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Chapter - 4
Love In The Wilderness
Two weeks. She didn't see him for two entire weeks after the night of the party. In fact, it was she who ensured to not cross paths with him over that fortnight.
She spent her days with Joy driving him crazy, making him work harder than ever, making him put in longer hours than he intended. At night, she even went to the extent of reading under her bed cover with a flashlight rather than use the candlelight like normal people did in jungles. Only because she didn't want him landing up at her door step seeing the flickering light from beneath the door and the gaps in the window - knowing she wouldn't be able to turn him away.
Despite everything she could not deceive herself. She couldn't change the fact that she missed him. She didn't want to, yet she did. The more she craved to see him, the more she avoided their encounter.
Having turned a deaf ear to Joy's suggestion to take it easy at least over the weekends, she had worked endlessly - collecting samples, running them through tests, logging the statistics and then analyzing the findings. Day after day and night after night. Unable to take her doggedness, her mentor had finally thrown her out of his cottage the previous evening by threatening her to send her back home, if she didn't leave him alone till Monday morning.
After spending the morning writing an article on the migratory birds of Corbett for the National Geographic magazine, Khushi finally stepped out to relax on the verandah. Tucking the feet beneath her comfortably, she settled down into the traditional rounded cane chair to enjoy the view.
The sunrays glinted on the fast running river, particularly when it skimmed the over boulders to sparkle the way clusters of diamonds would when they ricochet off of a surface. The surrounding flora shone brilliantly in an array of greens after weeks of rains. The sturdy wild flowers added brightness to the landscape and lightened her heart, forcing her tired eyes to flutter close. Before long she was fast asleep.
"Long time no see, neighbor."
The voice startled her out of the deep slumber. She let go of the film magazine that was held loosely in her fingers. It fell down on the floor messily. "Dammit! You scared the hell out of me."
Looking genuinely apologetic, Arnav held up his hands on either side of his head. "Sorry I spooked you. Didn't realize you were sleeping."
She made a pretty picture in khaki capris and an olive green t-shirt with cropped sleeves that stopped way above her biceps. The colour of her capris matched his chinos. "Actually I have come in peace waving a white flag and bearing gifts." He added.
She looked at his hands that carried neither of the objects he mentioned with a raised brow.
"Ah, that. The white shirt I'm wearing is the truce flag. The gift I have for you is something that's impossible to bring to you. You need to go with me to get it." He gave her a long thoughtful look knowing she was going to turn down the offer any second.
And sure enough she did. "No thank you." She tucked the Jawline skimming hair behind her ears.
He, for his part tucked the tongue firmly in the cheek before saying, "You'll regret it." Watched her open her mouth to contradict him bad temperedly before speaking again. "Wait! Listen to me. I just got a call from one of our trackers who spotted the tiger prey on a Sambar and drag her into the under brush. You know the park is closed to public during monsoons. But I'm offering to take you with me. The tiger should be around that location protecting the dead deer. So, do you still not want to go?" He walked up closer to stand over her, flustering her momentarily.
"Are you crazy? Or do you think I'm crazy? Who would refuse such an offer? Or should I say, a gift. Of course I'm going." Khushi's stance perked up and so did her voice. The grin that split her face made her eyes smaller with crinkles in the corner. "Thank you, Arnav." Her sincere gratitude shone through and so did her worry for him. "But are you allowed to take visitors? Will you get in trouble?"
"You don't bother about that. I'll have a guy with permission letter waiting at the park entrance gate. Don't forget your DSLR and anything else you may need. Hopefully, it'll be one of those unforgettable once in a lifetime experiences. Knowing you, you'll hate not having it on record. Really Khushi, you'll love Dhikala - Very scenic, with dense forest on one side and wild grassy lands on the other. The best part about the location is the way it is tucked into the river bend." Arnav's description of the restricted plateau high above Ramganga reservoir had Khushi almost drool.
