The Truth Is This

The melodious tune of this Himachali folk song was doubling our happiness in our bus journey from Manali to Dharamsala. Sitting on the front seat, we used to anticipate the height and depth of the hill roads well in advance. The driver was driving the bus with his experienced hands. The sun had set by the time we reached Dharamsala. A small bus stand made us realize that the town was Dharamshala. Dinesh promptly unloaded out luggage from the bus. When Bhavya jumped down, I too jumped with five years old Divya. All of us started laughing together. Making an outing with family has its own charm.

Even after such a long journey, we were energetic. Anyway, the passion of seeing new places fills us with extra energy. Dinesh slung a bag on his shoulder and pulling a trolley bag with his hand, looked around and walked on the main road. Bhavya also slung a small bag on her shoulder and started following Papa. I was holding little Divya in my arms for sometime or made her walk.We were going on foot, asking the way for the hotel. Dinesh is well conversant to find ways. He never books hotel in advance, nor does he resort to the help of any agency. He apprehends that the booked hotel may be located in one corner of the city and everything will not be available there. After a few hours’ walk, he mostly gets a good hotel. He often makes us sit in some park or the railway station and proceeds in search of a hotel.This time a hotel was seen at a distant hill as soon as we came out of the bus stand.

The hotel looked attractive with decorative walls of rose color with maroon straps. Dinesh was walking fast, but I lagged behind considerably with Bhavya and Divya. Dinesh makes us walk unnecessarily.We could have called someone for luggage. I started feeling angry on him. Well, after a few minutes, we reached the reception of the hotel breathing heavily. Dinesh wished to see the rooms first and went along with the hotel staff.When he came back ,after five minutes, the keys of the rooms were with him.It was good to find other families staying in the hotel.The rooms were neat and tidy which gave us relief from our tired feelings.It was nice to see that the adventurous mood of Dinesh brought better result.Had we not got a hotel or got only an ordinary one?

Fatigue was overtaking us. We took light food and then fell asleep. In the morning, we got up when the sun rays started coming in through the window. The children's voices, from the adjacent room, were coming to our room. I came to the balcony of my room when I got a glimpse of the family staying in the adjacent room. I smiled and asked the children, “'Where have you come from?’Are you from Delhi?.”

“Where do you plan to go today?” Actually I had asked this to know if those people were also going to the same place, then all can share the car. I asked again, “Where is your mom?”'Bathing” ...' and Papa...? 'Sleeping inside ... May be that sharing will not be possible.

Among the children there was a girl of about 10 years, the other girl of about 7-8 years old and a little boy. Today Dinesh made the program for McLeodGunj. We were all ready. We spent one day peacefully with the Dalai Lama and before sun set returned back to our hotel. We came to the room and rested for while and in the evening, we went out on foot to stroll in the streets of Dharamsala.

When we went to a Dhaba for eating, we saw the children of our adjacent room. Looking around, I saw a beautiful woman on the counter, who was probably the mother of these children and was ordering something for them to eat.Has she come alone.? Seeing the woman alone, this question arises in the mind of everyone suddenly. I was in no way different. It may also be that her husband's health is not good or he is lazy.The mind started to create many types of stories. By then, Dinesh had taken a seat in the corner along with Bhavya and Navya. I told Dinesh with gestures, 'Look, she is staying in the same hotel ... but I have not seen her husband so far Dinesh also told ,”Yes,It may also be possible that he has the drug addiction to remains in his own world” For many people, this is the only means of fun in tourists’ places. My mind got saddened by the words of Dinesh and then I dropped the idea of sharing anything with the family.

The children appeared again in the balcony next morning. Suppressing many doubts in my mind I asked - 'What is your name? “Sonal”, the big girl said seriously. “And yours?” Komal, said the little girl smartly.The little boy who was swinging told his name as Biswas unasked.”And where is your mother?”She is inside”.he told.”And father?” “He is sleeping”.I was trying to catch the string of the conversation 'What does your papa do? This time I had come to the issue. 'He is a lieutenant in the army” ..., he replied promptly... 'Well, what are your plans for the day. 'I do not know” Komal said. ... . Just then the voice of her mother came from inside, 'Take your shower quickly” the children went inside running and, I too came to my room.

