Love In The Misty Mountains

By Ruvena Sanyal

She stood at the very edge of the cliff, looking over into what seemed to be the deepest abyss of darkness. Just one more step and it would be over. And all of the hurt and pain would just flow away, as she floated, in freefall, into oblivion. "Hello," he said. Startled, she almost fell over and gasped as he put his hand out to steady her. She moved away from the edge, avoiding his touch, looking at him with wary eyes. "Be careful. You're too close to the edge." He smiled then, as if to reassure her. She hesitated, then smiled in return. That smile! Starting in her eyes, spreading slowly over her gentle features and ending at her mouth. Such a soulful smile. "Can you tell me how to get to C--- "he asked.

She nodded, and beckoning him to follow her, started walking down the narrow path. The moon peeped out of the clouds, and started a slow dreamy waltz across the sky. Her hair shimmered in the moonlight as she led the way, occasionally looking back to make sure he was following her. He kept his distance, and since she did not offer any conversation, was content to follow her silently. But she was small, tiny even, like a frail child-woman. With his long strides he soon caught up with her, and whenever he felt she wasn’t looking, stole a glance or two. In the moonlight, her skin was like alabaster. There was that look of pain and hurt again, in her eyes. Somehow, he felt he wanted to reach out but he didn’t. He just walked silently along, and soon they reached the little town. He held out his hand, saying," Thank you so much. I would have been lost without you. " She smiled but did’nt take his hand, nor did she reply. He turned to go, waving cheerfully as he walked away, then stopped and looking back, asked, "You live around here? " She nodded and smiled, and his heart thumped in his chest. Turning, she pointed to a cottage at the end of the road. He nodded, smiled and waved as he walked away. ----------------

One evening, almost a week after he had settled into his new life, he took a stroll down the main street, taking in the sights and sounds of the little town he had been assigned to. He had been reluctant to come. It was so far away from home, with not too many amenities and he had wondered what he would do there in his spare time. "You'll make friends!", said Amma. Dad smiled, “You'll find a bunch of kids to play football with, I'm sure!" "Or, "said his sister with a cheeky grin, "He'll find a special someone and she'll steal his heart....love in the misty mountains!", she teased. He tried to pull her ear but she ran away laughing. He smiled at the memory. Strange, that she should have been so close to the truth. As he strolled along, he thought of the girl he had seen the night he arrived. To be honest, he thought sheepishly, she had been on his mind a lot lately. He could not forget her face, the way her hair swung back and forth, sometimes hiding, sometimes revealing her gentle features. Her face had held so much sorrow as she stood at the cliff edge. He had wanted to hold her then, tell her that everything would be okay. He had reached out to pull her back, but she had moved away before he touched her, those sad eyes staring at him like a frightened deer. He wanted to meet her again, know her story, know her. He found himself at the crossing where he'd left her. As if on their own, his feet turned towards the cottage she had pointed out. Now, in the bright light of day, it looked shabby, and a little dilapidated. The garden was untidy, more weeds than plants. He stood at the gate for a while, wondering whether he should just knock and enter, unannounced and uninvited. Would she be pleased to see him? Would that soulful smile light up her face the way it did that night? "May I help you? ". He was startled, and turned to find an old man standing beside him. He hesitated, then spoke, " I am new in town. Last week, I met the young lady who lives here. I thought I'd call on her. Is she home? " The wrinkled old eyes looked suspiciously at him. "The young lady who lives here? Are you sure?" the old man asked.

" Yes, of course! A week ago, I got off the bus on the highway and thought I was headed in the right direction. But it was very dark and I must have taken the wrong turn somewhere. Anyway, I got lost. I met her at the cliff. She showed me the way into town...."He stopped, as he saw the old man's eyes widen, in shock…. or maybe something else? "Is something wrong?" he asked. "The young lady who lived here..." said the old man softly. "Oh, she doesn't, anymore? Did she leave? When did....." Then he stopped. Somehow, he knew as he silently followed the old man into the cottage. He felt no surprise as he looked at the framed photograph on the wall, only a deep profound sadness.

“She was the most beautiful girl in town. Many were the hearts she broke when she fell in love with a cocky young army officer. That cliff was their rendezvous. A week after they were married, he left for the War. She waited for him, but he never came….instead, she got a letter saying he was missing in action, feared dead…That’s when she must have…...” the old man’s eyes were looking into the distance as his voice broke.

“Did he return,” he asked.

“Yes,said the old man, “I did…”

By Ruvena Sanyal