Heightened anticipation made her grip the bamboo armrest. "And the tiger viewing - the biggest reason for my temptation. The only reason why I'm even going out with you." She shot him a knowing look, instantly went warm when his mirthful dancing eyes met hers.
"Since the tigers tend to protect their dead prey, I'm hoping for the best. But there are times when they move the prey deeper into the brush. If you don't rush, we may miss it in all probability. Hurry up." He caught her arm to pull her up and out of her lazing position.
Her tight hold on the lounger not withstanding, Khushi flew out of the chair. She stumbled towards him to crash right into his chest, knocking the breath out of them. Yet the breathlessness wasn't painful.
The unexpected crash sent a train thundering through her chest. Perhaps there were two trains.
He felt harder, tougher and leaner against her willowy softness. A muscular man. Not the lanky one he used to be and neither was she the girl she was all those years ago. A woman with soft curves in all the right places.
Calm down.
Gentle extrication helped her to step away from him.
"Give me two minutes." Khushi dashed into the cottage as fast as the wobbly legs could carry her.
*************************************
They drove to Dhikala, with the early afternoon sun beating down on them. Khushi fell in love with the big land, open skies and the great wilderness. The grass was green, the sky blue, the air fresh and everything else around pure. Nature at its best.
The walkie-talkie radio in the jeep hummed every so often.
"I hear that by shutting down the park during monsoons, the livelihood of the guides is affected badly." Khushi had made up her mind to keep the conversation light and impersonal.
"True. But cannot be helped. Monsoons wash away some roads inside the park. Quite a few mud roads become too slushy for use. That's why we are using the map today." He pointed to the topography map on Khushi's lap. "I have the roads that are accessible marked there." He tapped on the small red tick marks across the sheet.
"Right."
The forest thrummed with life. The birds chirped. The animals moved. Even before they entered the grasslands of Dhikala, Arnav pointed out a variety of birds and animals to Khushi - Deers, Robins, Wild Boars, Thrushes, and a group of peacocks.
As they waited for the man with the permit at the entrance of the park, Khushi asked the question that had been on her mind for the last ten days. "I read about the teak smuggling that took place two weeks ago. It seems to have gotten worse. Three times the number of trees that were smuggled out the previous time. Plus, they nearly killed a man. Thank God he was found in time. Imagine being beaten almost to death. How is Mr. Sharma?" She looked him in the eye. Hers were agitated.
His were calm and quiet. "He will live. Hopefully will have a complete recovery after that brutal episode. Still in the hospital, just like the newspaper said. It could take a couple of months before he can come back to work." Arnav looked into the rear view mirror as if he were searching for someone.
"Is your office investigating this?"
"Yes and the police as well." His matter-of-fact tone may have stopped anyone else from probing further but not Khushi.
"Why do these investigations take so long? We saw them that night. Why didn't you call for back up and take them down?" She demanded.
"Because we don't have amateur sleuths like you working for us, Nancy Drew." He joked. "Also, I was busy looking out for you that night. We protect. We don't endanger civilian lives." Arnav's eyes shifted to meet hers, shocking her into silence. He lifted his brows as if asking her to retort.
Khushi backed off knowing she was at fault. "Sorry." Her quiet apology made him feel guilty. For Arnav didn't immediately act on what he saw that night for reasons he wasn't going to share with Khushi.
"Forget I said that. It has nothing to do with you. I'm sorry I brought you into the picture. It's an on-going investigation and I'm not supposed to talk about it." He smiled softly, making her heart skip a beat.
"Isn't Mr. Sharma the man who works in Mr. Jha's office? I had met him twice before this incident happened. Nice man. Aman and he were really helpful. I hope he gets better soon." Khushi crossed her fingers and made a wish.
"So do I. So do I." He repeated. "Just give me minute. I'll be back." He got off the jeep in one leap and made his way to the two-wheeler that just rode up.
