“Sir, this is a strange land, far removed from your America. We have djinns, bhootsand churailsin these mountains. And then there is the beast,” Ramesh whispered, looking to his left and right.
“Beast? What beast?” Sanath appeared to be amused. “Sssh… not so loud, sir!” Ramesh looked around, this time with raised apprehension and lowered his voice further. “The beast!
The Other Side
179 It is a fearsome creature, half human, half bear. But please don't even mention its name. It brings a lifetime of sorrow and bad luck.” And he refused to answer further questions on the subject.
“These guys are giving us a lot of bull,” Sanath consoled Shalini after seeing her slowdown. “Don't pay any attention and just enjoy the surroundings.”
They reached the ridge at Tali and started their descent. Shalini found the going easy and their pace improved. They reached a mountain stream that danced and sparkled in the afternoon sun.
“We will stop here for lunch,” Sanath announced and the guides immediately started setting things up. Shalini took off her sneakers and socks and dipped her feet in the cold water. It felt good. Sanath joined her and they sat side by side, enjoying the scenery while the guides prepared their food a little distance away. Shalini felt adventurous and a little frisky. She coaxed Sanath to the middle of the shallow stream and soon they were splashing around like school-kids, drenching their bodies.
“Sir, lunch is ready!” Ramesh called out and they made their way to the shore, looking sheepish in their sodden clothes.
“This place is a veritable paradise. I want to camp here tonight,” Sanath decided.
“No sir! This place is not safe. We need to go uphill for two kilometers and reach Chopta. It will be far better to stay there.”
“I have made up my mind! Pitch my tent here while you go and stay there. Come back in the morning for us,” Sanath was insistent.
“Please try to understand. This is Garhwal, not your America. You cannot do this,” Ramesh coaxed.
“I am not going to change my mind. You'll get your payment only if you follow orders. Just do what I say,” Sanath thundered.
The guides complied with the instructions reluctantly. Then they collected dry wood and built a bonfire near the tent.
“We'll stay with you till evening and will leave before darkness descends. We will leave dinner for you and light the fire before leaving. We have collected enough firewood for it to burn the whole night. Do not venture away from it in the night. This will keep the animals away,” Brijesh informed. Time seemed to fly as the couple chitchatted about their changed lives and planned things ahead. Soon after sundown, the guides left for Chopta carrying most of their provisions, as night was about to descend.
Shalini and Sanath found themselves alone in the middle of nowhere. The fire burned steadily, casting a reassuring glow around. Sanath and Shalini snuggled up under a blanket.
“Ah, this feels like paradise. The air is so pure,” Sanath whispered.
“Yes, I wish our love stays pure like it, standing the test of times,” Shalini said, putting an arm around her husband.
The mountain stream gurgled nearby as the stars appeared on the firmament one by one. The sky was clear and the stars appeared to be much bigger and brighter as compared to the polluted metros they were accustomed to.
Sanath pecked her playfully on the cheek. “I promised you something different, didn't I? Now tell me how are you finding this honeymoon?”
“Camping in the middle of nowhere! Very romantic and all that but I am slightly scared.”
The Other Side
181 The creatures of the night hooted and twittered around them and Shalini inched closer to Sanath. Sanath realised that she was shivering. He tried to divert her attention.
“Allow me to give you a basic lesson in amateur astronomy. The three stars in a straight line just above us are a part of the constellation Orion. Orion is the legendary hunter who is supposed be hunting Taurus, the bull. If you look carefully at that group of stars over there you will see Taurus,” Sanath said, pointing skywards.
“You know everything, don't you?” Shalini said admiringly. Sanath smiled. “The easiest constellation to identify is the Ursa major or the big bear. If you see those seven stars…” “Don't remind me of bears!” interrupted Shalini shivering involuntarily; the stories she had heard in the morning come back to her mind.
“You are cold and shivering,” Sanath said concerned. “Let's get into the tent and I'll make all problems go away,” he added with a wink, tugging at her dress.
The sound of thunder woke Shalini. She was disoriented for a moment, wondering where she was. Then she felt the sleeping form of Sanath next to her. She remembered that they were camped in the middle of the jungle. The tent was flapping and shaking in the wind while frequent flashes of lightening shone through the fabric. She thought she saw the lightening illuminate a large shadow near their tent. Shalini blinked and it was gone. It so resembled a bear on two feet, she thought. She rubbed her eyes, seeing her fears take shape in her mind.