Unveiling the Veiled

He suddenly felt a tight grip on his elbow. Vinod turned to see that it was Gruvy. "Vinod, look!" 

Vinod's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights. He was unable to comprehend the scene. Time stood still."Oh hell," he swore. Gruvy gently pushed Vinod forward.

The previous afternoon, Vinod sat astride the cane chair. His eyes were a vacant blur, fixed on the blue Bhutan mountains in the distance. Taking a long drag from his cigarette, he let the smoke dribble slowly from his nose and mouth. His hands flicked the spent ashes into the ashtray placed on the wooden table of the veranda of bungalow no.17. He had just finished a sumptuous lunch. He missed his friend Gruvy, with whom he had shared the bungalow since October 1986, for about a year before Gruvy got transferred to Chalouni. Vinod considered himself senior to Gruvy by a few months. "Oh, how I wish I had some company," he thought. Nevertheless, he was happy to do his paala of Durga Puja chhutties for the first two days.

Bungalow no. 17, Jiti Tea Garden, Photo courtesy: Mr. Parminder Singh Bhoi

Just then, he saw a white vehicle approaching the verandah. He was stunned to see Gruvy alight from the back of the Van. The scene was quite unbelievable, but Vinod managed to regain his composure and welcomed the couple, Zafar and Sabina, who had driven all the way from Chalouni T.G., along with Gruvy, in their brand-new van. They enjoyed the tete-a-tete, sipping the autumn tea and munching on the cookies, when Zafar, the senior Assistant, came up with a plan. All four of them cruised along in the van towards Malbazar, a small town, a few kilometres away, leaving behind the fluorescent green tea bushes. Vinod and Gruvy were seated at the back. Once they reached Mal Bazar, the usually sleepy little town, it now had the vibe of Durga Puja. They came across a few Pandals where the idols of Goddess Durga stood distinctly in her fineries, exuding the strength and beauty she represents.

A Durga Puja Pandal

Zafar wanted to show Sabina the bigger and more happening town. So, it was decided that they would carry on towards Siliguri.  "Oh please, it's my paala to be holding the Jiti fort for the initial two days, and I haven't even informed my Burra saab," Vinod blabbered. "Oh come on," pleaded Gruvy, "We'll be back by evening." "Yes, we will drop you back to Jiti," added Zafar. Driving through the dusk amid verdant Sevoke hills on one side and the sepia green still water of the Teesta River on the other, they could feel the grip of the good new treads as Zafar shifted gears. As soon as they approached the town, they could feel their senses come alive with the bright lights. Siliguri was well-lit and awake with a pulsing heart, all geared up for the celebration of Durga Pooja.

But Vinod was caught off guard with a sudden turn of events when Zafar proclaimed, "Since we have come this far, let's drive up the hill to Darjeeling." Aghast, Vinod pleaded, "Please, please, let's not. Moreover, we are not appropriately dressed for the cold climate uphill." "Your inner critic is really loud today, Vinod," said Gruvy, wanting the adventure to continue. "I have to be on the property and haven't said a word to Burra saab," reinstated Vinod. One part of his brain was enjoying the road trip, but the other part was anxious about his Burra Saab's reaction.

(L to R) Mr. Vinod Madappa, Mr Vikas Gajmer, Late Mr. Gurvinder Singh Sodhi( Gruvy) and Late Mr. Sanjeev Duggal

The Van hugged the black curvaceous road, leaving behind the Siliguri town, bright fog lights illuminating the onward path uphill. Though the evening was waning, Zafar sped on, meandering through the thick pine trees on either side. The soft mist that nestled around the small hillock was a treat to their eyes. A gentle but nippy breeze swept through the vehicle, carrying the refreshing scent of the pine. Around 8:30 p.m., the Van came to a halt at the Darjeeling Planters Club. The view ahead was magnificent. The Kanchenjunga rose from the ground, standing proud and perkily against the inky sky. Zafar took Sabina to the popular Keventer's, while Vinod and Gruvy found a reasonable bar. The four of them agreed upon a time to meet near the car.