Khushi waited as Arnav went about collecting the permit and walked to the field office that was ten feet away to get it stamped.
"The weather forecast is great for the rest of the evening. Clear sunny skies and the sun set hour is not before 1830 hours. Not too hot and not too humid either given the way the Monsoon season. This year the river overflow hasn't been too bad too. Hope the slush factor isn't too bad. Let's wish for the best. Keep this map open." He leaned in through her open window and unrolled the map on her lap.
He was so close that Khushi could smell his soap and he could feel her breath on his cheek. Controlling the need to run her fingers over his two-day-old stubble, she sucked her breath in as if it would help add little distance between them. Alas, it wasn't so. And when he turned his face towards her, she simply forgot to breath.
Anticipation heated the air between them. It became so heavy that it levitated them. Drew them in. Magnified the closeness. Their thoughts ventured towards places they didn't dare tread. Khushi turned her face away. Arnav drew back.
"Time to leave." He muttered and walked around the jeep.
They drove through the grasslands. Everything around was silent. There was sacredness to the space.
Arnav and Khushi spoke in whispers. This was a land that belonged to the animals. Humans had no place in it. They were mere facilitators who ensured that the animals roamed free and safe in their world.
Khushi heard the cuckoo sing in the distance. Arnav slowed down the vehicle to a crawl and then stopped entirely. The engine sounds were the only noise around. The rest was hushed. She opened her mouth to ask, to whisper to Arnav but forgot to speak. Her jaw hung open. Literally.
Two hundred meters ahead of them was an elephant crossing the road. It swung its trunk and its huge back gracefully to come out of the high grass on the left. The animal didn't look to the right or the left. Walked straight across as if he owned the world.
Khushi forgot her camera that hung around her neck. She was awed. Looking at the live animal in his world and enjoying the moment for what it was became far more important than capturing it on a gadget.
She caught Arnav's arm when another elephant followed the first. And another. They realized it was a herd of elephants crossing the road from one side of the grasslands to the other. Nine of them in various sizes. The big ones looked majestic. The baby elephants looked cute enough to cuddle. Khushi recovered from that initial joy to start clicking away on her DSLR. She lost track of the number of photos she took.
She was hoarse with whispering instructions to Arnav, who moved the jeep to multiple vantage points so that she could capture them from all angles.
Over the next hour, they drove tens of kilometers. He spotted tracks of Sambar deer, Buffalo and a Jackal. She used the video to record to her heart's content. A snake slithered out and Arnav stopped, letting the reptile pass.
He used binoculars to search the area. He read the map. He drove. He kept his fingers crossed and prayed. He wanted to track the location of the cat for he knew finding tigers in Jim Corbett Park is the hardest task. Twelve hundred square kilometers and two hundred and odd tigers, the chances are next to none unless one does multiple safaris in a short period of time.
Khushi searched the brush for the striped cat. One day, she thought. One day I'll go to Masai Mara. She hoped to go there to check out the merit in the comparison between the world famous park and Dhikala.
Feeling Arnav's hand over hers, she looked at him.
"Look there." He pointed in the distance.
"Where? What? Can you see him? I can't." She whispered hurriedly, worried that she would miss her chance of seeing the tiger.
"All I see are few deer coming out from the direction. I see birds moving away from there too. Probably fleeing. I think our cat is there. Get your cameras ready." His quiet tone was as soothing as the stream running downhill somewhere nearby.
They drove slowly, steadily and stealthily. Then stopped. She jumped when he took her arm but understood his signal. He picked up her arm, pointed it in their ten-o-clock direction under the brush. They didn't speak. They didn't need to.
The prey did not resemble a Samba anymore. The head probably was recognizable, only because they heard the details from the tracker. The body on the other hand was nothing but a bloody pit. Bloody messy pit. Yet, Khushi felt no repugnance. Survival of the fittest is the law of nature. She watched the majestic Tiger sitting by the dead animal. The round stripes around the mouth of the cat were coloured red.
