Cat Eye

chapter 6

Hastily I reached to the bus station chasing white fog in the darkest winter morning. Most of all were on time. Surprisingly bus seats were already packed. And also we knew that it moves after couple of hours we reached. We then one by one stepped out of it and had breakfast. I was so excited since Milannagar was my first ever show outside the city.

Bus started its way.It was filled by local people. It was not only the bus occupied by people sweepers, grains, buckets of rice, bundle of household goods had great space more than people. It climbed the hills of Nalche Gaun ( village). Outside the window a typical village scene erased the pressure of the compacked bus inside. Fields were bared. To long distance no houses and people were seen which sensed the peaceful chant in mind. Bus was moving on its own. Suddenly huge break erupted at the mid of the way. Almost whole dust slapped the front window of the bus. Instantly it looked miserable. All the passengers including our team stepped out. It was hopefully mid of the day and luckily it was winter that's why the mid day sun didn't harm us. Instead it accompanied us. Within half hours brother Amrit said, "girls and boys we should now pave the way. There is no logic on waiting this bus to be mended I actually called to sir too suggested me rather to walk". Boys forwarded their legs Banita, Pragya, Sabona and I was miserable in the situation we felt we have taken large steps on the way actually our feet were the slowest. Among ten people we were the last. Indeed Sabona was on the slippers her legs were swelling in few minutes of walk. Banita was relatively heavy on weight she secretly whispered on my ear, " my inner parts are itching a lot i guess I will suffer from allergy so soon". Pragya too was having the similar condition her unspoken face spoke everything. Boys started to find shortcut ways to the destiny. We too followed them. They were with heavy bags of costumes, make up for the night show. We followed them. They could see far from our eye sight. But Shumsher was with us beyond we four girls encouraging to take long steps and cracking jokes to support on our hardship of walk.

Hours fast. We sometimes yelling, sometimes in pin drop silent and sometimes sweating clearing the many of the rolling hills reached almost to the plain land near Milan nagar. Due to heavy walks friends were scattered according to their walk speed I could see Sabona ten to fifteen walks away than me likewise others nearer to me but most of them were separated but moving on their own.

Sky was blue then. So wide. Few white colour clouds were putting little bit of touch in its cheek. Sky was so beautiful as the most beautiful bride in the most peaceful zone. I had seen such sky in my childhood from my valley because those days city was not polluted as present. My brothers and I took hours to stare the clouds and excited to show the shape of it. "Look there is a horse, a bird, a fish." "No there is an eagle in the sky". We explained each other. I splashed shrink of water on my face after hours of walk in order to maintain the pace of tiredness. Shumsher too followed the same. " You know people look good on wet hairs", Shumsher said. I smiled. Both of us had wet hair.

Miles took but no destiny was there. Legs were aching, we were thirsty, tired starving on the same hand. Previously day was helping us but then darkness was slowly covering the landscape . Friends were not easily visible as in day.

About four to five bikes randomly flew asking are you artists from the valley? We hurriedly nodded. " We are here to receive and apologise for delay," one of the faces of bikers said. Alas! We could say in those pathos. One by one we sat on the bike. It might be the absent of teacher boys were more protective towards us. Because we were not left lone anywhere. In one bike three of us including rider self and any of the boys behind was sat in each bike. On my regard a rider I in middle and on my beyond Shumsher was. Roads were obviously off. I was forcefully attached to the rider front repeatedly due to the huddles. Shumsher was there to pull me and save not to lean on the rider. When he touched me I went to different world. I really was so pleased on his protection. Sometimes knowingly I attached to the man front so that I could drag his attention. He in each time pulled me backward. I was keenly so blissed at the moment.

Finally we reached to the destiny. Crowd was high welcoming us and expecting we will entertain them. After few sips of tea and light snacks we hurriedly got ready and performed without showing single pain on our foots, walks, journey. Show got finished everyone caught us and our performance in their heart. Because aftermath of our performance youngsters were singing the songs specifically children were around us staring us, following us, watching our activities. They were so lovely. Old people were having interaction saying we really danced well and they were eagerly waiting us for hours. We smiled.

I was ongoing memory of Shumsher for months after that show. But Shumsher lost and heard from someone else he was married to his beloved one. My question to him was If he was already with someone else why he took my time and feelings long way. He could easily say that I don't have any interest on you. Those cat eyes betrayed my mousy emotions and killed it.