A SCARY NIGHT AT SID'S RETREAT

THE NIGHTMARE REPEATED!

After a gap of 5 years my husband got a call from his army officer friend regarding his wedding. His name was captain Aloke Thapa.We were invited and guess what,it was out of station.The venue was picturesque mountains of Sikkim.I was elated! Hills and mountains have always encaptured me.All of a sudden I thought now I need some wedding shopping. I picked up my handbag and just rushed towards a nearby mall.My husband was cursing me for shopping for a wedding.He said," you have closet full of sarees,dresses and expensive jewelleries,why do you want to shop again" ? I didn't say a word and just rushed out as fast as I could. I went to the mall and got into an expensive salon.I asked them to cut my hair and do a glowing facial.After spending four hours in that salon I picked my son for play school and got back home.By now I was hungry .I ate like a buffalo. My husband was surprised that I had no shopping bags.He told me so dear you finally changed your mind.I said no baby today I visited a salon.Shopping I will go tomorrow. I could see his face turn red in anger but when do we women listen about shopping?He told me please for God's sake carry less luggage. We have to move from one station to other for the wedding. First the girl's side and then the groom's side and we can't take our son because the weather conditions are very bad there.I was upset at first but then I thought a 5 year old cannot take the burden of Indian wedding festivities

because we have a lot of strenuous rituals and it may take a week or two.I had a very disturbed sleep that night thinking about our son.I got up excited the next morning .It was a shopping day yeah! I gulped down my breakfast and took a cab to a nearby mall.My husband shouted, " No western dresses please!".The taxi driver was grinning at me.I was so embarrassed! I asked the driver to move on.He told me mam! the mall has yet not opened, what will you do there? I lied to him,oh! a friend is meeting me there.I paid him and got down.The mall had just opened and cleaning up was going on.I cursed myself to come so early. I suddenly saw a cafe open so I just went inside and ordered a cup of coffee.My coffee came and It was a huge cup.I stylishly started sipping my coffee looking outside the large glass window panes.Time went by.Now I went to a saree shop and started shopping for some georgette sarees.Georgette is a very thin material.I purchased 3 rajasthani leheriya sarees in pink,red and purple. oh! I thought I would look like a bollywood diva in the wedding. All eyes would be on me.The shopkeeper then brought out a beautiful white saree with golden work.The saree was mindblowing but he was not negotiating on the price.He said mam the saree is 4000/ but I will give you for 3500/.I said please give me for 3000/ .He was not budging from his price tag.He told me mam you will look like a princess I it.The saree was too beautiful to loose so I paid him 3500/ and took the saree.I was finally happy about my shopping but you can't satisfy a woman.I saw a custom jewellery shop and went inside.I love pearl jewellery so I bought three sets of pearl danglers to match with my sarees.I was hungry by now as it was lunch time.I grabbed a burger and came back home.I started packing my stuffs so that I don't forget them.My husband was also packing his stuffs.I saw him take jackets,sweaters and coats.He asked me where are your winter wear?I said I'm going to drape georgette sarees and I can't wear any jackets on it.My husband started laughing aloud.He said,crazy woman! The temperature there is going to be in minus.Its freezing cold there and you will wear georgette sarees there,atleast take some shawls or shrugs.I got irritated and said I will manage.He said you better manage because I won't be sharing my winter wear with you.I huffed and puffed in anger and took some minimum winter wear.I never liked winters because you can't dress up well . The next day we had a train to catch.I kissed my sleeping son and tears rolled down my cheeks. Being a mother is very difficult.Its hard to say goodbyes! After an hourlong drive we were in the railway station. The station was bustling with crowd.We somehow managed to get inside the train and found our seats.I took the window seat.We had some chai and light breakfast. I told my husband to buy me some comics and magazines to pass my time.It was just 12 hours journey still I wanted to read.Time flew by and we reached a station called siliguri.From siliguri we took a Tata Sumo for sikkim.Sikkim is a hill station and you can see snow capped Mount Everest from there.It has beautiful scenic views.Complete natural beauty. The roads go round and round to the peak.By now i started feeling bit pukish and felt my ears blocked.The driver asked me to have some bubble gums.Its said if you have gums while going on hills it clears your ear blockages. I started feeling bit better now.The driver stopped at a lovely, clean place and we had hot momos with hot and red garlic, chilli chutney or sauce.After eating the hot momos i was feeling much better.I strolled for a while and then proceeded with the journey.In between the journey we were greeted by small waterfalls. I got down and took many pictures. We continued with the journey as my husband's friend was waiting for us .We arrived at a big villa and were greeted by aloke's family and aloke.His mother kissed me and blessed me.She said that I was