The little toddler bounced in the high chair as if dancing to music. Her head and arms went up and down as the Ayah didi fed her dinner. Finally the bowl was empty and with her tiny palms Puja clasped the bowl, banging and clanging it against the table while squealing di... di… The crumbs made a trail all the way down from her bib to the carpet of the khaana kamra of Leesh River Burra Bungalow.
“Dekho, Shikha baby is a good girl! , she has not scattered any food,” reprimanded the Ayah lovingly. She lead the two sisters to the Gol kamra where their parents sat with their hosts Shashi and Sagar. “Hope you both have eaten well,” said Shashi. “Tomorrow Uncle Sagar will drive you around the garden to spot some rabbits.” Their eyes filled with wonderment and they looked at Sagar intently.
“Yes, of course,” said Sagar. “ We have been driving almost every evening to spot some leopards but all we see are rabbits who are out to forage and play. At the slightest of noise, they are up upon their hind legs, their beady eyes staring in all directions,” said Sagar, imitating the rabbits. He now had the undivided attention of the children. Puja was amused which could be seen in her smiling eyes and dimpled cheeks. “Uncle, we want to see the rabbits,” said Shikha. “Sure, we will do that tomorrow evening. Now off to bed you both.” The girls wished everyone a good night and their parents cuddled them planting warm kisses on their forehead.
The next day, after watching the exciting game of 5-a-side football and enjoying sumptuous lunch at Chalsa Polo Club, Shikha and Puja were still bursting with energy. They pranced, bounced and shrieked in the Willy's jeep which steadily made its way towards Leesh River T.E. “Ra-bit… Rabbit…” stammered Puja pointing towards something brown under the tea bushes. “That’s not a rabbit,” said Shikha playing the role of a 5-year elder sister perfectly. “I will keep my promise, girls and show you the rabbits before you return home to Dumchipara tomorrow ” said Sagar.
After dropping the ladies back to the bungalow, Sagar, Vinod and his daughters set out to spot the rabbits. The dusk came sooner than expected and the daylight was dwindling. The last of the Sun’s rays cosseted behind soft grey clouds and it began drizzling. Sagar parked the jeep under a tree, “shh… quiet bachchas,” hushed their father with his finger on his lips. They froze as there was a movement in the shadows. They could hear the rustling in the tea bushes. It could be leopards or even mammoth elephants, whispered Sagar.
"Was our decision to bring the kids along right?" Sagar questioned as he reversed the vehicle adjusting the headlights, deeply inhaling the sweet rain scented air. The minutes passed by and what was evening was rapidly turning to night. Both the men were thankful for each other’s company. They spoke in hushed tones, all the while aware of their surroundings hoping to catch a glimpse of some wildlife.
They sat through the deafening silence and then without a warning, a rabbit darted from the bushes with its tail bobbing and within a fraction of second it was gone. “Did you see that?” exclaimed Vinod, craning his neck back, only to find that the kids had dozed off! The men stared at each other, almost laughing, glad that the rustling was only the rabbits. They could hear the playful sound of the dancing rain drops upon the bonnet of the jeep as they headed back.
The pathway leading from the tea estate towards the Burra Bungalow had turned from dusty brown to deep mahogany. Lights streamed from the sodium vapour lamp posts of the bungalow. The water and light together produced sparkling golden figurines. The vehicle came to a screeching halt in the porch. Shikha was now up, trying to make sense of her surroundings. “Are we back?” she asked tracing the condensed water droplets on the window of the vehicle.
But Vinod excitedly shushed his daughters, pointing towards the lawn. The sight that met their eyes seemed, as if it was right out of a dream. There stood a magnificent large leopard. It slowly moved towards the lawn. The tawny yellow creature lay in the lawn whilst they watched with wide eyes and bated breath. And as luck would have it – another smaller leopard appeared and walked straight and nuzzled the larger leopard.
“Look, leopard and it's baby” Vinod excitedly said as they watched in awe. The leopards pranced and played but sensing some movement and noises were on their guard. They began to slink towards the main gate of the bungalow. And lo and behold, they leaped forward over the gate which was almost about 10 feet high and vanished into the tea bushes blending into the darkness.
Vinod and Sagar shared a knowing glance and knew that they had witnessed a precious glimpse of nature. They took a moment to soak it in and then turned to the kids. “Did you see the leopards?” Vinod asked excitedly. The girls nodded. “We did, yes papa, we did!”
The peace and the tranquility of the ambience was shattered now by the kids running towards the Jaali kamra, where their mother Neena sat with Shashi, screaming with delight "Mumma... Mumma... Leopard... Leopard" as they hugged their mother. Shikha innocently mumbled, "but Uncle has yet to show us the cute rabbits." Whilst Puja blabbered, "Bun..ny Bun..ny rabbit," with her hands forming bunny ears on her head.
Mrs and Mr Vinod Gupta, Puja and Shikha
Glossary:
Khaana Kamra - Dining room,
Dekho - Look,
Gol Kamra - Drawing room,
Bachchas - Kids