Last winter vacation, I went to my grandma’s house in a village near the mountains. Where I loved to go. We went there in the morning when there was a layer of winter fog in the fields. I was very happy to go there every year or after six months as I am a nature lover. I especially loved the white mountains and the deep and dark forest. In the evening I went for a walk to feel the beauty of nature. I went to the woods, there was a long river, originating from the mountains. I sat on the bank and dipped my legs in the cold water, it was clear as crystal. Then I hear the sound of a girl from behind “Stop, Pinky, stop, Sunhari” running behind the two goats to catch them. She was a girl from another village on the other side of the mountain. She had dark skin, blue eyes and The sound of her anklets spread throughout the forest. She came towards the river, sat next to me and asked “What is your name?” I saw her and said smiling “ Arun, and your name?” She got up and said “Radhika”.
We sat there for around half an hour. Then she got up and took her goats and went on her way home calling the goats and disappeared into the deep woods. Then I went home whistling and thinking about the mountain girl.
Next morning I went to the woods for a walk. I went to the same river where I met the ‘Radhika’, I sat there and waited for her, and then I heard the sound of the anklet. I turned my head and saw her running behind the goats. She came towards me and sat next to me talking about our family, the forest, laughing. After around one hour we talked. Around half of my winters, I went there and met her, but never went to her family.
One day, I went there but I couldn’t find her. I waited but she did not come. I thought she must be ill, or out of station. The next day I again went to the river hoping to find her but again she did not come. Around one week I didn’t find her. One day I find a boy there resting with with the same goats that she had. I went near the boy and asked him “Where is Radhika?” he opened his eyes and saw me in a confused manner and said, “ Radhika, how do you know her?”
“Nothing, we are friends”
He took a deep breath and said “ Radhika, is not here, she died four months ago” I was completely shocked that how I met her just a month ago.
Then I went home and the next day we left the place as my vacation was coming to an end. We arrived at the railway station. “Mother, I want samosas (Indian snacks)” I said, pointing to the cart of Indian snacks. “ Ok, you have ten rupees in your pocket,” Mother said. I went there and bought samosas and when I paid the bill I fell some clothes in my pocket, it was a handkerchief. I paid the bill and when I opened the handkerchief I found a name written ‘Radhika’ I was completely shocked. As it was given by her when I had a cough and I forgot to give it back.
I thought that she died four months ago then how I have her handkerchief.
“Hurry up Arun,” mother said. I went to the train and said to myself “I Know, she was alive and with me.
February, 2025
