Queen Of The Hills

Chapter II

LIFE GOES ON LIKE A DREAM

Simmy had never been happier in her life. She was in her beloved home place, amidst her friends and family, save one; her mother, Vinita, whom she had loved the most and who had so badly let her down. Her best friend, Jamie, had slayed some of the demons in her head, giving her peace, which had evaded her for so long. He had sealed his concern and love for her with one of the most reassuring kisses, a man could ever give to a woman. She was now her old ebullient self, light and fresh, like the mountain breeze, laden with the fragrance of the flora. They sat huddled together, their hands entwined, enjoying the bliss and solitude of the scenic place.

'If there was heaven, this was it, this was it,' screamed her heart with joy.

 After some time, which to both appeared like infinity, they got up to go. Arms in arms, they walked down the path, down to the hotel. 'How privileged she was to have a friend like Jamie!' thought Simmy. Perhaps knowing a person since childhood makes it easier to develop intimacy with that person. For there is no hurdle of unfamiliarity to surmount. Certainly the rule 'familiarity breeds contempt' does not apply here. A girl always wants to be sure about the man, she gets close to.

They reached the hotel and Simmy who was in some kind of stupor, felt like inviting Jamie inside and carry on with the romantic chapter they had started, taking it to its logical conclusion. But she checked herself. Now is not the time, she felt, Jamie may not like it. Therein lies the biggest flaw in friends becoming lovers. One always has to carefully watch one's every move. No one would want to lose one's friend by a tactlessly taken step. Perhaps! Jamie was only being a chivalrous friend, going out of his way to assuage her wounds. She would let him make the first move.

 After having a light dinner, ordering food from the nearby Kalsang Restaurant, she retired for the night. She was happy from within. All the things were now falling into place. The world now appeared to be a better place for her to live in. Old friendships, old memories were revisiting her and reviving the joys, they had given her earlier. Only one thorn lay deeply embedded in her flesh, giving her a nagging pain, time and again. This place also brought back memories of her mother and the great times they had spent here.

..................

RUSKY

The deep slumber of Simmy was broken abruptly by the ring of the doorbell early in the morning. She fumbled towards the door of her room. Standing at the door was a tall, well built and remarkably handsome Rusky, with a beaming Jamie, standing besides him.

'Oh God! Is that you, Rusky? My My! Look how you have grown?' shrieked Simmy.

Rusky responded by giving her a hard slap on her back, as he always did during school days, only this time it stung. The guy had an endearing smile too, to go with his looks.

'Hopefully no running after gals now, lover-boy! Seeing you, I think, they must be doing all the running. Hope you are not tongue tied now.' said Simmy bristling with pride at her handsome hunk of a friend and referring to Rusky's Teachers Room fiasco with Ms Suman. They never let go of an opportunity to rake up this incident.

'Given up on it. Takes too much time and effort. ' said Rusky.

'Oh Really! You have given up!' chimed Jamie and Simmy in unison. Rusky keeping himself away from girls was like keeping a child away from candies!

There were a lot of things to catch up on and after having tea, the three friends went out on a quick stroll leading to the Mall Road. The early morning breeze was cool and refreshing. The three friends settled down on a bench by the side of the road, overlooking the hills. The sight of Lal Tibba and Gun Hill and their carefree times spent together, made them nostalgic.