The aroma and taste of steaming chicken thukpa was a massage to their soul. All they wanted now was a couple of large pegs of drink to beat the cold and fatigue. The bartender said that since they were shutting down, all that he could offer them was the whole bottle of brandy. Sipping on the neat brandy in the cold, hilly weather felt like the greatest luxury after the long drive. They could feel the liquor warm them up as it went down their throat. After about an hour, they saw Zafar and Sabina right across the road, making their way towards the car. They, too, hurried towards the car.

The two boys were ready to head back home. But Zafar wanted Sabina to see the sunrise from Tiger Hills. Sabina had joined the Tea fraternity just a month ago after  getting married to Zafar on 31st August 1987. "It's just a matter of a few more hours," Zafar added. At that moment, Vinod could feel the uncomfortable tension rising from his core and working its way up to his head. "How will my Burra saab react if he comes to know that I am not on the property?" he stuttered. Gruvy consoled him, "We will keep this trip a secret." 

Mr. Zafar Ali and Mrs. Sabina Ali

The four of them waited at the car park of Tiger Hills. They could feel the frigid air wicking away their body heat faster than it could be replaced. Vinod and Gruvy made a fire out of the empty cigarette packets and a few papers strewn around. The night air was crisp and biting. Each breath of theirs was a plume of frosty vapour that lingered momentarily before vanishing into darkness. "Let us all sit in the Van to beat the cold," suggested Zafar, but Vinod and Gruvy wanted to give space to the newlyweds, so they decided to stay out. 

Chill seeped in through their thin jackets, biting across the exposed ears, nose and face. The air was filled with the earthy aroma of cold and wet soil, combining to create a haunting, yet beautiful stillness. Sipping the neat brandy, they felt serene yet isolated. All they could do was wait and wait. At times, they sat on the damp ground, feeling the moisture seeping into their jeans. They fought the urge to shiver. The truth hit them that as long as they kept moving, sipping on brandy and warming themselves by the small fire made by them, they would emerge winners. With heavy-lidded gaze and constant battle to stay awake, they prayed for dawn to arrive.

After what seemed like an eternity, they heard the swish of the tyres and noticed the elongated shadows cast by the headlights of many cabs driving uphill with tourists. Nature had begun to stir. Zafar and Sabina too stepped out of the warm comfort of the car and felt the cold air hit them. The horizon had begun to lighten, caressing the land and igniting the birds into a chorus of melodies.

Vinod suddenly felt a tight grip on his elbow. He turned to see that it was Gruvy. "Vinod, look!" Vinod's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights. He was unable to comprehend the scene. Time stood still. "Oh hell! "he swore. Gruvy gently pushed him forward. "Goo..good... good morning, Sir," stammered Vinod, wishing his Burra saab, Mr. Asim Barua. Everything about Asim Barua was soft and understated as he greeted all four of them warmly. "Vinooood - How come here?"

"We have come to see the sunrise, Sir," answered Vinod.

"Great! Shyomolee and our guests are here to see the magical sunrise as well," said Asim, introducing his companions.

A recent photo of Mr. Asim Barua and Mrs. Shyamoli Barua

They all stood at the topmost deck of the viewpoint. The night was receding. The sky transitioned through a spectrum of colours. The sun approached the horizon, and the sky lit up in vibrant hues of fiery oranges and yellows, mixing with the cooler shades of early morning. The snow-peaked mountains caught the first rays of the sun and reflected these colours, creating a stunning visual display. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for each one of them.

View of the sunrise from Tiger Hills, Darjeeling

All four of them thanked Asim for the cups of tea he bought for them and bid goodbye. They were all back at the base. Vinod resumed his kaamjaari after four days of adventurous and enjoyable Puja chhutties. Days passed under the shadow of an imagined rebuke, yet the storm feared from his Burra Saab never broke.

Mr. Vinod Madappa

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Glossary:

Paala - Work shift

Chhuttis - Holiday

Burra saab - Manager

Thukpa - A dish of soupy noodles native to the hilly regions

Kaamjaari- To carry out the operations of the day