Where the Secret Lies

by Gandhi, Malika

  They drove along steep and hilly roads, swerving on a few sharp turns, making Arianna cringe. She hated heights. Tianna, wide-awake chatted the rest of the way. Khushboo fell asleep again, her head resting on Nikhil’s shoulder and her arms hugging his waist. A friendship embrace, Arianna strangely felt better for it.

  By the time they arrived at the Lonavala lodge, darkness had fallen with a prominent mist forming. The group trundled out of the car, their limbs screaming from fatigue.

  ‘Welcome to Lonavala Lodge,’ said the receptionist with a big smile. ‘How may I assist you?’

  ‘We have come from Mumbai,’ Kabir her. ‘We have a booking on the name Kabir Tendulkar.’

  The receptionist checked the name on the computer and took a key from the wall.

  ‘Your cabin is ready,’ the receptionist smiled and grabbed a flyer. ‘This is a map of the area and this is your key. Please follow me and I will take you to your cabin.

  The cabin was modern in structure, a mini two-storey house built with wood. Arianna imagined fabulous views from the balcony in the morning. She gasped.

  ‘You hear the waterfall?’ Nikhil came to stand next to her. Arianna nodded. ‘Wait till the morning, I will take you there.’

  It was eight in the evening and very warm. Everyone was pretty tired and crashed on the sofa for a while, resting their minds and bodies before they did anything else. The simple, natural furnishing blended in perfectly with the location. Being the time of the Monsoon season, the cascading waterfalls were best at this time of the year. Arianna was eager to see it already.

  ‘Who wants some chai?’ asked Kabir after a while.

  Everyone put their hand up.

  ‘Shall we go for a walk?’ Khushboo asked after the teas were finished.

  ‘Not me. I am too tired from all that driving,’ said Kabir.

  ‘I’ll stay with Kabir,’ said Tianna. ‘I’m sure we will be doing a lot of walking tomorrow anyway.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ asked Arianna.

  ‘You go on sis; I am a big girl now. I can look after myself,’ she said.

  ‘Well, okay but behave yourself. You are still only fourteen and not eighteen,’ lectured Arianna.

  ‘Have fun guys,’ said Khushboo as she, Arianna and Nikhil left.

  The three walked into town where good food and beautiful sights beckoned. The town lit up, a number of shops and stalls enthralled them. Khushboo linked her arm around Arianna’s but Arianna preferred to hold Nikhil’s hand...she blushed thinking about it, luckily no one noticed.

  Nikhil busied himself in a paper shop and Khushboo took Arianna to the side.

  ‘Is there something going on between you two?’ she asked.

  ‘No, why do you say that?’ said Arianna as innocently as she could.

  ‘You act different around him. I see him looking at you,’ Khushboo raised her eyebrows. ‘Do you like him?’

  ‘Alright, yes I do but don’t tell anyone and especially not him. Nothing can come of this Khushboo – you know that. Even if I do like him, how do I know he likes me?’

  ‘The fact that he keeps looking at you at every given moment is a big giveaway.’

  Nikhil came back from the shop. ‘Shall we eat? I am famished.’

  ‘Come on,’ Khushboo took Arianna’s arm again.

  Arianna had lost her appetite; butterflies raced inside her stomach each time her and Nikhil’s hands touched. She could not look him in the eye and kept on fidgeting. Khushboo tried to keep a neutral face – it was near to impossible.

  Time was getting on so the three made their way back to the cabin taking food with them for the two left behind. As predicted, Tianna and Kabir dug into their food like they had not seen food before.

  ‘Okay guys, let’s call it a night,’ said Khushboo at eleven thirty. ‘We have an early rise tomorrow.’

  ‘You have no argument from me,’ said Tianna, stretching. ‘By the way, that food was yummy! I am so full now.’

  ‘Come on Ti,’ Arianna helped her sister off the sofa.

  The boys took one room and the girls shared the other. They were all asleep in seconds.

  TEN

  The morning freshness filtered through the trees, touching Arianna like feather light fingers. She stirred, squinting at the dazzling sun that came in through the large window.

  Arianna stifled a yawn and went to the bathroom. It felt good to feel the cool water on her face. She brushed her teeth and her hair, and made her way to the balcony. Arianna leaned forward and inhaled the fresh air.

