Adultery The Possession

[Henry]

The next morning the four of them left for Sandakphu trekking. Tunglu is a small village. Only a few houses look alike. Almost all of them have accommodation for tourists. Uphill and downhill roads on both sides of the mountain. The people are basically the residents of this village, who themselves are the owners and employees of the hotel. As the day progressed, the area was covered with fog and clouds. As if the sky came down to the ground. A row of clouds started moving from side to side in the extreme cold.
The guide Raju Sherpa is a thin young man. Age nearly may be twenty-two or twenty-three. He is Very shy, also friendly too. Soma brought along noodles, boiled eggs, hot water in flux and tea. They ate in Tunglu.
Raju said---Sabji don't be late. It's getting cold already, and we have to come back before evening.
Subir took the cup of tea from Soma's hand and said---Yes, we should return proper timely. Is it possible to stay in this jungle after the evening?
Raju said---You are right Sabji. Moreover, the Gorkhas have called a strike today. Everything will be closed from afternoon onwards. Strike for 24 hours. Today 12 noon to tomorrow 12 noon.
Soma was worried and said---we are supposed to return tomorrow afternoon. How to return?
Subir said--He says strike is till 12 noon tomorrow. We will return later.
Although Subir is also worried. He knows that Gorkhas strike are very aggressive in the mountains. Of course, Raju said--Sabji. There is not much problem in Kalipokhri, Tunglu or Manebhanjan. Problems happens in Darjeeling, Kalimpong etc.

From Tunglu, they started their journey along the uphill road. The last village is Kalpokhri. Their two sons are moving easily along the mountain road. Subir and Soma are having trouble walking with them. So they are walking a little behind. When the two boys went too far, Soma stopped them with a grunt.
They realize that middle age is changing their lives. At the beginning of their marriage, they too could easily go up such a mountain road. Subir and Soma went to Dehradun on their honeymoon. Being employed by ONGC, Subir also had many accommodation facilities, as it was their main office. In the hilly areas of Uttarakhand, they roamed easily as they wished. Times have changed now. Subir is forty-six now. He does not have the body structure of his early youth. A little fat has also accumulated. He is also a smoker. He knows that it is not possible for him to climb the mountain at the same time as his two sons. Same with Soma. She also turned forty just a month ago. Soma is never a thin-looking woman, nor is she healthy. She always has a very average figure. Now, however, a little flesh has accumulated in her stomach. Both husband and wife walked along the path talking to the guide boy.

They walk along narrow roads lined with pines and rhododendrons. As Subir was about to light a cigarette, Soma interrupted him and said---You are lighting a cigarette again. You are already having trouble to walking.
Subir listened to his wife's scolding and put the cigarette back in the packet. They encountered another group of tourists on the road. Those who are returning from the trek.
Soma asked Raju---how long will it take us to reach?
Raju said---Madam, it will take four and a half hours.
---Oh ma! So many ways! Soma was surprised.
Subir said---Take it easy darling. can you see such beautiful nature again. Tell me, Soma, what is the height of Sandakphu?
Soma is a college teacher of geography. This question is childish to her. She said---As far as I remember 3636 meters.
Subir, however, himself does not know the answer. Guide Raju is a Sherpa by caste, and of course he knows, he said---right madam.
Soma looked at her husband and smiled. She said---you know?
Subir said----I am not a Geography teacher like you.
Suddenly the fog and clouds cleared and the bright Sun appeared. Raju said---Do you have a raincoat with madam?
---Why? That's when the clouds went away and the sun came out. I don't see any sign of rain. Soma said shocked.
Raju said---Madam the weather here is very uncertain. If it is sunny then it may rain suddenly after a while.
Soma, however, brought the necessary things from home. But she could not imagine that it might rain here. So she said---I didn't bring the raincoat. God let it not rain.
Subir said jokingly---Geography teacher failed here.
----I am a teacher, not a meteorologist. Soma replied.

Santu and Antu suddenly stopped at a far place. They are looking at something behind a tree. Soma shouted----What happened? Why are you standing?
Antu also shouted back----Mom, look at a red panda.
As soon as the panda ran away, Santu angrily said---You shouted so it ran away.

Raju smiled and said---Madam this red panda is rare here. They are rarely seen. You missed it.
However, Santu took two pictures with the camera hanging around his neck.

They finally reached Kalipokhri. Here Raju arranged for them to have lunch at a home stay. These home stays are also wooden. There are Just a few houses. There is a small dark pond also.
Raju said---sabji, name of this place is Kalipokhri because of this dark pond.

Subir started looking around. The place looks beautiful. Soma is standing far away showing something to the two sons. The two boys are already very devoted to their mom. Especially their elder son. Antu is a bit of a father fan.
Subir walked towards them. As he approached, Soma said---Isn't it a great place? Subir smiled, said---Do you want to stay here?
Soma came very close to Subir. She said---Honestly, if I could live in a place like this, I would feel like I am in heaven.
Subir jokingly said---Then when we both retire, We will spend the rest of our old age lives here.

Two boys are running after a pair of butterflies. In front of where they are standing, there is a big ditch. They are both standing on the edge of the hill. Soma rested her head on Subir's shoulder. Subir whispered---Now I want to a kiss.
Soma smiled shyly and pushed Subir and said---Dhat! When you become old, you still have not lost your nature.
----Don't worry me dear. I am a just 46-year-old youth.
Then he pulled his wife close. Both Soma and Subir saw two boys near them.

Subir can understand that Soma has liked this forest nature in her heart. Even before this, Soma used to talk about going to the mountain, hill, forest etc. Subir, however, is the opposite, he likes the blue sea.

Raju disturbed the romance of their conjugal love. he said--Sabji, If you have to come back today before evening. Then it can't be delayed anymore. Gotta get out now.