very cute.They asked us to freshen up and come for lunch.We were taken to a guest house and it overlooked a valley.The guest house was just behind the villa and it was huge.As i entered the guest house i saw a huge and beautiful room.It was almost like a hotel suite room with a separate living room.There were huge windows with large glass panes and guess what i could see the snow capped Mount Everest from there.The view was just mindblowing. A door lead to a balcony where there was proper coffee table and chair arrangements to enjoy the view.I took a hot bath and wore my pink gotta Patti lehenga.I put on makeup, wore a light real gold jewellery and wore pink and golden bangles.I also put on my pink heels bought from kalimpong 5 years ago.My husband wore a black kurta with his usual Jeans.Aloke was looking good in his attire.All his cousin sisters were appreciating my look.They were telling me ,hey! you look no less than the bride.I was feeling happy and embarrassed at the same time.The whole villa was decorated with orange and yellow flowers.People were eating, having fun,teasing aloke.We were introduced to almost every one.Outside in the garden there was a huge layout of food in buffet system.I was not yet hungry so I went to help aloke's mother in some rituals she was doing.It was 3 p.m now and my husband called me to eat some lunch.I ate a little and went to the guestroom for some rest.My husband and aloke went out for a ride on his jeep.Aloke yelled bhabi! you seem tired ,we will take you out in the evening.Till then you take some good sleep.

I just crashed down on the soft mattress and took over me a velvet blanket and slept like sleeping beauty.I woke up by a loud knock.It was Aloke's mother.She came to invite me to look at the gifts that she was going to send the bride including the gold jewellery. I took a shawl and went with her to their house.The gifts were really nice and the jewellery was exquisite.Aloke's mother was very excited to welcome the new bride.She was telling me all about her would be daughter in law.Her daughter in law was a school teacher.Aloke's cousin was serving darjeeling tea and I took the tea and started sipping on it.Aunty was now asking me about aloke and my husband's whereabouts.It had been long since they went for a ride.Aunty was saying that it's very inauspicious for the bride and groom to roam about before the wedding commences.Just then we heard the horns blaring. Aloke and my husband were back.Aunty told me to go and change as there was some musical programme at night.She asked me to show her my moves at night.I came back to the guest house and started changing for the musical night event.I thought of wearing my dark green and golden salwar kameez with golden duppatta.I wore my green and white pearls long danglers.I took out my pink bangles and kept the golden bangles.I wore a flat golden and white sandal because heels gave me pain in my waist area.The garden of the villa was now turned into a small amphitheater. A stage was built and some local musicians were singing and playing music.People were dancing and enjoying themselves. The whole villa and garden area was decorated with lights. Snacks and drink counters were there.Children were playing around and it was a happy happy atmosphere every where.My mind was getting refreshed in that weather and place.I thanked aloke to invite us over.Aloke said it was all his pleasure. Everyone was decked up in wedding fineries.Now the women of the family started to dance and they held my hand and made me dance .It was a fun evening. After 10 o clock everything started to wrap up.In hills people usually don't stay up late as they get up early in the morning. We also had our dinner and crashed on our bed.It was a long day.Next morning we heard a soft knock on our door.A helper came with a tray of teapot and cookies. We asked him to serve our chai in the balcony.We had tea looking at the beautiful mountain view.The sun had touched the mountain and the white snow turned golden. The view was just amazing. It was around 8 o clock so the cold was bearable.Early mornings and late nights are just unbearable. Its freezing cold in the hills during these two times but it all depends. Hills are unpredictable. After taking a shower we went to have our breakfast. It was a platter full of local delicacies. The villa was buzzing with aloke's relatives and their children. Kids were playing around and doing all kind of naughty stuffs.Aloke's mother was asking about my son now.There was a grand puja of their local diety so we all took blessings . The villa was full of guests and I wanted a breath of fresh air.I told my husband to show me around the local areas.Aloke was quick to give us a vehicle and we sneaked out.We were visiting the local monasteries and nearby local sights.Around lunch time we entered the villa.Aloke's father saw us and called us to come and have lunch.We had lunch with the family and everyone was telling stories about the history of the villa.The villa dated back to the british time it seems and a british officer had built it.Aloke's great grandfather had later purchased the villa and renovated it in local style. People were at their happy best.I had grown used to the warmth of their family. I was feeling a part of their family by now.I was feeling as if my husband and aloke are brothers. I was slowly getting emotionally attached with them.After the heavy lunch I retired to take rest in the guest