Those were the days...Part 3

These are dense jungles but I can clearly see a man sitting under the tree by the lake. I don’t know if I am deep inside the jungle. Damn! Should have never got off the horse and now I can’t find him, how am I going to go home. Will he attack me?? Is he alone or there are others too?? Let me get a bit close and look at him.

***

The hustle, yes I did hear it and now there is nothing. Was it just my mind or really a wild boar? The wild animals take their time to make the attack. They never miss their kill in haste. The sound came from the left just at the start of the lake. Even my peering hard is not helping in this full moon night. I need to get up and take charge or else I may never be able to make out of this jungle alive and my new employer is already least concerned about me.

***

The moment I made a move he got up. Oh God! This man is already taking charge. You don’t know me mister I am no timid city girl, I can take care of myself. Enough of hiding behind the trees girl! Let’s show him he has tough competition.

“Hey you, don’t even think of coming close to me. Where are your other gang members, they are still hiding? Since when are you following me? You think I am alone, no I am not. I am here with my horse and my dogs. They are wilder than any animal and will tear you apart. You better just stay there and let me go back home. “

***

The moment I took charge and started towards the animal a voice shook me. That’s not an animal, it’s a girl. I can’t see her face but yes she is a tall, slender girl and she is saying ......what....she thinks I am a goon? This is what I made of myself, coming here. Superb!

“Listen lady, I am no goon, there is no one else hiding around and I am not following you. Don’t be scared or angry and don’t unleash your dogs on me. You can leave as you came and let me be.”

***

Oh! There was a very peculiar calm in his voice. He sounds like an educated man. On a closer look, he looks suave – tall, robust, clean-shaved, well-dressed.

“Hi, I mean no harm, actually there are no dogs and my horse is on his own grazing somewhere. I just said all that in case you are a goon, but you don’t look like one. This is my first time in this jungle. Do you come here often?”

“Hi, that’s OK. I am actually from Lucknow and came here two days back. This is my first visit to the jungle too and maybe last.”

“Last?? Why would you say that? Isn’t it beautiful?? I was always drawn to this place and now that I have seen it, I can never ever get over it.”

“Madam, I have a strong feeling we are from different backgrounds. I am a common guy and for me visiting jungles and contemplating is a leisure which one gets by chance. Besides I am not here on leisure I am here all the way from home to work. And if I don’t get to work I don’t think I can sustain myself here for long. I need to get going and find work.”

“Work? What work? Where are you working? Tell me maybe I can help if you have a bad boss.”

“Bad boss? (Laughs at himself)

My boss, I mean the person who called me to interview for a job has already forgotten me. I am waiting for a call since the past two days and he hasn’t responded. I think I should just go back now and start finding a new job.”

“Who is this boss of yours?? Tell me maybe me or my father might know him and we may help”

“Thank you madam but I just know his name. He is a bureaucrat Mr. Rao. I know there are many bureaucrats at this time of the year in Shimla with this conference around. Anyway I hope I didn’t scare you a lot. I can see your horse there; it’s time we both should get going.”

“Yes, right. I am sorry to misunderstand you. All the best for your future, may you get all that you deserve.”

P.S. This is part 3 of a 4 part story.

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