Like any other day for the past thirteen years Shivam Das opened the shutters of his STD booth at sharp 8 am in Gaurikund, Rudraprayag. His shop which additionally, sold local handicrafts, religious souvenirs was very popular, must visit for tourist. He also had several lockers and cloak room in his shop which he would rent out to the tourist. Gaurikund is the base camp for trek and pilgrims to Kedarnath Temple, which is about 16 Km uphill, and is a Hindu pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand, the last motor-able point. It is customary in peak summer season for tourist, on way to Kedarnath deposit their luggage and belonging is local cloak rooms.

Awaiting customers, Shivam was reading the local newspaper, when he saw a very familiar face enter his shop. His heart suddenly skipped a beat as he instantly recognized Roma the most beautiful girl of her class of 2000. Shivam was tall, more than 6 feet, dark, handsome and had the most beautiful pair of cat eyes in class. He had shared the stage with her when they were both voted as Mr and Miss CMS in the farewell organised by their juniors in the school auditorium. The twelve years of acquaintance in school bonding was little more than "classmate" but Shivam never expressed it to Roma.

Reminisce about past events with a bittersweet nostalgia came flashing by....
Shivam Das left home at the age of 17, on November 9, 2000, the same day the state of Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. A "troubled life of parents" can encompass various challenges, including strained relationships, financial difficulties, mental health struggles. He could not bear the constant fights his parents indulged in. Staying at home or continuing further studies was impossible. He packed his bag and just fled leaving Lucknow for ever. After trying out odd jobs for a year he finally opened a STD booth in Gaurikund. It was quite profitable so much so that within a couple of years he had made huge reserve and with the help of local bank finance bought a small house for himself. Despite being a hilly region, the fact is that even the districts of Kumaon and Garhwal region were more prosperous and educated than any district of Uttar Pradesh. Most of the people in Uttarakhand are either employed in the army or government jobs.
Of late he had received several proposals for marriage but he had lost faith in the institution because of his traumatic past, he choose to remain single.

Roma glanced at Shivam and instantly recognised him....
So much has happened in the last thirteen years since she last met him. In school she was a secret admirer of Shivam and his multi talents. However, she never had courage to express it. They both enjoyed each other’s company and often spend time with a close exclusive gang of friends in and after school. Roma went on to do her Engineering from VIT, Vellore. She joined Wipro in Bangalore where she met Kuntal her senior and in 2008 they tied the knot. Ambition to excel, hard work, love and mutual respect made them quickly rise and they soon moved to Hyderabad.

Roma closely followed by Kuntal entered Shivam STD shop by chance..

"What a pleasant surprise it is to see you Shivam" Roma instantly recognised and extended her hand towards him.

"Oh so long....., but you look almost the same, good to see you" Shivam shook her hand.

Kuntal who followed Roma was quickly introduced to Shivam.

"It is our 5th Marriage anniversary, today 15th June, and we are on way to Kedarnath Temple"

Shivam ordered for tea on phone and they both exchanged what had transpired in the last thirteen years, since they had last met.

"This is my Visiting Card, when you come to Hyderabad you must visit us" Kuntal passed his card to Shivam

Kunal Kant
Principal Software Engineer
Microsoft India Private Limited
Address:
101, Roma Mansion
Sri Ram Nagar Colony
Banjara Hills
Contact : 8234570001

"Are there any safe locker room where we can put our belongings?" Roma Inquired.

" We want to travel light for darshan, will return on 16th or 17th" she quickly added.

Sivam replied "you can leave it with me and collect it when you return."

But as fate would have it Roma and Kuntal never returned.......
The Kedarnath cloudburst and subsequent devastating floods occurred on June 16-17, 2013, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life in Uttarakhand. Landslides, due to the floods, damaged several houses and structures, killing those who were trapped. The river Mandakini had caused massive damage at Gaurikund. The river has almost a vertical descent from Kedarnath up to Gaurikund, from where its gradient somewhat decreased. The death toll was later placed at 6,054. This total included 934 local residents. Destruction of bridges and roads left about 300,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in the valleys. Paramilitary troops evacuated more than 110,000 people from the flood-ravaged area. The stranded pilgrims and tourists were without rations or survived on little food. Even after a week, dead bodies had not been removed from Kedarnath town, resulting in water contamination in the Kedarnath valley and villagers who depend on spring water suffered various types of health problems such as fever and diarrhea. Several thousand soldiers were deployed for the rescue missions.

Shivam survived. His house was swept away by the flash floods. His shop somehow withstood with minor damage. He was in shock, the devastation was unparalleled and he was busy in helping the needy. He along with activists of political and social organisations were involved in the rescue and management of relief centres which provided food. Time flew and in more than a couple of months life slowly came back to normal as aid package and disaster relief from International and national government poured in. Roads and infrastructure took longer time to operate, a couple of years.

Not a single date had passed when Shivam had not remembered Roma and Kuntal. The luggage left behind in his shop, locker reminded him of them. He has preserved the visiting card which Kuntal gave him. His priorities were at the moment providing rescue to the homeless. The pilgrims who had deposited belonging in his shop never returned. After a couple of months he lost hope. As soon as contact was resumed he tried calling the numbers one by one but he drew a blank.

Meanwhile N. Chandrababu Naidu TDP chief, hurried to Dehradun by a special aircraft to undertake rescue operations for pilgrims in the state. He carried 196 stranded pilgrims back to safety and arranged buses for their commute back to their destinations.

Shivam everyday made it a point to call Kuntal’s number but there was no response. His hope slowly changed to despair. The luggage reminded him of Roma and Kuntal. Uneasy lies the head when you shoulder responsibility. One fine morning six month later in November 2013 Shivam with the belongings of Roma and and Kuntal, decided to visit Hyderabad.

