Time Space & Me

She stood at the trunk of the fig tree and gazed. In her hand she was clutching a piece of paper and was wondering about her endeavor. She was restless, anxious and dazed. There came a man who is the friend of her lover. She waved at him and with a smile she passed on that piece of paper to him. Tell my man not to fail me daju...she said. Ok baineeeeee, the man gave her a quick smile and walked out. It was Sunday, November 1974. The social structure at the village were still primitive and strict. They came from Rai families who are still supposed to be very traditional in their marriage. Village head man was the rule...every word he spoke ought to be taken. Girl child was protected and was given in marriage to a man of their consent. She was nervous about the evening when her man would be summoned for the acid test. She crossed her fingers and prayed. The sun slowly made his way to the horizon. It has become big ruddy and simmering. Red hue blanketed the sky while birds flew to their broods. She fetched water from the pond, closed the coo door for her chicken and went inside and waited. She sat on the threshold and expected.....A man of his age, tall slender, mustached and fashionable was preparing for the meet. In hara and neatly tugged cottons, he is but a handsome man, almost like Greek god. Mr. Shongbhen do not get nervous, says his friend Mr. Pradhan. Well, I am not, in slightly in-confidence retorts back. In a moment, two men were trailing the foot path, slightly hurrying, slightly skeptic and slightly hesitating. They walked through the tea garden, crossing brooks and Fagu khola with a long and rickety suspension. They walked up hill stoned steps, straight replica of the Mayan builders. Finally, their steps took last stride that they stood standing on the small grassed uneven court yard. Their host, a man of sixtys was sitting on a stool deeply enjoying his smoke. He got up folded his handa in response to the exchange of Seewaroos, Rai ways of greetings. A lady of in her fiftys came out from the house and greeted these lads, with a slightly doubting smile. They looked at each other. His most anticipated host was missing, he felt flat and taste less. His eyes roved and rolled, his friend caught the message instantly. They sat still, exchanging unattended conversations with their host with his mind constantly looking for the absentee. Almost by providence, an angelic persona in her late teens bubbled up with a tray of Darjeeling teas and Tibetan Cookies. Cascading hair, average build, Mongoloid eyes, apple cheeks and red chili lips. She is but more than beautiful....pleasant nature and charismatic voice. Please, have tea, she tries to present herself as much normally as possible but she obviously is shaky, nervous and excited. As she serves her guest, she catches his eyes, locks for a moment ans shys away. The old man queries their coming, where from and other pitties to drag this conversation......