The Heart Lies...

Chapter-11

The angry roar of clouds gradually subsided. It coalesced into nothingness. Morning rays were streaming into the tent. Koyal rubbed sleep off her eyes. That was a good sleep. Strange how soothing the storm sounded. Yaa..it made me feel cocooned ..and safe. Koyal peeked from her blanket to look for Mila. She still seemed sound asleep. I don't think she is going to be any more cheerful in the morning. It would be better to leave now. She sneaked out of the tent. Some people were already up and busy folding their tents. I guess we will be leaving now. She decided to explore around a bit to kill time. This was afterall a trip though an inadvertent one. She walked away from the tents towards the trees where silence reigned. The mud was all mushy and the stones slippery. The earth held the smell of the rain in its bowels. She took a deep breath and exhaled it with a smile. Occasionally, a wind would woosh through the trees, the leaves cackling in displeasure. This is perfection at its best. She was drinking it all in when suddenly her legs came to a halt. Through the clearing in the trees she could see someone sitting on a rock with a guitar. With trepid steps she went closer. She realized it was Dhiraj. Why do I keep running into him? He was lightly strumming his guitar and singing a song, a melancholy song. A song so pure in its rendition that it seemed to reverberate with something inside her. He would stop occasionally, jot down something in a small notebook and again repeat the same four lines. But no matter how much he repeated it, she found it touching each time. No matter how appalling he might seem he sure knows his music well. Are you joking Koyal? He is a genious, man. Oh come on, he is not that special. Hmmm...
Seemingly satisfied from his work his eyebrows which were crunched up in thought straightened out and calmness descended upon his features. He packed up his guitar with reverence and love and got upto leave. She quickly hid herself behind a tree. Aaand..he is coming right towards this tree. What a choice Koyal darling. She was bracing herself for a confrontation but he simply walked past her without noticing. He was lost in contention. And somewhere the disdain for a reckless, boorish guy was replaced with some respect. She traced her steps back to the camp but this time she wasn't enjoying the sites surrounding her, rather she was lost in his song.
From afar she spotted Om and began walking towards him. On seeing her he flashed a smile. "Do you always look this lost or is it this place?", he chuckled. She flushed red with embarrassment. "Hey, just joking. No offence." "None taken. After all, you are my saviour", she smiled. "Haha, hey I forgot to ask your name yesterday" "I am Koyal" "Pleasure to meet you Koyal. I'm Om" "Yaa, I caught that yesterday. I was actually thinking that that is quite an Indian name for..you know.." "Yeah, I get that a lot. It's just that..." "Machan, can you do a final number check on the instruments?", he was interrupted by a tall, dark guy. "Yaa, Marco, coming." "Koyal, these boys just can't seem to get anything right without me." "Yaa, we let him think that", the tall guy interrupts. Koyal and Om break out into a laughter. "On a serious note, Koyal, you should get into the bus now. You can wander around once we reach the valley ok?", Om says. "Haha, ok, I'm not as lost a person as you think I am." "I didn't..." "I know, I know, you are the good guy, hehe. I'm going to the bus, sir!", she gave him a mock salute and began walking to the bus. He shaked his head amused. He has a point you know. You really have become a lost chick. Haha. Shut up!
Since, she was one of the first ones to arrive, this time she could secure a window seat below. Gradually, the bus got filled. She payed close attention to the people filing in. As she had noticed earlier, there seemed to be all sorts of people going to the Fest. It really seemed to be a big deal. Finally, the bus was all full except for the seat beside her. Next came in Dhiraj. Seriously, God, what is it with these coincidences. But when Dhiraj noticed that the seat next to hers was the last one, he began to retreat. "I won't bite, you know", Koyal blurted out before she could control herself. "I know, but the last time I sat next to you it seemed like I had bitten you," he joked and sat beside her. Koyal sank lower into her seat hoping that no one had noticed their altercation.