Technicolour Dreams - II

It was pitch black by the time we reached our camp site, as soon as we stepped out of the comfort of our car, there were flies and mosquitoes buzzing all over us. The sound of crickets, the hooting of the owls and with the shadow of the night falling on us, we felt being watched all the way. Just then we heard the rattling of a rattle snake, that was the last straw, we dropped our bags right there and ran towards the camp. Our driver, John just burst out laughing, he was like, 'After kangaroos, rattle snakes are the most common thing on this continent, so better get used to it!!' Aanya was not pleased by his attitude, she said to me, "Let him come to India and I’ll make him sleep with King cobras and then let’s see who’s laughing!!"

The camp site was more of a secluded spot in the woods, the only notable difference was that there was a huge bonfire right in the centre and there were others like us who had arrived just before us. Our friendly neighborhood driver introduced us. There was a young German couple, two super hunks from the US and a lone girl from Sweden.

Sometimes I wonder why Indians don’t ever have the courage to just go backpacking on their own. What really stops us? Why can’t we just take a break from work for one complete year and just go explore the world and do what we want. I ask Aanya the same thing, and according to her it’s more to do with our culture and responsibility towards the family and how we like to save each penny for a rainy day.

And just in the middle of that discussion Aanya pops out, "I think I have a teeny weenie crush on the white guy".

I had to somehow control my emotions and not show it to her that it really bothered me and it meant anything to me.

I spoke like a typical macho guy, "You want me to head over there and ask him out for you??"

Aanya now all blushing "Don be mad, I was just kidding and wanted to see your reaction"

I was like "WTF, why would you do that?"

Aanya "Just for fun, leave it"

What with these women, when they say it’s the end, that means it’s the END, if you say anything after that, it will only start a new fight or you will labeled as pushy, So I just put my tail between my legs and just let go of that topic.

Our hosts had provided us with our individual tents and there were arrangements made where we could just freshen ourselves by the campsite. The mood was festive in the camp and our hosts had arranged for a small revelry with barbequed lamb and wine flowing freely. After dinner we just sat there eating melted marshmallows by the bonfire and it was so magical to have Aanya by my side at that precise instant. I could just go on looking at her forever if I was given the opportunity but I had to settle for stealing some sideways glances. .

(To be continued...)