Miss-Chief

The four sisters exuded an energy of perfect joy. Their chattering brought life to the compartment of the train. Two long braids hugged Pratima’s face, the eldest amongst the sisters. She was a confident young girl who was about to celebrate her fourteenth birthday in about three weeks’ time. Opposite them, their eldest brother, Piyush had a lost look about him. He had just woken up from a nap. He held the hand of his younger brother that was extended backwards as both of them sat gazing out of the window.

Pratima (Image Courtesy: Manjari Agnihotri)

There was a buzz of excitement as they were about to reach their destination. “Piyush!” called his father, “help me pack,” as he rolled one of the olive green holdalls. “Coming Pitaji,” he said and shoved in pillows and knick-knacks lying around and secured the other two holdalls with their leather belts, placing them next to the exit door.

The sisters too helped their mother to stuff the wicker baskets with all their snacks and water bottles that had been lying around. Pratima felt the cool breeze sweep over her face as she got down with her mother’s bag slung over her shoulder and swiftly hoisted her youngest sister from the train doorway. While the rest of the family and their luggage collected around, she saw the black letters reading “Pathankot” on a yellow board at a distance through the misty fog. A few Victorian lamps lit the platform that evening in February 1957. She trailed behind her father in an auto-pilot mode while soaking in the aura of the new place.

The family made themselves comfortable in the Army vehicle. They were prepared for the long drive – to Srinagar that lay ahead. The children dozed off as soon as the vehicle began to roll. By the time they were aware of their surroundings, the cold night had already turned to dawn. The golden sun rays peeked through the trees playing a game of hide-n-seek. Pratima nudged at her sisters and said, “look,” pointing towards the blossoms of pink and white almond and walnut trees. Though tired, the family was wonderstruck by the majestic mountainous landscape. Finally, upon reaching Badamibag Ordnance Depot, there was a sense of ease and they were happy to see the Orderly of their father who struck his heels together greeting, “Jai Hind Saab! Mein Khazaan Singh.”

Majestic mountainous landscape (Image Courtesy: Shikha Gadru)

The family began settling in the stone bungalow. The novelty of the culture and ambience kept the kids fascinated and curious. They would run barefoot on the floors covered with coir mats and sit around the bukhaari, pretending to heat themselves even when it was not burning. Noori – their aayah, often joined in on their games. They would tell her stories about their experiences in Allahabad COD Chivki, where they had been earlier. She in turn narrated the tales of her village – the stories about the capture of her brother by the Hari Palace guards, bear attacks on workers in their apple orchards and the Prince waiting to be the King. Abha, the 5-year old who was the youngest was fascinated the most by these stories. To the older five, they seemed far-fetched. They had strolled to the Adishankaracharya Temple often – atop the hillock that they could see from their bungalow. But they never ventured beyond it.

One of the Sundays, in the backyard of the bungalow, Saroj – the eleven-year-old and Sheela, a year younger, drew up squares with a stick on the mud and numbered them. Stones were easy to come by to play hopscotch. Bhaskar waited for his turn impatiently, while Piyush and Pratima were perched up on one of the trunks stacked in the garage, considering themselves too mature for this silly game. Piyush prided himself as a creator of fun. Interrupting the other siblings, he quipped, “there is no excitement in this game. Let us set out in pursuit of an adventure.” He added, “let’s all walk up to the temple. Then I will take you to the cave beyond the Hari Fort Palace. There are elves in the caves within the forests.” It was too tempting an offer to resist, not only for the 9-year old Bhaskar but for the others as well.

Donning their light cardigans, they made their way through the pathway that wove itself upon the rising hill. The sides of the paths were lined with apple and pear trees. Bhaskar asked, “do you think we will be able to touch the snow today?” amazed by the snow-capped mountains. “Let’s hurry to the temple first,” answered Pratima.

Adishankaracharya Temple (Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

The giggles of the sisters created ripples of mirth around the silent ambience of the Temple as they hopped up and down the steps. After spending some time there, Bhaskar said, “bhaiya, let’s go to the cave.”

They skipped along the woodland and crept deeper into the forest beyond the Hari Palace. The Chinar trees cast their long shadows. Twigs and dead leaves made a deafening crunch under their feet. They could hear a rhythmic beat as they walked further into the dense jungle. Pratima looked in admiration at the colourful woodpecker rocking back and forth. “Isn’t it exciting here?” asked Piyush proudly. “I want to see the cave!” demanded the younger brother.

