April 2021 – Questy Musings

Chattisghar, hamara ghar

Kamal told Kapila and Ashwin to head to Chattisghar. The duo were not sure why should they be visiting the state filled with Flora and Fauna to look for Rushali and Mahi. Still they went ahead, if the signal has been provided by Mahi, then it is believable.

The drive from Bareilly took a toll on Ashwin, and Kapila was behind the wheels. The 20 hour journey was taxing, Ashwin slept on the rear seat of the Mahindra Scorpio, but was woken up by a loud break sound. It is time. Could you wake up or else I am going to go to sleep! muttered Kapila after the 4 hour drive. Ashwin immediately got up, washed his face and resumed. Kapila, great you have crossed the border and now we are closer to Ruhi.

Chattisghar and its wildlife santuries made the drive even more lonely and dificult, but the air, far away from the urban pollution, Durg, Chattisghar offered a breather.

Rushali was working on the audit of the XXX bank, when she noticed the flow not smooth. She tried looking up and questioning the documents, slips and vouchers, but in vain. Mahi was informed two days later after the discovery of a couple of thousands unaccounted for. He was quiet calmer than expected. “I know” he said, “there are some more unaccounted vouchers dropped in here and there. I was waiting to hear from you.”

“How could someone be so smart?” Rushali thought. And at the same time, she told Mahi “So let’s start the procedure!” to which he reacted “Not now”

Kapila finally found the signboard that said “Ruhi” 30kms. Overjoyed, she clicked a picture of the signboard, and marked it on Google maps.

Finally they reached the village of Ruhi, they had to wait at the post office for rushali to arrive

This post is written as a part of Blogchatter A2Z

http://www.theblogchatter.com

Disclaimer: This is a work of art and is completely fictional. Any resemblance is completely co-incidental.

Ruhi

Bareilly, incomplete stories !

Kapila and Ashwin taking the road to Bareilly early next morning, their car sweeping the wind along with it, just not slowing down till 10 a.m on a Sunday. It was September when the sun is not as trail-blazing as it is usually in May.

When they slowed down to look for “the place suggested by Mahi” for breakfast, they reached right in front of “Hamara Bhojanalaya.” The vibrant entrance, the hustle and bustle between the servers and the clients immediately felt it was the best place for breakfast and they picked a table for two that had an extra chair. Ashwin looked around eagerly and spotted Kamal, who at the same time walked towards them. Kapila didn’t make it too obvious, she ordered a Gobi ka paratha with boondi ka raita, and some coffee. You can’t take the coffee from her menu, never. Ashwin, puri sabzi and lassi, of course, who wants to miss the lassi here!

With all the sumptuous food, the purpose was not forgotten, they were here for Ruhi. The clue provided by the grapes vendor’s son led them right here. Indeed the newspaper wrapped grapes had Kamal’s pic on it. Hamara Bhojanlaya was Mahi’s special spot, he loved the food here, the bhojanalaya being right in the heart of the city attracted tourists and the locals. The Panchala region has it mystic appearance and everything and everyone around here is waiting to be heard. They have stories to tell, but who has the time?

Kamal promised to meet them at 3 p.m during the lull period for a quiet chat at the chai stop, far away from Hamara Bhojalaya, he didn’t want to be seen around with new people, of course. Ashwin, packed two parathas for lunch and set off towards their destination, the chai stop, not before visiting Mahi’s school. Kapila and Ashwin sat in the car, gazing at the playground, when the dong-dong brought in a score of enthusiastic running children on the deserted playground. They quietly had their parathas with pickle and set out to the chai stop. Kamal was there, waiting for them. The minute he saw them, he ran, hugged Ashwin, muttering “kaise kare, kaise kare ?” (how do we do it ?”)

Kapila sat next to them, and waited for Kamal to calm down. Chai pehele! (Tea first!) Ashwin sipped his cup and asked Kamal “How is Shipla?”

Kamala said that she is better now. Kapila told him that they may not have time to meet her but will do so on their way back. He looked at Kapila and said to come and meet her “kaam hone ke baad” (after finishing the work”). This gave Kapila the strength to ask him what happened?

Kamal narrated the incident without batting an eyelid, he said they traveled many districts and cites, then reached a conclusion and now it is time that everything is out in the open, to which Ashwin reponded “Haan! Yeh zaroori hai” (yes, this is important).

Kamal began talking about the next destination, and was about the mention the fouth spot, when suddenly Hashim Da appeared and ordered for elaichi wali chai (cardamom tea). Kamal sneaked through the corner of the chai stop and waved away to Ashwin and Kapila.

This post is written as a part of Blogchatter A2Z

http://www.theblogchatter.com

Disclaimer: This is a work of art and is completely fictional. Any resemblance is completely co-incidental.

Agra, it is!

Kapila and Ashwin sat on the banks of the river, casually looking around through their Ray-Bans, they hadn’t clicked any pics yet, the travel bug hasn’t bit them as yet or was it something else ? The heat, the journey, the food. For the Gen Z, you know something isn’t the usual if they aren’t on their phones or DSLRs, right?

They had arrived here last evening, stayed at Shandaar, the hotel with a view to the Taj, the iconic beauty. This was their first time here, all the way up the map of India, neither of them had visited Agra during their childhood, only read and studied about it. A dream come true visiting the wonder of the world together is no less than an achievement for both the financial experts. So what was keeping them preoccupied?

Kapila, the incessant chatterbox was mesmerised by the beauty of the Taj, said “We must come here more often, it is beautiful!

Ashwin, gazing far beyond, nodded “Yes”. The river and the beings around the sacred beauty didn’t impress him anymore. He was looking way beyond the horizon. He eyes searching for something immeasurable. His soul, not here but with his thoughts.

Then again, the silence and the incomprehensible vibes between them occupied the happy space they earlier shared. Back at college, the four of them, including Rushali and Mahi juggled between laughing, commenting and eating. Life has its ways, but one was absolutely sure that these four could defend and face life. That’s life! It takes you where are bound to be, but never lets you know even for an iota of a second, how!

Their tickets were booked a month ago, and they were looking forward to their travels together whether the like it or not, but they have to do it, for Ruhi (Rushali and Mahi).

As the evening set in, Kapila felt more comfortable with the place, she took off her shades and experienced an enhanced vision. She saw the flower sellers, the fruit vendors, wondered why are they here and not in her hometown, why were they born here, why do they sell flowers, can’t they be bankers… Her questioning phase came to an end with the startled look on Ashwin’s face when a small boy came running towards them persuading them to buy some fruits. Ashwin bought half a kilo of grapes and took a selfie with the lad. Kapila, relieved looking at Ashwin’s smile for the selfie, didn’t bother about the poker face he got back to immediately thereafter. “This was the trick Mahi told me about.”

This post is written as a part of Blogchatter A2Z

http://www.theblogchatter.com

Disclaimer: This is a work of art and is completely fictional. Any resemblance is completely co-incidental.