The Banyan Tree 

I vividly remember the day when my father told us that we are moving out of the country . The sky came shattering  down on me . The first thing that came to my mind was my gali ( small lane ) friends . In a lane of 150-200m , I had few friends , we would  play every evening  and during holidays ......the whole day. They were my besties . I did not want to leave them . I wanted  to stay in my hometown ‘Jhumori Talaya ‘ , for all my life. A small place with a long summer followed by longer monsoon  and very little winter season.  Me ‘ Vanchuvangdru’ , loved to get wet in the rain and make paper boats . I dream a lot and love to weave stories as well . My favourite dream ….. me as a  superhero and fighting with evil creatures.

We were to leave the following summer , after my final exams . Now the biggest challenge for my parents was sorting my sister’s and my room. We didn't want to let go of any of our stuff … books , toys etc. With a lot of haggling , we agreed upon donating some of the things. 

After a short flight , we landed on a tiny airport .It was pretty hot and humid . But I didn't mind , I wanted to explore the new place. 

Soon we were settled in a house near my new school

Time flew very fast , it was the beginning of winter now. Today , on the weekend , we set off for a long drive. My mother carried a picnic basket and we took our toys etc. We were enjoying the ride in the pleasant weather of November.My father impromptu suggested we go to The Banyan tree . I immediately took out my iPad and googled ….. 

It was a lovely drive as it started drizzling. We were singing , playing atlas and eating. There was nothing for miles ahead. Excitement was building up  as we were to reach the place . I just spotted a couple of bushes, lizards and spiders . The terrain was rocky . Amazingly, there was a proper road all through. 

Ah ! atlast after a 40 minutes drive we spotted The Banyan . It was pretty green, and a little rain had washed the sand settled on it . It looked very welcoming as if the branches were extending to greet us . I felt like The  Tree had winked at me …..

My father had parked the car a bit away from the tree because we wanted to walk and enjoy the breeze . We got off and stood there for a while to look around and absorb the stark nature. As we started to walk , my mother suggested that we should take the picnic basket along.

Then there was a gust of wind and my eyes got closed for an instant . When I opened my eyes what I saw , moved earth beneath my feet . My family had disappeared and even the car was not there . I called for everyone but no answer. I was scared to death and started running here and there. Suddenly , I felt like I was sinking …..Oh my God ! It was quick sand . I couldn't even scream and was going in faster in the process of resisting. As if this was not enough, I saw a big spider coming towards me …… I screamed guts out and closed my eyes. I felt something sucked me in ……

When I opened my eyes , it was dark and I felt something soft and squishy beneath. As it took a couple of seconds for the pupil to adjust , I could faintly see now . There were lizards all around , I jumped on a nearby rock , trying to shoo away the creatures who were coming closer. I closed my eyes and started saying prayer my mother taught me …….

And then something held my arms and pulled me up. I opened my eyes when I felt a breeze on my face . I was relieved , I was out . But soon I realised the thing that held me were  the branches of the tree……. out of the frying pan into the fire . The branches took me in the narrow, dark , stinky hollow of the tree. I experienced free fall….While I was falling , I could hear some voices . Oh! It was my mother …… ‘Vanchu , get up ….. it’s late ….. we have to go……’ Next thing , I opened eyes on the bed in my room with my mother sitting beside me . I hugged her tight . I got startled when my father announced that we are going to The Banyan Tree. I told them about my dream . They consoled me and said that we'll  go with some friends . And suggested  that I should remain in the car with my mother , till others get down and check the place . We had a memorable picnic, indeed .

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