Non-erotic The Scarface I Hated by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Soon we reached the hotel and as we entered the compound, a caretaker rushed forward to welcome us. The hotel was perched on top of a hill with a large garden in front overlooking the valley. The double storeyed building had a quaint look typical of the British style with a porch and dense creepers climbing the frontage. A wide verandah surrounded the building. A large staircase climbed up from the foyer splitting into two. Our room was on the first floor with a terrace on the front. It was beautiful complete with a fireplace, sofa set, a glass topped table and a set of cane chairs on the terrace. And a Dunlop bed large enough for four. Kiana seemed to have booked the best for us. Had she left it to us, we would have avoided the luxury. Waste of money, indeed.

By the time we unpacked, the tea was ready and the cook had arrived to ask our preferences for lunch. He humbly suggested that people of importance (like us) preferred rice and chicken stew. He went on to explain as to how the British Sahebs would make this gruesome journey only to enjoy the sunrise and the chicken stew prepared by his erstwhile father about 40 years back. He did not fail to mention the fact that during those days tigers and leopards would frequently be seen inside the premises from the adjoining "Betla" reserve.

Seeing my worried look, he quickly added that there was no such danger, nowadays.

Imran, as advised by Manirul mian (the cook) ordered our lunch accordingly, who informed us that anticipating the order the said food was ready and if the 'badasahib and memsahib' (us!!) desired, the same could be served without delay.

The credit for our elevation in our status surely went to the room booked and the personal car.

The food was just too good. To be frank, it was the first time that I was having chicken stew though Imran appeared to be familiar with it. Manirul mian remained in personal attendance throughout the meal. His sincere requests for us to eat a little more made Imran gorge in such a way that I was trifle worried. Overall, it was a unique experience.

The autumn was approaching and the forests below us were assuming a colour of the fire. The afternoon sun though strong was slowly losing its scorching capacity. The evenings were comfortable, I was told. We sat on the chairs laid out in the garden under a garden umbrella. It was an ideal place to relax. The time was frozen here. There was no anxiety, no fear. We had no trains to catch. A dragonfly started to fly around me. The warmth, the excellent meal and the tiredness pulled me into the lap of sleep. When I dozed off, I never knew

How long did I sleep? Who cared really? I was on a honeymoon and I had someone to take care of everything. Why would I bother? The warm wind blowing in brought sweet intoxicating fragrance of mahua dragging me deeper into a drunken stupor. And, then? Someone was holding me, caressing my hair, my lips, my entire being. I could lie there till eternity.