As Khushi clicked away, shot after shot, Arnav used the video recorder to capture the scene unfolding before them.
The tiger looked up, met Khushi's eyes across the grassland. Khushi trembled. Did not breathe. More out of respect than fear.
The cat stood up. It was big. Not even the tall grass could dwarf the King of Dhikala. With a warning growl, the tiger picked up the carcass and began moving it away from the human predators. To move the dead animal deeper into the jungle.
Arnav Khushi did not blink in the fear of missing the spectacle until the cat disappeared from sight dragging its prey behind leaving a bloody trail.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Did I just see that? I did right?" Khushi forgot to whisper. She leaned towards Arnav, gave him a tight hug. She forgot the past, the conflict and every other disturbing memory of her life. This was it. This was life. She kissed Arnav. Hard. On his cheek.
When they drove back, Khushi could not fight the thought that she was thrilled to have shared one of the biggest moments of her life with Arnav. Her happiness felt complete.
*************************************
Despite the remnant daylight, the moon sat nice and bright in the distant sky. Slashes of pink and orange lent an innate beauty to the horizon.
The forest, the nature, the memories of the day, flashes of the old days filled, flooded and swelled in Arnav. He looked at the girl, who was fast asleep beside him. He was surprised that he remembered those few days spent with Khushi with such clarity, such detail.
Then perhaps, it shouldn't have been a surprise. After all, they were the happiest days of his life. For the first time in his life, he had found someone who understood his dreams and aspirations.
She was the one who had told him that hurdles in life are common. Ambitious dreaming is common too. However, those who fight to surpass the hurdles, to make those dreams a reality are far and few. They had promised each other that no matter what, they would mould themselves into people who had the guts to fight the odds in life, to win.
He wanted to continue driving, to pass the ends of the world so that she would remain beside him. Fine, if not drive forever, he had a few hours before he needed to wind his way down the forest roads, back to the cottage.
Khushi shivered beside him. The air around had cooled and the open jeep offered minimum protection. He passed the massive trees that lined the path to the cottage. The teak and the Sal trees - They were just there - Like the soldiers looking out for the world.
He parked the jeep, sat admiring the girl who tugged at his hearts strings. Watched her frown, eyes flutter, come awake gradually.
"Are we home already?"
Arnav's stomach clenched hearing the word, home.
"Yes, we are." He touched her hand and let it linger.
"I had such a fantastic day. Can't recollect a better day in my entire life. I'm really grateful, Arnav."
He didn't want her gratitude. "There is no need for that." He opened the door, unfolded and stepped out.
"No. Seriously. I may have never gotten an opportunity such as this if it wasn't for you." Khushi frowned, not understanding why he was sounding aloof all of a sudden after the wonderful day they had spent together. She got off the vehicle and went on to pick up her backpack from the backseat. "What's wrong with you? You were fine till I fell asleep and now you are grumpy as can be."
"Just tired." He picked up his backpack from the opposite side and walked around to her.
Feeling friendlier, she leaned back against the door and smiled. "I can understand that."
He stepped closer and rested his hands on the jeep, effectively boxing her between him and the four-wheel drive. "What do you understand, Khushi?"
Her head jerked up when his fingers grazed her chin, followed a trail towards her lips. "I understand it's time to go. I'm tired too. I desperately need a shower, food and sleep. In that order." She was too aware of his sinewy arms, broad shoulders, lean legs and his gentle fingers.
"Do you want to know what I think?" His finger skimmed over her lips.
"No. Not interested." She tried to duck under his arm.
He moved just enough to block her exit. Now, his body was plum against hers while she pressed back into the jeep. "Doesn't matter. I will tell you anyway. I need to tell you. Or I am going to .."
"Going to? Going to what, Arnav? Let me go." She tried nonchalance even as her heart pounded away at a burning speed. "We spent a good day together. Don't ruin it with these childish games."