Hari Fort atop the hillock (Image Courtesy: Shikha Gadru)

A shrill voice pierced the serene silence of their surroundings that froze them on the spot. They turned towards the sound to see Sheela, with her palms over her mouth and widened eyes following a dark brown, furry ball as it scuttled away. Pratima ran her fingers through the craggy surface of the bark feeling the velvety moss when her attention was drawn to the claw marks that told the tales of a predator hunting for grubs. Her breath quickened and she became aware of her heart pounding. Her instinct yelled at her to take flight. She could smell danger lurking around.

She whispered to Piyush, “bhaiya, we need to hurry out of here.” He gave her a blank stare. Pratima directed him towards the claw marks. His brain now processed the impact of her words. Abruptly, Pratima and Piyush grabbed the four younger ones and broke into a sprint. They were jerked out of the surreal moment and found themselves being dragged down the slope. Both Pratima and Piyush held on to either of Abha’s arms. She made an attempt to run as fast as they were but her toddler legs dangled up in the air time and again. She began to enjoy this game and would deliberately lift both her feet off the ground and swing them as the wind tickled her legs under her billowing frock.

Bhaskar clenching onto Piyush’s left arm asked, “bhaiya, are we going to the cave now?” On the other end of the sibling chain, Saroj asked, “jiji, why are we running?” Pratima glanced at Saroj and then behind them, still sprinting away. She answered, “it was a bear cub. Its mother isn’t far away.” With a look of disbelief, Saroj, Sheela and Bhaskar too, paced as fast as their legs could carry.

“Oh! It has got me!” wailed Sheela, feeling a warm moist snout on her leg. None of the six dared look back. Adrenaline taking control over their bodies, they continued at full speed, still holding each other’s arms as tightly as they could. “Run down the hill!” Pratima instructed. “Yes, their vision is poorer when the eyes are obstructed by its fur,” added Piyush with a nervous, authoritative air. The six of them ran for their lives, dodging past the trees and hopping over the boulders and bushes. When their legs could no longer carry them and their knees gave way they sat against a tree, cradled by its comforting roots thankful for a lungful of air. “Are you alright, Sheela?” asked Saroj. Sheela examined her legs and was thankful to find only a scratch on her right calf. A flutter a few metres away sparked their minds to run again.

(L to R) Top row: Capt. M.S. Pandey, Mrs. Hemlata Pandey, Piyush | Middle row: Pratima, Saroj, Sheela | Last row: Bhaskar, Abha, a snowy day in Srinagar (Image Courtesy: Saroj Pandey & Abha Agnihotri)

They looked around to see that the path they had taken on their way up to the forest had disappeared. “Have we lost our way?” wondered Piyush aloud. “That can’t be. Our home must be nearby,” Pratima said looking around. She stood at the mound and her eyes were drawn to the winding path down on the right. She stared at the narrow alley and that particular apple tree below which a disfigured wheelbarrow lay.

She exclaimed, “this way! This way!” The four of them rushed behind her exhausted and hungry. “Won’t we meet the elves?” asked Abha innocently. But before she could get an answer, they heard the deep-throated voice of Khazan Singh calling out to them. Overjoyed to see a familiar face, they pranced around him telling him all about the bear chase.

“Is that so?” he asked amused. He was well aware that one could not outrun a Himalayan bear, let alone a group of six kids. But he did not wish to burst their happy bubble. “Aren’t you all brave kids!” he applauded, giving a knowing look to the elder two. “But you all are very late for lunch. Amma must be annoyed.”

“But what could we do? We had gone in pursuit of an adventure but instead, adventure was in pursuit of us!” chuckled Pratima.

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Starring: Pratima Chaturvedi | Supporting stars: Piyush, Saroj, Sheela, Bhaskar & Abha

We fondly remember the vivacious charm of Pratima Chaturvedi, who had the wisdom of 77 years, and the charm and spirit of a young girl. She was a tremendous lady who wanted to know everything and everybody.

As told by her sisters, she was a born leader, always protective who lead them away from trouble and also into mischief. She still holds the title of "Miss Chief" from a higher plane, since 3rd July 2020.

The four sisters

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Glossary:

Bukhaari: Traditional heater used in Kashmir

Bhaiya: Elder brother

Jiji: Elder sister

Amma: Mother

Pitaji: Father

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