  Slowly but surely, the other two woke up. Tianna groaned at the splendid sunshine. She got up, closed the shades, and went back into bed. Arianna reopened them.

  ‘Time to get up, Ti,’ she said. ‘You don’t want to waste a wonderful morning.’

  Tianna grumbled. ‘I’m tired. Let me sleep for another fifteen minutes.’

  Arianna saw Khushboo close the bathroom door.

  ‘Come on. Khushboo is in the bathroom already. I’m going downstairs.’

  Arianna put on a pair of black leggings and a long t-shirt. She tied her hair into a high ponytail, which allowed her fringe to cover her forehead.

  She slowed as she approached the last step. Nikhil stood in the middle of the room, his back facing her. He wore a pair of faded jeans and a burgundy t-shirt, his shoulder length hair tied neatly into a ponytail at the base of his neck.

  ‘Um, good morning,’ Arianna spoke quietly.

  Almost dropping his cup, Nikhil turned around.

  ‘Sorry,’ said Arianna.

  ‘Good morning,’ Nikhil smiled, his dimples showing. He stared at her for a long time.

  Someone cleared their throat. Nikhil and Arianna jumped, breaking the fizzling chemistry. Khushboo strode to Nikhil and folded her arms.

  ‘You never looked at me like that,’ she lifted her eyebrows.

  ‘Shut up, Khush,’ said Nikhil. He raked a hand through his hair and blushed.

  Arianna did not know men could do that. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she made an excuse to check on Tianna. She heard Khushboo asking Nikhil if he liked her as she dashed upstairs, her face burning.

  Everyone was ready with a rucksack containing water and a small towel.

  ‘Why do we need a towel?’ asked Tianna.

  ‘You’ll see,’ said Kabir. ‘We are going to the Lonavala waterfall but before we hit this amazing place, you will be even more amazed at the dam – the Bushi dam.’

  ‘A dam?’ said Tianna. ‘Yeah, right. Amazing.’

  Kabir chuckled at Tianna’s reserve. ‘It’s a short drive from here.’

  Arianna had never seen a waterfall before, in person anyway. She looked forward to this spectacle and couldn’t wait to get going. Lonavala was ideal for waterfalls. The humidity and the forecast rainfall ticked all the boxes.

  ‘Perfect,’ Nikhil and Khushboo said together.

  Nikhil parked the car on the main road once they reached Bushi dam.

  ‘Be warned, this is a popular attraction. Thousands from around India and the world come to visit, expect huge crowds and Ti, you will get wet!’ said Khushboo.

  ‘Oh no!’ Tianna moaned at which everyone laughed.

  Khushboo walked with Arianna and Tianna, letting the boys take lead. As they neared the dam, both Arianna and Tianna gasped. The others grinned.

  ‘My sneakers will get wet!’ Tianna squealed, stepping away from the cascading water coming down from the steps.

  ‘When the dam overflows, this is what happens,’ said Nikhil. ‘Isn’t it fantastic?’

  ‘Here, wear these,’ Khushboo took three pairs of good grip slippers from her backpack.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because, we are going to walk up!’

  Arianna could not believe it.

  ‘Would you like me to guide you?’ Nikhil offered his hand.

  ‘I’m scared,’ said Arianna. ‘What if I slip?’

  ‘You are safe with me,’ he reassured her.

  Steadyi
ng her heart and trying to ignore her fears, Arianna placed her small hand in his large, strong one. Tianna and Khushboo grabbed each other’s hand and walked up carefully. Kabir showed off his expertise, walking up quickly and alone.

  The dam was packed with tourists and locals as Khushboo said. Some sat on the steps while the water manoeuvred down and around them. A good number splashed water at their friends, parents, or partners, shrieking with laughter. Small children squealed and shouted in amusement, splashing and laughing, their parents keeping a vigilant hold on them for their safety.

  Arianna was wet to her calves when someone drenched her whole. She laughed and joined in the fun. Even Tianna enjoyed herself as she kicked water on every step they climbed.

  ‘Be careful now,’ said Kabir.

  ‘Don’t be a baby,’ Tianna threw water at him.

