The Lost Thread

A Simple Affair

Back in Time

Maya was wearing the jewelry she had bought from the shop that night. Dinner was a simple affair in these parts, but the ambiance made it look like a  party. The cold and chill made a crowded dining hall the best place to be. Maya's friends and the trekking group had formed tiny groups and were scattered all around the room. 

The room itself was decorated beautifully with rugs and colorful benches. The food was being served on the small tables kept in front of the benches. Some people were standing and some were sitting down. Maya carefully avoided going anywhere Dipak was sitting and tried to find a quiet corner. Suddenly her path was blocked by the smiling figure of Krish. 

'Are you looking for a place to sit. Come sit with us'

It was difficult to ignore such a simple invitation. Maya went with him to the corner of the room and sat down beside another boy. He introduced himself as Dinesh. They started talking about general things, mostly concerning her experience in the near-by villages. It seemed the group was very curious about the life-style of the people around here. Maya felt that under the rich clothes, these were genuinely nice people.

The conversation was flowing easily around the room, when suddenly there was a hush. Dhruv had entered the room and everyone had turned around to take notice. He did seem to have that effect on most people. Dhruv cast a cold look over the group and the conversation resumed again. Only Krish seemed unaffected. 

'Hey Dhruv, come and join us'

Dhruv was about to refuse when he spotted Maya. Before he knew his steps took him right across the room to accept the seat opposite Maya. Dhruv took in Maya's get up and gave a slight nod in greeting. 

Krish passed him the casserole for chapatti and asked,

'Where have you been this morning? I was looking for you?'

Dhruv ignored the question and anwered with a simple 'why?'

'There was a call for you from Mumbai. Some girl called Divya, or Diva, can't make it out properly due to the line being so horrible. She said she was your girlfriend'

Maya sucked in a quick breath and continued with the food.

Dhruv looked directly at Krish and said.

'Don't bother passing me a calls or messages from anyone back home. My family has strict instructions not the contact me and the rest are not important. '

Krish smiled at Dhruv's obvious displeasure. The girl was very annoying and he had a very hard time talking to her. He said with a hint of warning.

'It would be great if no one used my satellite phone number for personal calls. I have kept it only for emergency.'

Dhruv gave him a hard look and nodded. He did not know how that stupid Divya had got his number but he is going to find out and give her a piece of his mind. He looked at Maya but she was looking the other way. Not once during the meal, did she glance at him. 

After dinner Krish and Maya were walking back together. 

'We are going to start the day after tomorrow. I was wondering if you would like to go out with me, maybe show me a good viewing spot or something.'

Maya paused mid-stride. She thought Krish was a good guy and an outing with him should be a simple affair. But then her mind went back to Dhruv. What was she doing out with him today, a guy who is a complete stranger, with a girlfriend back home?

She asked Krish,'Do you have a girlfriend?'

Krish looked alarmed at the idea.

'Good lord no! But be warned, I am looking for one. But tomorrow's outing is without any strings'

Maya appreciated his honesty. 

'Then it's fine. We can go to a waterfall nearby. It's not far, just 2 kilometers. If we leave early, we can be back by noon.'

'That's great! I will ask someone to pack some breakfast and coffee. Meet you at the gate tomorrow at 5:30 am. Goodnight'

'Goodnight'

As Maya walked into the room, she had a slight smile on her face. The smile did not go unnoticed by the silent spectator smoking in the  shadows.