The Valley || ONC2023

Chapter 5

After a lip-smacking dinner, Raghav once again called the group's attention, "Hope The Dream Weavers and our beautiful host," he smiled brightly at the old native, "could make you fall in love with the flavors of The Valley."

Voices of agreement sprinted through the group and reached him, and he bowed graciously, receiving every one of them humbly.

"Now that the first of what this wondrous place has to offer is out of the way, I was wondering if we could play a small game."

Amrit opened her mouth to protest, but Preet, a tall woman with large, deep-set eyes, interrupted, "Beta-ji, we are too exhausted to play games."

Everyone except Bhairavi, who had not been able to enjoy the flavors of The Valley due to it having walnuts, agreed.

Taking a step forward, Bhairavi turned to her companions, "I think a game sounds great, gals. It's an opportunity to rid ourselves of a few calories, what say?"

"Mrs. Chopra," Raghav called, "I don't think the game I was about to suggest would help you with that."

"Oh!" Bhairavi's enthusiasm deflated like a pierced balloon.

"So," Their guide held his hand out to Golu, the driver, who handed him a bunch of sticks. Raghav turned his back towards the women, for a moment, before turning back to them with only their tips visible. "Some of you have come in pairs," He glanced at Bhairavi and Maithili and then at Amrit and her daughter, thirty-year-old Harpreet, "And some haven't. However, from what I have noticed, you have already picked someone. That someone, if that's who you want, can be your roommate for the entirety of our stay here in the valley."

"Such a cool idea," Maithili muttered under her breath. 'I wish I had a choice in the matter' went unsaid, lest her mother hears it and makes a mountain out of a molehill.

"I know right!" Bhairavi agreed, "Still, if I had to choose, I would choose you!" she chirped, watching the other women choose their roommates. She missed the discreet defeated sigh and exasperated eye roll Maithili directed at her.

"Are you ready, girls?" The tour guide enquired; making sure everyone had paired themself with their 'favorite person' or family, he called a representative from each pair. "Every stick has a number written on it. This corresponds to the huts you will be assigned."

The word 'huts' was repeated in hushed, apprehensive, surprised tones.

"Oh. Please, girls, don't judge a book by its cover. Take a look at them, and if you think they are below your expectations, Golu and myself will escort you to Jiddal Gaon and check you into a three-star hotel.

Unexpectedly, Maithili moved forward, "I like this place, and so does my mom. I would rather stay here than at a regular hotel. I came here to experience The Valley," reaching for the sticks, she asked, "May I?"

Raghav smiled and held out the sticks to her. For some reason, that was all the persuasion the women needed.

Twenty minutes later, everyone except Maithili and Bhairavi had settled into their huts; the dwellings were rustic and equipped with everything needed to make the women's stay comfortable.

"Raghav, where is our hut?" Maithili, who had been patiently waiting for their turn, demanded.

Tips of Raghav's ears turned scarlet, "So... " he drawled, then pulling out his torchlight, began walking away from the cluster of huts that was now sleeping three pairs of warm bodies. "First of all, thank you for the vote of confidence."

Maithili shrugged, looking over her shoulder at her mother, who had chosen to walk a few steps behind them. "No problem." Then side-eyeing the guide, she jested, "Are you planning to make us sleep under a tree?"