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Nisha sat in the balcony of a room at Carlton Hotel. On a wheel chair. Viewing the pristine lake of Kodaikanal, a small town in the hills of the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It was cool and Nisha wore a light black and white sweater. The lake changed colours as the day progressed.
Nisha observed that the sky was crystal blue early in the morning. Always. And the afternoons always became overcast and misty. The lake was deep blue in the morning which changed to a dull grey, almost blackish by the evening.
Kodaikanal had a cool tropical climate. It was the best destination Raj and Nisha could go to under the circumstances. Nisha was concerned—who would take care of Julia when they’re gone?
Raj thought and came up with a solution. His younger cousin who also lived in Mumbai was a real dog lover. And he could take care of Julia for a few days. So Raj had asked him and he agreed. Now Nisha could travel without feeling guilty. Julia was in safe hands.
The clouds descended over the green mountains. Everything appeared to be suspended in that air—the clouds and the mountains.
Nisha was in bliss. She called Raj to the balcony and squeezed his arms gently.
“There is a very nice pavement constructed along the shores of the lake. It’s a shame I cannot walk. I really hope I get well soon so that I can take a walk with you around the lake enjoying its beauty,” said Nisha.
Raj kept his hand on her back. To comfort her. He was glad that Nisha was talking about getting well—there was still hope.
Nisha was very fond of chocolates. And Kodaikanal was famous for its local chocolate. So Raj went to the shop alone. What a pity, Nisha couldn’t come. And bought her some local chocolates to taste.
“Would you like to try some?” asked Raj.
“Why not?” said Nisha.
She took a few pieces of the chocolate in her mouth and let them melt. Slowly. The taste was bitter. Like some chemical. Yet Nisha closed her eyes and tried to imagine the original taste of chocolate.
Raj knew that Nisha could no longer enjoy even the small pleasures of life.
He cleared his throat to speak:
“We can take a boat ride. If you are ready. This way you can enjoy the lake without walking,” said Raj.
Nisha’s eyes lit up. She nodded. It was a little overcast; so both Raj and Nisha wore their rainproof windcheaters.
Raj slowly dragged the wheelchair to the lift and they soon reached the lobby. The hotel staff was extremely helpful.
The hotel was located right on the shores of the lake. It even had its own boats which offered free rides to its guests. A man helped Raj and Nisha hop on to a wooden boat and off they went rowing.
Nisha enjoyed the splashing sound. The cool breeze soothed her. It was such a refreshing change from Mumbai’s hot tropical climate that made her skin sweaty and oily.
The rower took them to the other edge of the lake.
“Look there is a blue lotus,” said the man pointing towards the edge of the lake.
Raj and Nisha had never seen a blue lotus in their lives. And there it was. Shining light blue. As if it was transported from a magical world. Did it have healing powers? Raj wondered.
Raj took out his digital camera and clicked pictures of the blue lotus. Nisha looked around. The monsoon season was a lean season and so there weren’t many people around. The town looked very quiet. Very British.
The town was constructed by the British some hundred and eighty years ago. British officers who were posted in Southern India frequently came to Kodaikanal to escape the tropical heat.
The lake too was artificially created by the British by damming a local rivulet. Its water was clean. The city’s drinking water came from the lake.
The white clouds descended and the hills became misty again. Nisha wondered—what was heaven like? Was the weather good there? Did clouds float over mountain tops?
No, heaven could never be this good. She had reached the conclusion. That is because, without Raj, heaven could no longer be heaven. What will she do there without him? Without her love?
Eternal separation actually sounded more painful than dying.
The clouds darkened. The rower feared the rain and suddenly turned the boat towards the hotel. It became dark.
Raj felt that the darkness was soon going to engulf their happiness. It was taking Nisha far away from him. For the first time he feared that he may lose Nisha—soon. His days with Nisha were numbered.