  The game began, much to the amusement of onlookers. The friends splashed each other in a frenzied attack. In a matter of minutes all were soaked from head to toe. Nikhil leaned into Arianna.

  ‘You are beautiful, Arianna,’ his voice washed over her. ‘I like you...a lot.’

  Before Arianna could respond, Nikhil grabbed her hand. ‘Let’s be the first at the top,’ he said.

  Heat surged through Arianna as she and Nikhil half- ran, half-walked to the top of the dam.

  ‘Look,’ Nikhil pointed a finger. ‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes,’ Arianna whispered.

  The dam lay before Arianna in its full glory, like a large lake. People waded through without a thought. Nikhil pulled her chin up where she met his intense gaze. She felt the heat from his body as he crushed her against him...someone threw water on them.

  ‘Time to cool down!’ laughed Kabir.

  Arianna looked fearfully at the overflowing dam.

  ‘I can’t walk through that,’ she protested. ‘There could be anything lurking beneath the water.’

  ‘Like sharks, alligators, and flesh-biting fish?’ grinned Kabir.

  ‘Do you trust me?’ asked Nikhil, ignoring his friend. Arianna took his hand a second time without hesitation.

  The rains came as promised and Nikhil lifted his face towards the sky for a moment. Arianna watched the rain splatter on his perfect face. He dropped her hand and picked her up amidst catcalls and whistles from their friends and strangers. Arianna buried her face into his shirt.

  Nikhil waved, dropping Arianna into the water. She screamed as she went under. Nikhil quickly grabbed her

  hand, pulling her up. Arianna coughed out damn water, angry and put out. The others walked on ahead, avoiding conflict.

  ‘I’m sorry, please forgive me,’ Nikhil said.

  ‘My hair smells of dam water,’ Arianna spat.

  ‘I promise to not drop you again,’ he said sincerely.

  ‘I would rather walk and take my chances,’ Arianna proceeded to walk alone to the other side.

  ‘Arianna, I said I was sorry!’ Nikhil shouted behind her.

  ‘Not good enough!’ she shouted back.

  ‘Ari!’

  Arianna stopped. ‘What did you call me?’

  ‘Sorry...I meant Arianna.’

  Arianna tweaked a smile. ‘Ari is nice.’

  Tianna and Arianna looked for the waterfall.

  ‘Where is it?’ Arianna asked.

  ‘Down there,’ Khushboo pointed to the edge of the car park.

  ‘What? We cannot go down there! That’s not a path but rocks and boulders and it looks dangerous!’ exclaimed Tianna.

  ‘You have to make your way down slowly over the boulders. It is not as slippery as it looks, quite safe. Follow me,’ said Khushboo.

  Arianna and Tianna followed their cousin’s lead and steadily made good progress down the embankment, finally reaching the bottom. They heard the roar of the waterfall and turned.

  ‘This is amazing!’ exclaimed Tianna.

  The fall caused mist and spray as it crashed onto rocks and boulders. The brave and adventurous stood behind the waterfall whilst others sat around it. For a long

  moment, Arianna stood frozen gazing at Lonavala’s wonder. She closed her eyes and opened her arms wide to let the rain and mist take her. Tianna took out the camera and began taking pictures.

  Kabir took out corn and pakoras (bhajis) he bought from the shops at the car park. Famished, the small group finished the food in minutes.

  ‘There’s something about eating hot food in weather like this,’ said Khushboo and all agreed.

  While Khushboo chatted with Kabir and Tianna, Nikhil saw his chance. He took Arianna to a spot where they could be alone. The others pretended to not notice.

  ‘I am truly sorry for what happened up there,’ Nikhil took her hand and traced her palm with figure of eights.

  Nikhil and Arianna sat on a large boulder. This part of the area was isolated with trees and a small stream. They sat close, their bodies a fraction apart.

  ‘Arianna, do you like me? Do you feel the same way I do about you...?’

  ‘I like you but Nikhil; to start something...I don’t know.’

  ‘You don’t need to decide anything yet. You like me, that is all that matters for now,’ he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them.

  Arianna closed her eyes, her heart fluttering.

  ‘Nikhil, is this – ’

  ‘Shhh.’

  He tilted her face to his and slowly touched his lips to hers, gently biting. Arianna trembled within and soon she was kissing back. She did not want this moment to end.