Dinesh had made the program to go to Chamunda. After getting ready, we picked up a small bag and started. The bus stand was near and the bus was ready to go to Chamunda.How did we cover the stretch of 15-kilometer with its natural beauty we did not know. When we came out of the temple, a small hilly river appeared in front of us and we proceeded towards it.We had a desire to bathe but we did not bring extra clothes. I looked at Dinesh questioning as to why did he not tell us about such places to enjoy. Dinesh felt guilty and turned his eyes. Sometimes he makes important things look insignificant.Bhavya and Navya were eager to take bath.I took them towards the water so that they may drench their feet.” Look mother! The auntie of our hotel is here.” The little Navya said.

Again we were seeing the family staying by the side of our room.The children were bathing.I took a closer look around with the hope that her husband may be with her today.On the pretext of meeting the children I went near them.Seeing me the children started shouting “Auntie , Auntie” when their mother looked at me turning her smiling face . I told confusingly,” We did not know that there was a river here”When the children insisted I had to come here with them.I have not brought extra clothes for children".

'Have you come for the first time?” Her question surprised me. Do the people visit tourist places again and again? Although some people may be there like this, but I did not say anything.”Yes, we visit new places each time” I said.Then her lazy eyes came alive. “No problem.I have brought extra clothes for children Let them have their bath.”She requested me, showing herself familiar .She knew that we stayed in the same hotel and the clothes can be returned on our return.I saw her sitting on a rock in a manner that the stream of water could not touch her whereas I got half drenched by the time I reached that place.”Where is the brother-in-law?”I asked.

My question was towards her husband.The curiosity to know about him grew in me. 'Oh ... you mean my husband? He is no longer in the world “..., saying that her lively eyes became lifeless.I could not hold my legs on the flowing water but somehow held the rock firmly by holding which I could save myself from falling due to the swift current. . But she was sitting on the rock in such a way as if she was sitting there for years. Oh God! What we thought, and what came out! Oh !Only because of that she has come out with her children alone.

She took out two pairs of clothes from the bag and gave it to me. I thanked her with a heavy heart and looked at children and Dinesh standing at the back and joined them. Dinesh too regretted feeling bad about his remarks.. Bhavya and Navya enjoyed their bath and by the evening we returned to our hotel. After reaching the hotel, while showing interest to return the clothes , I could not hide my temptation to know more There was a lock in their room and my ears were glued to it to hear the first sound when the lock was opened so that I may go there to return the clothes.

When I was about to reach them on the first sound, Dinesh said,”What do you do?They have come just now.Let them rest.You may go later.What is the hurry?”

How does Dinesh know what was in my mind.To come to a tourist place alone with three children perplexed me. After a while, I was in their room.

She opened the door showing respect. Thanking her for the clothes; I found a place to sit. She smiled mildly.. After sitting I asked , 'What is your name? 'Aarti”, she looked quite comfortable. I knew that I should not ask , but still I asked hesitatingly , “If you do not mind, may I ask what happened to your husband actually?”

'Yes, he came to Dharamsala eight years ago, along with with his friends. Then my little son was due.It was the birthday of the Dalai Lama. The birthday is celebrated here on a grand scale.While returning there was a serious accident as the car fell into a deep abyss .Her throat got choked and she could not speak. I placed my hand mildly on hers. Her children were also silent. Within a moment, there was lull in the room. Then she said, 'I was not told anything at that time because I was about to deliver my son.I came to know much later but what could have been done by me?It was destined.My eyes became moist but her eyes were dry.I do not known the number of times she would have shed tears, for the river of tears to go dry.

'For the last several years I have come here on these days to find the trace of my husband.. I go to the valley, where their car fell. Their voice ... Then I try to hear his last shrieks here and there, hoping to get something .May be that he has left some message for me somewhere. After hearing her answer, I did not have the courage to ask anything. 'But the children told me that the father is sleeping in ... he is in the army.”.

'Yes, it is due to the fear. Whenever I stay at the hotel, I instruct my children that if someone asks about father, they should tell this. People should not feel that we are alone. That's why I also behave as a married woman with signs of Suhag. By the way, I always stay only in this hotel. All the staff here knows me well. She opened her purse and showed her husband's photo. Children also bowed before father's photo. Understanding their feelings I too bowed down. I was ashamed of my shallow thoughts With a heavy heart when I got up from the room I did not know what was going on in the mind? I was too eager to tell everything to Dinesh as early as possible.