room while my husband wanted to stay over in the villa to play cards with the family. I needed my rest so I went to the guest room and slept.I woke up in the evening and put on a Jeans, top and a jacket and went out of the villa gate for a walk.My tummy was feeling bloated because of the heavy lunch and I wanted to ease it up.I saw some local children playing basketball and I started playing with them.I lost track of the time as I just love the game.It was getting dark.I somehow unwillingly stopped the game and promised the children to come back with chocolates the next evening. I ran towards the villa now so that no one could catch on my adventure. Aloke saw me and said bhabi go get ready for tonight's function. Now the functions were taking a toll on me.I smiled back and went to the guest room.My husband was sitting there with a grumpy face.Where were you? he asked.I told him about my little adventure. It was obvious he was not very happy about it.He said it's not very safe outside the villa so please do not go out without taking me.His scolding me this way just put me off.My mood was just off.I somehow got ready for the event with bags of tears in my eyes.I do not like to be dominated or dictated.Im a free spirit. I went down and just sat in a quiet corner.I was feeling suffocated.I just took off my necklace and told my husband to put it in his pocket. He yelled at me ,why did you wear it in the first place if you had to remove it?" I said " my wish! I went in and tried some cocktails and snacks.The whole evening I avoided my husband and came to the guest house and started crying aloud.I was missing my baby.Those times there were no mobile phones to keep track.There was a land line in the guest house so I tried dialing the number. Thankfully an operator connected me to our house.My mother in law picked up and scolded me for not talking to her for so long.I asked for her forgiveness and told her that communication is a big problem in hills.There are no proper networks. I asked her to give the phone to my son.He called aloud momma! and I melted.He said in his gibberish words to come back.I told him we will come back soon.I went to the villa now had a bowl of soup and some salads.I came back without talking to my husband. I just slept off.Early morning I got up and was in no mood to talk to him.I freshened up and started to yell at him for not talking to his mom or our son for so long.He tried to coax me saying he was busy and promised me to take to a local booth .I said I don't require to go anywhere as I called them up last night from my room's landline. My husband got more angry and said that I shouldn't have called because outstation bill will be more and will be added to aloke's father's telephone bill.He said please don't call anymore from that phone.I huffed out from the room.I yelled back please book my tickets,enough of your restrictions! I quickly went and had my breakfast. I went out of the gates for a long walk. I was in the middle of the road with pine trees on both sides of the road.I was walking aimlessly on that empty road. I went inside the forest to watch beautiful birds hopping from one tree to another. The birds were so colourful and enchanting. I just got lost in the woods.I somehow managed my way out and while coming back to the villa I saw the same basket ball ground with kids.I bought some chocolates at the local shop and distributed it among the kids.They were so happy to receive the chocolates. It gave me immense pleasure to see them eat.They called me out didi! pls join for a game.I said no I have to rush back.They said we know you are the villa guest.We all will drop you to the gate.We will take you on our bicycle. Come on let's play.I couldn't refuse so I played with them for an hour or so.I rushed back to the villa to get ready for lunch.That afternoon I wore a simple pink punjabi suit made of cotton. My husband was already having lunch when I entered. He took me by my arms and asked about my whereabouts. I didn't answer him and just quietly had my lunch.Aloke came and sat by my side.He said bhabi just chill.You can call up your family anytime you want to.You don't have to be much formal. I thanked him for understanding. He knew by now about my adventures with the local kids.He winked at me and promised not to tell his friend about it.At around 3 o clock aloke called us to his room.We went and he took us out for a long drive.We went on for local sightseeing and saw some celebrities houses on the way.We had coffee and snacks on the way.I was still not talking much to my husband. Then aloke stopped by a big jewellery showroom.We went inside. Aloke was looking for some diamond finger rings for his bride to be and he wanted me to help him select.I took an hours time to select a ring for his bride.We finally finalised a bright and big solitaire. Aloke was courteous enough to ask if I wanted something. My husband was looking at me with enlarged eyes.I quickly said no though I was feeling like browsing some jewellery. It was already 8 o clock and we rushed back to the villa.At the dining table Uncle had some announcements to make. He said tomorrow sharp 9A.M we will start for the bride's home as we will get their engagement done and after two days their wedding will take place.Everyone was cheering and clapping by now.One of the relative got up and asked about the destination. "Kalimpong " said uncle.It felt like an electric current running down my whole body!