Banjara Hills is an urban commercial centre and one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Hyderabad. Outside "Roma Mansion" with his heart full of trepidation he pressed the doorbell. Shivam quickly observed a couple of luxury cars parked in her garage. Roma in her silk nightie opened the door and stood speechless when she saw Shivam. Shock replaced hope as her facial emotions changed quickly. She quickly welcomed Shivam inside her majestic bungalow as soon as when she recovered. She was as charming as ever Shivam could not but help admiring her.

"The bag has some clothes and little cash only and we completely forgot about it. It is so kind of you to return." Roma remarked taking the bag from Shivam.

"I am so happy to see you fit and fine. I will take your leave Roma. Thank God both of you survived the ordeal. By the way where is Kuntal? I tried to call him but his number is switched off." Shivam was rather breathless when he said all of it in one go.

"Kuntal is on official work to Mumbai. Will return next week. But you cannot leave. Please stay with us. I assume this is your maiden visit to Hyderabad. Let me show you the town. Please take rest and after lunch we will go shopping and sight-seeing. Hyderabad after all is a great city"
Roma replied and took Shivam’s hand and almost dragged him to the guest room. Designer bed, curtains and the entire ambiance was beyond Shivam's comprehension. When he stepped on the fluffy carpet Shivam could not but help controlling his unprecedented experience of emotions.

"Please shower and rest till I prepare lunch. See you." Roma left.

For the last thirty hours Shivam has been travelling, the bus, train and taxi journey was hectic and his body was asking for rest. After quick shower Shivam slept....like a dead log. He must have slept for more than three four hours when he opened his eyes it was already dusk. Roma was standing in front all dressed up in western outfit looking ravishing.

Shivam sheepishly jumped out of bed and they head to the dining table on which a four course meal was served. He simply devoured whatever was offered to him. Hunger is the best sauce they say.

Kuntal called while Shivam was having lunch and Roma put the phone on speaker mode.

"Hello Kutal, how are you?"

" I am good"

" Roma texted me: "you have come all the way to return our belonging, so kind of you". please be our guest and wait till I return.

" Thank you but that is a long time I will return in couple of days" Shivam remarked. The call ended abruptly.

Next 24 hours was like a dream. Roma had applied for leave in office and they painted the city red, in her Audi A6 automatic transmission.
In between they belted memories of school, friends, life and success. God had been kind to both Kuntal and Roma year after year they have quickly risen the corporate ladder and success was evident from their lifestyle. Corporate success did not allow them to plan kids. But Roma had no regrets.
They had dinner in Taj Falaknuma Palace before returning home past midnight. Shivam was on cloud nine. He had no idea of what life is beyond Gaurikund. Roma had purchased night suit along with expensive clothes, belts tie, perfume for Shivam which he accepted with heavy heart after lots of persuasion.

Before going to bed they finished single malt together belting the memories of good all days spend in school. Shivam did not realise when he passed out....
He woke up early in the morning before Sun rise only to realise that Roma was sleeping beside her. She was looking charming in her revealing pink night suit. Shivam was trying to reconcile to the situation, suddenly he found Roma was awake, with a swift movement, before Shivam could realise she drew him and kissed. Shivam lost control and they made love.....not once but thrice within a span of couple of hours. Exhausted he went back to sleep.

Shivam woke up at noon. Quickly took shower and went to the dining table.

Roma was her normal self as if nothing had happened. She quickly showed Shivam the air ticket she had purchased online. It was a air ticket for Shivam, Hyderabad to Dehradun the following day. So they had twenty-four hours together. They made love like mad a couple of times during the day as well as all the night.

"My driver will leave you at the airport. I have already packed your bag and kept in the car." tears was rolling down her eyes, when Roma remarked.
Shivam was searching for words but could not muster courage to speak. He kept quite.

" I always admired you in school but life has it own way. After school I moved to Vellore and slowly our roads led us to different paths."
" Kuntal not only loves me but also is excellent in bed, it was moments of weakness which led us to a couple of days stand."
"Shivam, my only request is keep this beautiful time spend together to yourself. Do not disclose it to any of our classmates or Kuntal they will fail to understand us. It was mutual and consensual so please do not have any regrets." Roma concluded.

Shivam left Roma briefly planting a kiss.


25th December 2021

Shivam was pleasantly surprised when he read the name on the mobile when it rang...
Roma.....
"Where are you?" before Shivam could respond she continued.
I will send you air tickets.
Can you come to Hyderabad? Roma sounded weak and frantic.....

It has been more than eight years since Shivam visited Hyderabad. It was hard forgetting the visit. The couple of days spend was fresh in his memory but life must go on. He tried hard to forget but to no avail. Slowly with time Shivam disposed off whatever he had earned in Gaurikund. Before covid lockdown in 2020 Shivam had shifted back to Lucknow in Gomti Nagar his parent’s house. He lost both his parents in quick succession to Covid pandemic.

"How is Kuntal?. Where is he"? Shivam enquired.
Kuntal could not survive the covid attack and he is no more we lost him last year.

"I am in Lucknow, shifted last year." Shivam updated.
" I will whatsapp your air ticket for tomorrow please come to Hyderabad."

Not again... was his initial reaction. Roma is crazy what does the women want now.
The Indigo flight landed at Hyderabad airport on time. Roma had send her driver to receive Shivam.

When he reached "Roma Mansion" he was greeted by a cat eyed dark handsome seven year old Shiva whom Roma introduced as "your son".