ONE BOOK DIFFERENT STORIES (ON HOLD)

SMALL INCIDENT.... BIG MEMORY

The Road to Lovers' Paradise

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"Lovers' Paradise-how does the name sound madam?" Karan teased his newly-wedded wife.
Monami blushed and he laughed, touching her lightly on her arm. She immediately withdrew,looking at him shyly. Shaking her head she indicated
the presence of the driver with her eyes. He laughed again.
Karan turned to look out of the window at the scenery. Shimla 7 km, the milestone read as the van
sped on. He had seen hoardings advertising Hotel Lovers' Paradise twice.

A commando in Indian army ,he and Monami had been married just two daysback. He had been given only seven days' leave for the wedding. The couple had been undecided between Shimla and Kullu for their honeymoon. Finally his mother had suggested Shimla. It was only a three hour journey, and as he had only four days, he could spend them leisurely. Also, Monami had never been to Shimla before.
Theirs had been an arranged marriage. During their eight-month engagement period they had communicated through WhatsApp. Monami was an introvert and it was only when the marriage date came
closer, did her texts become more forthcoming and affectionate.

"Is that Shimla?"' Monami asked excitedly. Karan turned and stared at the ridge and slopes that resembled a concrete jungle.

"Yes. It has changed a lot, it seems to have become very congested now", he said. "I never thought it would
become like this,"' he added.

"Neither did I.'"

"What do you mean," he said, turning to her.
"It's so different from what I had thought it would be. These slopes are covered by houses. I mean, there are some trees, but it is not like Dalhousie,"' she said.

"Have you been to Dalhousie?" he asked.

"Yes, with Papa, about two years ago after I finished my graduation," she said shyly.
"We have reached sir. Have you booked in some hotel?" the driver interrupted.

"Take us to LoverS Paradise," Karan said without thinking.
"The hotel is on a restricted road, taxis are not allowed. I will take you till Lady Reading Hospital from there its just a fifteen-minute walk the driver sald.
Karan nodded and then looked at his bride. She was busy combing her hair and tying it back in a knot at the nape of her neck.
"Oh, my God"' she suddenly screamed, cringing away fron the open window of the van.
"Don't worry, they are coolies, Kashmiri Khans", the driver said.

"But why are they running around the van? They will hurt themselves. What do they want?", she asked.
"Ignore them, they are looking for customers. If's always like this. This place is called Victory Tunnel:tourists from buses get down here and then the Khans take over, leading them to hotels. This is how they earn their livelihood," Karan explained, holding his
wife close.

"You have to be very careful of them sir, they also fleece tourists. There is a strong nexus between them, the transporters and hoteliers," warned the driver.

"Here we are. Lovers' Paradise is quite near, a small steep climb. You do not have much luggage, but if you need a coolie you will get one at the shop ahead." he added.

It took them more than iteern minutes to
the hotel. Lovers' Paradise was well marked: a bridle path set in a thick conifer lorest led to it.
Monami began to feel sick As soon as she started to climb the path. In the beginning she felt an acute tiredness, and then she started shivering involuntute
"Are you feeling cold?" Karan asked.
"I don't know, it's a very..Srange feeling," she said weakly. She had wanted to say eerie, but had checked herself.

The feeling passed when they reached the hotel. Both of them were relieved to get a room, and despite the dismal entrance, the hotel, with its big glas
windows, gave a panoramic view of Shimla and its surrounding peaks. Monami was delighted with the
posh deluxe room. The view from the window was superb, it made her feel as if they were on top of the world!