Murmur of the Lonely Brook Read Online Free PDF Page B

mountains. They travel from one valley to another washing the leaves and leaving small puddles and pearls on the grass. Awhile later, the rains lessened and the three walked back toward home. Ria, after coming back from school, made a few pancakes. Both she and her father had dinner and were watching TV when the three came in. They changed into dry clothes and then went straight to the bukhari to sit close to the fire. Soon the warmth spread and Parvati mixed rice and dal for making khichdi. She was in no mood to make pancakes after a long day. After dinner, everyone went to sleep. Diwakar decided to sleep next to the bukhari. He was feeling cold after his long day in the plains. He pushed in two thick logs and stretched out on the sheepskin.
    In the other room, Nisha was awake and looked out of the window. Everything was dark except for the few lights flickering on the hills far away. The sky was clear now and she could see a million stars hanging overhead. A few stray dogs barked in the distance. The house, Ria, the entire village was sleeping. Only a faint song came floating inside…
    Let’s ride away my love,
    let me be your knight...

Chapter 3
    Pravin was waiting with others for the bus. It never came on time but everyone got used to it. This helped Bharat’s business as the bus-stand was next to his shop. People ordered tea, biscuits, bidi, and more if the bus was delayed. Sometimes the driver and his helper would order food, rice, and dal, prompting other passengers to get off and shop. The bus traveled another ten km to Chitkul, the last Indian village before Tibet, now under Chinese occupation. Passengers only got up on the return trip.
    Dayawanti came out of the shop and said to Pravin, “If you are going to Peo, you can come along with me. I’m leaving in half an hour with Balbir.”
    Pravin thought for a second and said, “Okay, that will be much better and save me time. But I don’t have much money.”
    “That’s all right. Just pay whatever you can. I have reserved the Jeep.”
    “When will you be coming back?”
    “It will be quite some time before I come back.”
    “So, you got a job?”
    “Not yet, but I am sure I will get one,” Pravin said confidently.
    “But how can you stay away from such a beautiful wife? You have just married and she will miss you.”
    Pravin smiled and gave a stoic look. The job was more important to him. He knew that Nisha was an understanding woman and would wait. Pravin took a seat and ordered tea. There were thousand of things going on in his mind. He needed to earn money. He did not want to get trapped in household work. He did not want to spend the rest of his life tending the cattle, collecting grass and firewood, and brewing liquor. He wanted to break away and make it big, not only for himself but also to provide some comfort and relief to the family. He had already provided his mother with a helping hand and stayed at home for the last six months but now he needed to move out. The six months had been bittersweet. He had had long arguments with Shevak. He wanted money for a shop, which Shevak refused to give or lend to him. He did not mind his aau’s outbursts as he knew he really did not have much in savings. He tried to get a loan to buy a Jeep, but again, the bank wanted some guarantee. The only solace was with Nisha who understood and listened to him. She was always confident that he would find a way.
    Balbir came with his Jeep and parked it in front of the shop. He had just washed the car near the river and it looked clean and glowing in the sun. The Jeep was a four-seater but most of the time it carried six. People also traveled on the carrier meant for goods. Balbir was one of the most reliable drivers in the region and he also maintained his car. He had been driving a long time and knew every corner, bend, and rough patch on the route. Balbir lived with his mother. His father was from Nepal. Balbir’s mother had three unmarried sisters and after