family Struggles With Work, Parenthood, and Belonging in Bahrain
This fictional story follows Joachim, who lives and works in Bahrain with his wife Emilda and daughter Caryn.
He sometimes remembers his earlier life in Mangalore.
Joachim feels that having a child has made his marriage less carefree than before.
He also worries that his family could be forced to leave Bahrain someday.
One day, he brings Caryn to his office because his boss is away.
He asks Manoj, an office worker, to watch her while he makes tea.
Caryn follows pigeons and briefly disappears, making Joachim and Emilda very frightened.
Manoj finds her and brings her back safely.
Joachim then helps Manoj with money for his daughter’s wedding and offers him a ride to the market.
Joachim leaves Mangalore for Bahrain, where he and Emilda raise their daughter Caryn during uncertain times.
Joachim feels that Caryn’s birth has changed the couple’s former closeness and worries about their family’s future.
While Emilda is busy, Joachim brings Caryn to the office and asks Manoj to watch her briefly.
Caryn wanders away while looking at pigeons, prompting Joachim and Emilda to search the office in panic.
Joachim lends Manoj money for his daughter’s wedding and offers to drive him to the Manama souq.
- Who
- Joachim, his wife Emilda, their daughter Caryn, and their colleague Manoj.
- What
- A family’s daily struggles in Bahrain culminate in Caryn briefly wandering away at Joachim’s workplace.
- Where
- Bahrain, including Joachim’s office and the Manama souq; Joachim previously lived in Mangalore.
- When
- During the Gulf War period, on a workday when Joachim’s boss is out of town.
- Why
- Joachim brings Caryn to work because he needs to care for her, while Manoj seeks financial help for his daughter’s wedding.
Key facts
- Setting
- Bahrain, with Mangalore as Joachim’s former home
- Family
- Joachim and Emilda have a daughter named Caryn
- Historical backdrop
- The Gulf War
- Workplace incident
- Caryn briefly leaves the office area while following pigeons
- Manoj’s situation
- He has worked in the Gulf for ten years and is saving for his daughter’s wedding
- Financial help
- Joachim gives Manoj some dinars and offers him a ride to the Manama souq
- Source
- Excerpted from You Envy the Coutinhos by Michelle D’costa
Quotes
Emilda
Joachim’s wife, who works with him in Bahrain
“Madam is not lending me anything. I requested thrice. Madam and you both are earning. I’m the only earning member in my family. Can you give me something, please? I don’t want to create any problems. I will return it with my next salary. I promise.”
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“What else have you been lying about?”
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Sources
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