Rendezvous With Love

Snowbound..

We are stuck in a road jam. For over forty five minutes now, we haven’t moved an inch.

“Why isn’t this jam clearing?” Niharika said annoyingly.

“Let me ask the conductor” Roopa goes to the conductor. After five minutes she returns.

“He says there aren’t any chances of the jam clearing before an hour or two.”

“Damn”

“Although he says Bhavali’s only ten minutes away.”

“We can walk. Do you mind?” I eyed Niharika.

“No I’m fine. Let’s go”

We get down the bus. There was a long line of buses and cars on the road. We walk past them.

“Bhavali one kilometer. Hey guys, we are not that far.” I said reading a milestone.

“It’s snowing again.”Niharika said.

We open our umbrellas and scamper on the stout layer of snow. We are enjoying the walk.

“Ouch…” My foot fell in a ditch. It was covered by snow so I unknowingly landed my foot on it and the next moment I was on the ground.

“You okay???” Roopa ran towards me.

“I don’t think so”

My knees and elbows are bruised. My chin is bleeding.

“Here this might help” Niharika handed a few bandages to Roopa. Okay she does keep those with all her beauty products. I was amazed. Roopa bandaged all my bruises.

“Can you walk?” Roopa asked.

“Yes I can manage.” I am feeling better now.

We resume walking. I am limping a bit. The intensity of snowfall is increasing exponentially. After five minutes walk, the snowfall has increased at an alarming rate. We pace up.

“My umbrella” wind blows off Niharika’s umbrella into the ditch.

Roopa moves towards the ditch.

“Let it be Roopa. Let’s keep moving. I am frozen. I can’t afford to wait anymore.”

Niharika’s lips are blue. Her face has turned whiter than her usual white. We keep moving. We reach Bhavali lulled by a complacency that is so profoundly shattered. It is a complete whiteout. All shops are closed. We spot an open tea stall. We sit on the cold wooden benches of the tea stall and order three cups of tea.

“The snowfall seems never-ending.” Roopa was worried.

“I hope it stops.” Niharika was shivering with cold.

I am worried to hell but I try keeping cool.

“From where can we get a bus or taxi for Nainital?” I enquired the stall owner.

He gazes me for a few seconds before replying.

“The weather not good madam. No taxi, no bus to anywhere”.

I look at roopa. She is terrified too.

“Is there any hotel or lodge nearby?” she enquired.

“Yes madam, but only one. Five star. Very costly”

He pointed to a nearby building. ’Hotel continental’. It looks nowhere near to a five star.

“Let’s go and check.”

Roopa and I left for the hotel. After a few minutes walk we reach the reception. It wasn’t that bad from inside. On the reception sat a lady wearing a dark red lip colour.

“Excuse me , we would like to book a room.”

“ Sorry mam we are full.” The receptionist replied regretfully.

“won’t any extra charges fulfill the purpose?” Roopa smiled at the receptionist.

“I will see what I can do.” She made a few phone calls. She spoke some local dialect so we didn’t understand a word.

“Sorry mam there is nothing I can do.”

Disappointment.

We return to the tea stall. Niharika seem a little better now.

“What happened?” she enquired.

We both shook our head to a no..

“What now?” she asked worried.

“I don’t know we are stuck.” Roopa holds her head in her palms. Niharika is in tears.

“Madam if you want, I can help.” Our heads turn towards the tea stall owner.

“If you want you can come to my house. Free food, free bed. No charges.” He grinned

“We can do that.” Niharika was relieved.

“You don’t have any other choice madam. Nowhere to go. Come I will take you to my place. It’s right behind this stall and it’s warm too.”

I feel suspicious about this man. No charges and yet so desperate to take us to his house. Something is wrong with him. I look at Roopa and from her frowns I know she is thinking the same.

“Who do you live with? Family?” I asked him.

“No madam I live alone. Why so many questions madam. You must be hungry. Let’s go. I will cook for you.”

He lifts Niharika’s bag when Roopa snatches it from him.

“No thanks. We’ll manage on our own.”

“What are you saying Roopa what other option do we have?” Niharika was puzzled. Such a dumb head.

“She is right madam. Look outside. Three young girls alone. Anyone can take advantage. This place is not safe.”

“I said no thanks. Come on guys let’s go.”

I took Niharika’s hand and dragged her out.

“Where are you going madam?” He followed us outside.

We increase our pace. He is still following us.

“You think you can get away from me.” He yelled and caught my backpack. He pulled me and wrapped his hand around my neck and locked it with his other hand.

I am stuck between his chest and forearm. Within seconds I feel suffocated.  Roopa comes to my aid and he kicks her off. She falls down groaning. Niharika is frozen with fear. He is dragging me in the opposite direction. Niharika throws a brick towards us. It misses my forehead by an inch and hits him on his chin. He groans in pain and I am set free. I run towards my friends. We all run towards the hotel.