The cool air triggered his sinuses and he began sniffling.His nose had begun to turn a cute red.
"Drat! There goes my much needed R & R," he muttered annoyed rubbing the back of his gloved hand over his face.
He pulled his woolen cap over his ears and walked through the evening mist his hands stuffed deep into his black down jacket.
The past year had been extremely busy professionally for the chief of the Mumbai Crime Branch, Arjun Rawte. But then which year had seen a lull in his stellar 13 year service ? He sighed. At the ripe old age of 36 he was beginning to feel burned out. Most of his colleagues had already started on the path of booze and a delectable variety of women to ward off the stress of daily policing. But some reason these distractions did not interest the Super cop even in passing. His hobbies consisted of reading a good biography or watching an action packed movie once in a while.Not much else brightened his otherwise mundane gritty life.
He had never married. His love life consisted of a few affairs spread over a decade. Nothing serious. At least not enough to tie him down into a long term commitment.
When his superiors noticed him putting in alarming hours at his work he was first requested then ordered to take a week off duty. The alternative to that would have been a compulsory two weeks stint at the desk doing paperwork. That proposition was enough to send him fleeing to these hills.
As a college student he had come here to explore the renowned hiking trails of the Kasara Ghats, Nasik. He had loved it then and nothing much had changed since. He extended his tour to the nearby Igatpuri, a lovely hill station nestled among the green rolling hills. He rented out a cozy cottage on the outskirts of the main town.Three peaceful days had passed and he had begun to enjoy the rare leisure that had come his way. He skipped his SUV and had been walking down to the restaurant to have his dinner for the past two days.
He passed by a delightful little art gallery lit & decorated tastefully. Well dressed people were moving in and out of the place and his curiosity was aroused. He entered to take a quick look at the works of art displayed there on his way to the eatery.
He was surprised to see the display consisted of creations of some really talented artists. Soon he was engrossed in appreciating every framed poster and every exhibit mounted.
Then his eyes fell on the most exquisite creation of the entire room and he stood mesmerised.
The creation wasn't in a frame or atop a display case. She stood engrossed in a front of a large picture oblivious of her surrounding her large brown eyes deeply taking in every splash of colour and every arc of line drawn on the painting.
She was quite tall and very slender. Very waif like. Her porcelain creamy complexion shone and her minimal coral pink make up brought out a child like vulnerability and innocence in her.
Arjun slowly gravitated towards her unbeknownst to him.
And soon found himself standing beside her looking at the picture she had been staring at for so long.
She wore a maxi dress in a lovely shade of pale green and she smelled of Lilies of the Valley. Arjun was in a trance at such Madonna like beauty.
The picture was of a sweet little girl looking worriedly at a distance.
"Its as if she had been waiting all day and no one came to get her, isn't it?"
Without looking at him she said in a deep quiet voice.
Both turned to look at each other at the same time. Her expression was so forlorn and melancholy it broke his heart. He barely stopped in time to reach out to her.
"She is a beautiful child," he said turning back to the painting.
"She is, isn't she?" she replied turning away.
Arjun tried his best to bring himself out of the enchanted state and compose himself.
When he turned back to her she had started to walk away. Something made her turn and stare at him. She then turned to look over his shoulder and her colour faded to white. Arjun felt the room suddenly grow cold like he passed in front of an open freezer.
When she looked at him again there was just so much compassion in her eyes.
She slowly walked towards him and stood looking deep into his eyes. It was as if she was looking right down him into his soul.
"Good bye...and let go," she whispered. She smiled a little.
He could not speak. A moment later she was gone.
The spell was broken. He glanced at his watch. He went out into the cold and resumed his walk.All the while trying to dispel the swirling images of the child-woman from the Art Gallery.
Nights were cold in these parts and there was only so much frost he could take.
This night too he was glad to enter the warm cozy pub. It was an old fashioned place built in the British Era and Arjun loved the old world ambience, the hushed silence and the Continental menu served there. Since he was a teetotaler jugs of warm Apple Cider garnished with spices and herbs was a rare treat.
It was charming.It soothed him into a comfortable lull.
Soon he was feeling normal again. He laughed away the incident on his way here.
Was she even real or was he hallucinating, he wondered.
...let go...?
He tried not to dwell on that.
Sipping the cider he took stock of the people around him. Every table was taken and the stools at the bar were occupied too.These places had a way of seeming uncrowded even with a full house he thought approvingly.
Many patrons were with friends and family but there were a few like him. Alone. A feeling of wistfulness passed over him.
One man was sitting slightly apart and was steadily downing one drink after the other.Arjun noticed the bar tender casting worried looks over at him.
Soon he would be denied any more pegs and politely asked to leave, chuckled Arjun.
Finishing up he signalled for the check. He was content so he handsomely tipped the servers who had taken good care of him.
As he was leaving the man at the bar toppled over on his drink and then slid off his bar stool.
Oh Man! He is gonna a need a ride home thought Arjun.
Continued below...
CID
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
6