"Childish? This feels childish to you?" He moved in so fast that when he brushed her lips with his, Khushi forgot to breathe.
"Get off me." Her voice sounded weak to her own ears.
He slid his fingers into her hair, tilted her head up and swooped down to devour her lips. She stiffened first as the taste of him travelled through her at an incredible rate but she stood no chance against the sheer pleasure. Melding her body to his, she gave in to the primal need. Her eyes closed.
They fed on each other. Lips against lips, lips versus tongues, tongue dueling tongue. A little nip here and a little bite there. Her moan goaded him further. His groan aroused her.
He skimmed his lips down her face. The smooth skin of her throat tempted him to taste her. The tiny bite he took at the base of her neck had her gasping for air. Her head fell back.
When his hand cupped her firm breast and kneaded, she went limp. She would have slid down to the ground hadn't it been for his body physically holding her in place against the jeep. His calloused hand continued its foray to stray towards her open collar to dip down.
The utter surrender she sensed coming over her, shook Khushi intensely. So intensely that she was roused out of the impending downfall.
Khushi struggled free when he nipped her jaw. "Get off me." She gasped and took in mouthfuls of oxygen.
The glazed look in her eyes had him worried. "Khushi, I ..."
"Back off." The panic in her voice couldn't be mistaken for anything else. She braced her palms against his chest to physically hold him away from her. "Stay away from me."
"I'm not going to do that. Why should I do that when I know you feel the way I do too?" His question did not sound as strong as he intended. His pulse was too erratic for that.
"You have no say in this! Remember?" Now feeling far more confident, she looked him in the eye. "You had a choice. And you chose. To walk away from me. You made your bed, buddy. Now go lie in it." She pushed him back and made her way to the cottage.
"I know I hurt you. You had a right to know what was happening in my life." She kept walking. "Wait. Dammit." He stopped her by pulling on her elbow and walked around to stand before her. "Let me explain. Please?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Explain? Explain what? Why you chose to dump me ungraciously after kissing me. Why you decided to ignore me after spending days sitting by the river, walking in the forest talking about our dreams, ambitions, future plans? Or do you want to talk about how you never bothered to stay in touch after going back from the field trip? Oh, wait. You probably want to talk about why you stayed out of my way and why you never took my calls. Of course, the way you slurred through my last call, telling me to back off in not so many words, takes the cake. I have heard it all. So, excuse me for not wanting to listen to anymore explanations." She hoped he was hurting as badly as she was.
Hurting and at a loss, Arnav ploughed his fingers through his hair, roughly scraping his scalp. "I know I handled the whole situation badly. Badly doesn't even begin to describe the way I messed up. I can imagine how you felt and I'm s..." All the while, his eyes pleaded with her to understand. To listen.
She interrupted him. Temper ruled her. She was in no mood to hear anything he had to say - especially a belated apology. "Its too many years too late. It's done, Arnav. It's over."
She stalked away.
His left hand shot out to grip her arm and twirled her back towards him. His right went around the back of her neck. His mouth captured hers. Hot, wanting, needing and desperate. Then he released her as abruptly. "No. It's not over. In fact, it's just the beginning, Khushi."
He picked up the backpack that was on the ground beside the jeep and walked away, leaving her shell-shocked.
***************************************
Disclaimer - Jim Corbett National Park is closed during the monsoon season. Despite intense research I could not find proof on whether or not the officials of the park are allowed to take their personal visitors to the park during this closure. I apologize if this creative liberty I have taken is faulty. Thank you.
Hello Darlings,
Here's chapter -4. I seriously hope it blended in well with what my friends had written earlier.
I am thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to write this collab SS. The idea excited me and it has been fun ride. Of course the pressure of delivering had me worried. Finally, it's done.
The ball is in your court now. So, what's the verdict?
Let us know.
Cheers
Sandhya
Edited by AquaSandhya - 11 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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