Saranya got down from the train and started to walk toward the exit. Though the railway station looked brightly lit, the place outside the station looked dark. The dimly lit street lights unknowingly made her feel scared. With umpteen numbers of promises that she would be safe once she landed in that town, Saranya took that assignment. Waiting at the entrance, she searched for her friend who promised her that he would take care of her accommodation in that small town.
Not like in Chennai, the evening doused in heat waves made her feel tired and dehydrated. As she could not reach her friend’s mobile, she decided to wait for some more time. After waiting for more than twenty minutes, she decided to find her way to the place of accommodation. Though he failed to turn around for her, he was kind enough to book her accommodation and send details well in advance through email.
Reluctantly, Saranya walked to the auto stand and enquired about the ride to her place of accommodation. Much to her surprise, every one of them came forward to help her. Relieved by their helping attitude, Saranya took the first auto to reach her place of accommodation.
Saranya reached her accommodation safely and it took another thirty minutes to complete the check-in procedures. When she started to roll her trolley bag, a young man approached her with a smile.
“Hello, Saranya, How are you?” Saranya turned around to look who called her. ‘Hi, I am fine.’ At the first instance, it did not strike Saranya that it was her e-mail friend Arun who helped her to book her accommodation.
“Sorry, I am Arun. Sorry for not coming to the station.”
“No problem, I am not a little kid. Anyway, thanks for reserving my accommodation.”
Saranya started to walk toward the stairs to reach her room. “Will you be there tomorrow to take me,” without turning around, she posed the question to him. “Or should I go on my own?”
Arun looked at her with a sheepish grin. “You need not worry. I will be here by 7 am tomorrow. I have made all the arrangements for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Will you join me for dinner?.”
“No, thanks. See you tomorrow. Good night.” Without expecting him to reply, Saranya walked upstairs and disappeared in a moment. Arun felt snubbed for a while and regretted not going to the station to receive her. Their first meeting had started with friction, he wondered how it would be tomorrow.
The next day, when Arun reached her accommodation, Saranya received him with a broad smile.
“Hi, Good morning.”
“Good morning. How are you?” Arun felt relieved as Saranya sounded normal. To impress Saranya in their first meeting, Arun decided to arrange for a local taxi service that would help them to travel in comfort. Having arranged for a car saved their back from a bumpy ride on the worn-out road.
Saranya who got used to smooth rides on well-laid roads found it difficult for a while to get adjusted. But, as she expected an adventurous trip to drift along the backwater ways of Pitchavaram, she didn’t talk. Though Arun wanted to talk a lot to her, he also kept quiet. They reached the place in silence.
The breathtaking beauty of Pitchavaram mesmerized Saranya. The long stretch of greens and the crystal clear water seemed to be a welcome relief from the monotonous life. Well in advance, Arun hired a boat for their two-hour boat ride.
He wanted to spend more time with Saranya, so he opted for a row boat. As the boat ride would pass through dark channels and overhanging branches, Arun preferred a row boat. For short rides, people preferred motorboats. But people who really wanted to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Pitchavaram chose row boats.
Arun first took her to Chinna Vaikkal Island from Pitchavaram. Fortunately, their visit coincided with the onset of an Eco-tourism festival ‘Dawn Fest’ organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. When they reached the island, the whole island decorated nicely vibrated with festive mood. Sometime after they reached the island, international and national delegates reached the place in decorated boats.
Usually, the island will be so calm, and one can hear only the songs of birds. As Arun was planning for a romantic retreat with Saranya on the lonely island, it did not attract him much. But Saranya enjoyed every second of stay over there. Earlier, she was wondering what she would write and fill her travel column.
This sudden surprise gave her much more output than she expected. All through the day, she kept herself busy by talking to all the people over there. Arun had to be a silent spectator and accompany her wherever she wanted to go.
A Tale of My Dream
In the evening, there were folk and traditional music performances on a floating stage. Though the place was deprived of proper current facilities, the organizers lit the whole place with light using generators. The sudden bustle of activity on the island did not disturb the migratory birds, and they went with their routine chores as usual. The seafood served at the festival tasted delicious, and Saranya enjoyed her food much to her disappointment of Arun.
Around 5 pm, everyone started to return. Though the festival was extended to one more day, Saranya could not stay there as she had to be in Chennai the next day. While they were returning to Pitchavaram from Chinna Vaikkal Island, the boatman shouted, ‘We need to return to the nearest island immediately.’ Saranya and Arun could sense the alarm in his words and asked him the reason. “I can feel a sudden change in the flow of water. The same way I felt when the tsunami hit here.”
Saranya could see many birds flying here and there. The songs of those birds sounded different as if warning them to move away from danger. Watersnips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans flew and occupied the tallest spot on the trees. It was really a delight to see so many birds together at the same time.
Saranya did not miss the chance to catch those moments with her camera. The boatman started to row the boat faster and wanted to reach a safer place as soon as possible. Arun guided him to the nearest island where he usually came to do his research work. People who stayed there knew him well. So, when they reached that island, they felt relieved and happy.
The night started to set in. In the darkness, Saranya could see the twinkling stars in the sky. This was the first time she was stranded in a lonely place. They could not get the signal for their mobiles. It deprived them of contacting the outer world. Saranya though felt scared in the beginning, started to feel excited with this sudden change of her trip into an adventurous one.
Quite a few families stayed there on that island, and there was no electricity or any other facility. The woman in the hut served their food on mud plates. Saranya took some candles from her bag and lit them. “Welcome to the candle-lit dinner.” When Saranya requested Arun to join her at the dinner, he felt excited and happy. He silently looked at the waving curls of her hair in the sea breeze. Without hesitation, he asked, looking into her eyes, ‘Will you marry me?” Saranya could not help laughing aloud.
Growing up in an environment enriched with colours of nature adorned with sounds of machines, I enjoyed life with all challenges. Nature is always a great teacher that teaches empathy to live and let live others. Though I am now living in an urban environment, the lesson that nature taught me motivates and allows me to keep on writing. I will always remember the cool afternoons in the shades of trees that made me write more on love.
I like your writing style. this is really impressive.
Thanks