Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 5

Amira's POV

The plane touched down in Darjeeling early in the morning, and a gentle fog blanketed the landscape, giving everything an otherworldly quality. As the air hostess gently woke me from my restless slumber, I felt disoriented for a moment, unsure of where I was. Her kind voice brought me back to reality."Wake up, ma'am. We have reached our destination," she said."I'm sorry, I didn't realize we had arrived," I replied, my voice hoarse from the flight and the emotions swirling inside me."It's okay, ma'am. We've already taken out your bags. They're waiting for you at the front of the plane," she said with a soft smile."Thank you so much," I murmured, gathering my things and making my way off the plane. As I switched on my phone to text my mom that I had arrived safely, a part of me still couldn't believe this was really happening. Leaving Delhi behind for good, leaving everything I knew, felt like an impossible choice, but one I had no way of turning back from.I texted my mom and then made my way to the luggage cart, where I waited in the chilly morning air. The cold cut through me, sharp and unfamiliar. The airport was quiet, the fog outside hanging heavy, obscuring much of the landscape. I tried to remind myself that this was the beginning of something new, something I could shape. But my heart wasn't sure yet.Time seemed to stretch on as I waited. My thoughts drifted back to my family, to Yumna—who had been my rock, the one person who could always make me smile even in the darkest moments—and to Rhea, who had promised to call me every day, no matter the distance. Eventually, I saw a figure approaching. An older man, dressed in a simple uniform, walked towards me with a steady pace. He smiled warmly as he reached me."Are you Miss Amira Khan?" he asked."Yes, I am. Are you the one who's supposed to pick me up?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, hesitant in this new place."Yes, I'm so sorry for the delay, ma'am," the man said. "The fog is thick this morning, and the traffic was heavier than expected. We need to be very careful, especially with the weather conditions. Please, allow me to take your bags." He gestured to the several bags that I had carried with me. I handed them over, and with a brief nod, I followed him.He moved swiftly, his energy surprising for his age. Despite carrying all my luggage, he walked faster than I could keep up, his steps assured and quick, while I struggled to match his pace with just my single carry-on bag. We reached the car—a dark SUV parked under a small awning at the edge of the terminal. "I know it's a bit of a shock, but this is the level of service we provide here," he explained as I climbed into the backseat. "Your father made sure to get you the best. Best hostel, best treatment, and perhaps the best school." I nodded, the words washing over me but not fully sinking in. The reality of what I was facing hadn't fully hit until now. No matter how nice the place was, no matter how much my father had invested in making sure everything was perfect for me, it couldn't replace what I had left behind.The ride up to the hostel felt longer than it was. The fog wrapped around the car, blurring the edges of the world outside. As we drove through the winding roads, the landscape slowly began to reveal itself, like a painting slowly coming into focus. The rising sun cast a faint golden light across the hills, the fog thickening around the trees, giving the entire landscape a mysterious, almost magical look. Despite the beauty, I felt distant, disconnected from it all. Finally, we reached the hostel. The car navigated a narrow, winding road, pulling closer to a charming building nestled on the hillside. From the car window, I could see the outline of Bunker's Homestay through the mist—a warm, inviting structure with a cozy, wooden exterior that seemed to reach out to me, offering comfort that I didn't know if I could accept.The thick fog wrapped itself around the building, hiding parts of it as the world outside felt distant, cold, and muffled. Yet, through the mist, the place still managed to exude a sense of calm and peace that contrasted sharply with the storm inside me. I could see that Bunker's Homestay was beautiful, with tall pine trees surrounding the area, their branches gently swaying in the breeze. Soft yellow light filtered through the windows, inviting but not quite enough to warm the chill in my heart. The balcony, I imagined, offered a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, though today, the mountain peaks were hidden behind a thick curtain of clouds. Still, the idea of the view, of the beauty that lay just out of sight, was a reminder that there was more to this place than the fog, more to my life than the sadness that had settled in my chest.The car stopped, but I didn't move right away. My eyes stayed fixed on the building, on the beauty of this place that felt so far removed from everything I had known. I should have been excited. I should have felt something more than this hollow ache in my chest, but all I could do was stare, my mind unable to process the newness of it all. "Welcome to Bunker's Homestay," the man said, his voice breaking through my reverie. "This place is known for its warm hospitality, plush interiors, and gorgeous views. Your father made sure you had a private room, with a hall to yourself. The best, like he wanted." I nodded absently, barely hearing his words. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I quickly texted Rhea to let her know I had arrived safely. It was the only connection I still had to the world I knew. After switching off my phone, I stepped out of the car and followed the man inside. The interiors were even more impressive than I had imagined. Grand chandeliers bathed the reception area in soft, golden light, illuminating the intricate wooden details of the architecture. The space was expansive, elegant—more like a mansion than a hostel. The winding staircase spiraled up to the upper levels, and large windows showcased the misty morning views of the surrounding hills.It was beautiful, no doubt. But as I looked out over the view, the calm exterior of the building only seemed to amplify the turmoil inside me. This place, with all its beauty, felt like a world I wasn't sure I belonged in. It was everything my father had wanted for me, but it wasn't what I wanted—not really.I took a deep breath, forcing myself to step forward. This was it. This was where I was supposed to begin anew. But I couldn't shake the feeling that no matter how beautiful the place was, it could never fill the empty space I carried inside me.