  ‘We must pace ourselves, Ari. We must not get ahead,’ he said pulling away from her, breathing hard.

  ‘I am so embarrassed,’ said Arianna, blushing hard.

  ‘Why? I’m not,’ Nikhil kissed her on the lips again.

  The drive back to Mumbai was a thoughtful one for Arianna. She could not stop her worries, and doubts of a relationship with Nikhil made her restless.

  Nikhil looked at her, questioning her with his eyes. Arianna shook her head. She leaned against him, taking his hand and let her doubts vanish as she concentrated on the present. She was...happy.

  ANJALI

  ELEVEN

  ‘This is the haveli?’ Anjali looked scornfully at the devastation before her.

  This haveli was not fit to live in. Broken bricks lay in a heap against a large tree and a burnt motorcar lay on its side a few feet away. The stone wall was crumbling. This vast haveli was perhaps impressive in its time but Partition had seen to that.

  She stepped over the rubble and walked to the entrance, which consisted of a splintered black, wooden door.

  ‘Mohan ji, we cannot live here,’ she said.

  ‘Anjali ji, this is a good haveli. We can fix it with some hard work. It will be our home.’

  ‘No,’ Anjali shook her head. ‘Absolutely not.’

  ‘Please, think about it. Where are we going to find somewhere to live as well as this?’

  Anjali tried the door – it was unlocked. She was not surprised to see newspapers littering the ground and the garden in mayhem. If the outside looked this way, what must the interior be like? Anjali shivered at the thought.

  ‘We are lucky to find a splendid haveli,’ Mohan continued with his hands on his hips. He gazed up in admiration. ‘There's even space for Chameli.’

  He pointed to the back of the haveli. Anjali saw no shelter for the poor animal. Mohan seemed to read her thoughts.

  ‘We will build a shelter for her in time. She will be happy.’

  ‘I’m not sure...’ began Anjali.

  ‘Anjali ji...we can do this – together. We can make this our home. Will you join me?’ Mohan held out a hand. Anjali reluctantly took it.

  Anjali and Mohan arrived in Lucknow a few hours ago, searching for a dwelling to call home. A few abandoned they saw but Mohan refused to settle. He wanted something else – something special. He was positive they would find the right one.

  The city of Lucknow resembled a ghost town as they travelled through, not a soul
seen. The smell of acrid smoke lingered everywhere and the extent of damage devastating – a black spot that ripped families apart. Closed shops and offices, singed shutters and broken glass completed the shocking picture.

  Anjali’s stomach rumbled and she unpacked the food they brought from the camp. She ate sparingly, making sure she left some for Mohan. They came to a man who was cooking corn and nuts on an open fire. The smell made Anjali’s mouth water and she asked Mohan to stop.

  ‘Bhaiya (brother), please give us two corn sticks and some channa (roasted nuts),’ said Mohan.

  The man served them.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Mohan.

  ‘You are not from here,’ the man observed.

  ‘No we have come from afar...we are looking for a place for a large family...can you help?’

  Large family? But it was just her and Mohan...did he have family he wanted to bring? Anjali listened intently as her heart fluttered in fear.

  ‘There is a haveli not far from here,’ replied the man. ‘The last owners fled during the partition riots and the building is badly damaged.’

  ‘Did you say it was a haveli?’ asked Mohan. ‘Can you tell me where it is?’

  Anjali walked into the gloom and saw the wreckage. A room once used for entertainment now lay in a mess. Upturned tables and chairs, ornaments scattered, and thick layers of dust coated the once red rug and furnishings.

  She walked from room to room and discovered the disturbance mainly downstairs. The upstairs rooms, although full of dust were in immaculate condition. Anjali smiled bitterly at the irony; she was to be the Memsahib of a haveli but after much devastation and pain...

  ‘Anjali ji...oh!’

  Anjali wiped her tears. Mohan embraced her and kissed her forehead. She cried into his shirt feeling foolish. She should not find all this surprising or upsetting. Nothing could change the past, however horrible.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Anjali blinked back more tears.

  ‘You keep saying that, yet you still cry?’ Mohan lifted her chin. ‘I know it is hard but we have to come to terms with what happened here. Now listen to me, we will build this haveli together, and it will be home – our home.’