She had just been through her years of infancy when a glimpse of her ingenuous beauty met naïve eyes of a young student. It had a deep impact on my immature soul—much deeper may it seem now on retrospection! Aimlessly we strolled together through some anonymous alleyways and spent some silent hours of delight before it was time to part. We parted knowing not when we would meet again, sooner or later, or never.

Time went by and pretty long years had already contributed me grey hairs and bleary eyes. It was my childhood friend and beloved wife who once dropped the idea of visiting her whom she had never met. It was quite a brief vacation for my younger kid who had been pursuing residential schooling in Darjeeling. The idea was perfect enough. And, the flicker eventually ignited my hidden desire aflame for the tryst. I remained muted while memories burnt through a flashback run. Yes, we did meet again. And, we kept on meeting again and again by only months separating. Unnoticed the bond grew stronger and stronger. Amidst tiring dins of daily chores, she remained a source of deliverance for us; forgiving and comforting ever.

Should I unveil her identity? Surely, Should I?

It’s beautiful Sikkim—the land of smiling people—the land of whispering prayer flags—the treasure of unscathed humane society—the land of unbound beauties of the nature. It is the land of mystic splendour!