Must Read: Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 35

7 years ago

Must Read: Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 35

While breakfast was being la!d, a heavy discussion was ensuing on the verandah between her father and sister on one side and her brother Sumit and the kids on the other on the preferred activity for the weekend. Her brother’s camp was voting for a jungle safari whereas her then father’s camp wanted to go for a picnic at the Apsara Vihar Waterfall which was a good enough trek for everyone. Snigdha sat sipping her aromatic earl grey tea that her mother had in her kitchen for special guests and herself, and watched the playful discussion going on.

The weather was bright, cold and sunny making it a wonderful combination to sit on the open patio and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The bunglow was a bit away from the town area, therefore not much vehicular noise penetrated here. Huge trees shielded the winding roads leading to the main gate of the house.

A strange peace enveloped Snigdha and she stretched her legs in front of her, cradling the cup in her hands to feel the heat in her cold hands. Pachmari in November starts getting chilly but the nights are colder.
‘Mausi, which party are you in? Its Friday, we have to decide!’ Khushi, her sister’s 10 yr daughter implored.
‘Well, the choices are tough.’ Snigdha said smiling at the group that was now all looking at her. She knew they wanted her to feel relaxed and enjoy her time here, forgetting her nightmarish past of the last week or so.

‘I think safari will be adventurous. We will take a night safari!’ Sumit declared.
‘No way! Snigdha has just come out of a nightmare spent in a jungle. We must go to a relaxing spot, like a waterfall, we can splash around and chill and even cook dal, bati, churma and your favourite mutton curry!’ Sumedha’s tempting words made everyone silent for a second, then suddenly everyone started speaking all at once voicing their opinion.

‘Silence!’ Billowed her Dad’s voice in mock anger. ‘Snigdha will decide. Tell us Snigdha what do you want?’

Cornered Snigdha said what came to her mind first. ‘I think the picnic would be soothing. And I would love to eat dal bati churma!!!’ Snigdha would have preferred to sit at home, reading a book or listening to her favourite old Hindi melodies, but she didn’t want to break her family’s hearts. They were making an effort to distract her and she was happy to go their way.

Who knows the picnic would refresh her and take her out of the mire of dark emotions which plagued her at night and forced her to be awake till wee hours of morning.

The breakfast was another happy, jubilant affair, with the kids and her brother fighting over how many jalebis to eat. In spite of her mother’s mild rebukes, no one paid attention and the table which just an hour ago was full of delicious dishes, were shorn of it all, leaving just a few crumbs and pieces as witness. Her brother was the biggest culprit of all, having a mammoth’s appetite, he ate everything that came his way! Snigdha laughed so hard, that tears came into her eyes, at the whacky humour of her brother and the antic of the kids.

Her father too with his dry humour made the atmosphere light and happy.
‘Sidhi, let Ravinder bring our tea to the verandah. Come I have something to show you.’ Her Dad pushed the chair and got up speaking in a more serious tone to her.
Washing her hands, Snigdha followed her Dad.

The picnic at Apsara Vihar was the most relaxing and enjoyable experience for Snigdha. She could feel the happy, blissful atmosphere take away the pain and biting tension that had been searing her in the last few days. She made herself get involved in the activities. Paddling her feet in the gurgling water with her Mom and sister, tickling over the shiny stones, drinking chilled juice from bottles immersed in cold water flowing down the rocks, eating the steaming hot dal, and bati made right there in the midst of the jungle and lying down on the sun warmed rocks, with her eyes closed, trying to forget the events of recent past. The day ended peacefully. While the gang got engaged in an animated singing game,Antakshari, where each person was supposed to sing a new film song starting from the last letter of the previous song, Snigdha let her head roll on the cushioned seat of the car, closing her eyes, and listening to the funny contest going on between the kids and her brother.