See You Again!

12 KM walk from Niausa to Longding. Last night, I stayed at Inspection Bungalow. There were no private hotels which offer night stay. Those days, you have only two options, either to stay at Circuit house or Inspection Bungalow. It was all at the mercy of Govt. officials.

It is a nice beautiful place, every where you can see green hills. It was my first experience to come to hilly area. I have stayed only in plain and it was very difficult for me to believe this new world. I felt, I am in a dream. Next day, I saw sunrise and came out from my room. Slight cold and sunny day. I was surprised to see it was 4.30 AM. I heard that there is a bus at 9.00 am which goes up to Pongchau but it is not on a regular basis. It plies on alternative days. So, I decided to walk from Longding to Niausa as I had a very difficult experience travelling from Khonsa to Longding yesterday. I saw people moving with a big knife called Daaw. They speak different language. I was a stranger with them. When, I completed almost 3 -4 km, I saw a girl going the same way. I walked a little fast and could get very close to her. I was hesitant to talk to her.

On my way, I stopped at a G.R.E.F Camp and was offered tea. The same girl stayed for a while at G.R.E.F camp. She started talking to me. She told me that she is a student of class X. She knows Hindi and described me about local people and practice. On the same time, she was talking to those people coming from another side in local language. I am not sure whether she praised or criticized me. Cheerful and smiling face, a happy girl. She invited me to her village. No mobile phone or telephone number in those days. I noted her details. Next 4 years, I was searching her but could not find her. I was hesitant and I had a fear in my mind if they ask why are you looking for that girl? I stayed with many strangers there as there were many teachers from Kerela and local tribal children from Arunachal, only boys school!