Tim and Amy

Suddenly Amy pointed at the cleft. "There?" she asked.

We followed her gaze. Through the gap in the peaks came first one, then a few, then a stream of birds, pulling into a V formation as they cleared the mountains.

"Migrating cranes," I explained.

Laura gasped, and pointed higher in the sky. Two larger shapes were circling, and one dived on the stream of birds, soaring upwards again with its prey clutched in its talons.

"Mountain hawk-eagles hunting," I said. "Not many people ever see this."

Tim's mouth was open in astonishment. "Gosh, Sarah, thank you for bringing us – this is amazing!"

We watched the birds until the V was out of sight, and the two eagles had finished their meal and departed.

"Now for the next part of the surprise," I said.

We returned to the plane, and once again I went forward, the plane literally swooping into the valley from the end of the short runway before gaining height. We headed south, landing again on the plain, and stepped off the plane into the heat, not needing our fleeces at the lower altitude.

The jeep I'd arranged met us, and we drove for a few minutes. Suddenly over the horizon ahead loomed a huge rock, its sheer sides rising perhaps a thousand feet into the air. It was surrounded by gardens and water channels, and in the distance at the base of the rock we could see what looked like the beginning of a flight of stone steps.

The jeep stopped and we got out. "What do you think?" I asked.

"Incredible!" Tim said. "How did it get here?"

"It's a magma plug from an extinct volcano," I explained. "The softer rock surrounding it has eroded, leaving it exposed. It's been used as a fortress and palace for thousands of years."

We walked through the gardens, surprisingly green in such a hot climate.

"Water is brought here through underground conduits," I said. "The engineering is surprisingly sophisticated."

We reached the base of the rock. "Do we have to climb all these steps?" Tim asked.

I smiled. "No – there's a lift with an open cage. It takes us right up to the frescoes."

"Frescoes?" asked Amy.

"One of the main things for which this place is famous," I explained. "Some of them are quite, ahem, explicit."

We got into the lift, and it rose up the rock, stopping by an overhang. We peered across at the painted frescoes, sheltered from the elements by their position.

"I see what you mean by explicit," grinned Laura. She looked more closely. "I recognise some of what they're doing from the Kama Sutra, but one or two of them... Well, let's just say I hadn't thought you could do some of those things."

"We'd better get back down before you think too much about the possibilities," Tim teased.

The lift took us to the bottom again. This time we walked around the rock, and Tim looked surprised to see a small gazebo erected in an open space.

"I arranged lunch," I said, smiling. We sat, and were served various dishes, including ices.

"Hadn't realised that I missed ice cream," grinned Laura, eating hers with obvious enjoyment.

After lunch we explored the gardens, and the girls started an impromptu game of hide and seek among the ruins.

As the sun was dropping in the sky, I said regretfully, "Think we need to be getting back."

The jeep returned us to the jet, where the co-pilot met us on the steps.

"Had a good time?" he asked.

"Definitely – thanks for helping to pull this off for us, John," I said. "Don't forget, you get at least one dance with me and with each of the girls at the wedding."

He grinned. "Looking forward to it. Now, back to Kalaikunda?"

"I'm afraid so," I said.

We took off, and soon landed again at the familiar airstrip, surprisingly without the usual flyby from the IAF MiG's.

"Now you'll need to go and change," I said. "Commander Sridhar has invited us to dinner at the club tonight."

The jeep took us back to the bungalow and the girls and Tim changed, while I stayed in my uniform. We walked over to the club, and the commander greeted us.

"Congratulations for tomorrow," he said. "Sadly I won't be able to go, but I think Sarah told you my car is taking you there."

"Thank you," Tim said. "We're very grateful."

We enjoyed the sumptuous meal that the commander had organised for us, and to the obvious pleasure of the assembled staff, I gave a short speech in Hindi.

I returned to my seat, and explained, "I was just thanking them for all their help and kindness to me over the past few years, and telling them that even though we won't be living on the base any more, I'm very much looking forward to continuing to work with them. I know they'll be pleased to see all of us whenever you and the girls want to visit the base, use the facilities at the club."

Tim grinned. "I'm sure there are one or two of the pilots who will be more than happy to see Amy and Laura playing tennis or swimming; I hope they won't be too disappointed when we tell them they're not in with a chance."

I shrugged. "There are several of the local girls who'll be grateful to Laura and Amy for not poaching, so it goes both ways."

When the meal was over, we returned to the bungalow, and Amy and Laura quickly packed for their stay at Amrit and Anjali's.

"We'll pick up the rest of our stuff after next week, assuming they get the house finished."

"I'm sure they will," Tim said. "It's a matter of honour for them now they've given us a date."

We went to bed early, though we could hear the girls talking for a long time afterwards, obviously too excited to sleep. I went to sleep quickly, worn out from our very full day. Tim held me close, and I drifted off still seeing birds floating above snow-capped mountains.

***

In the morning I woke with a delicious feeling of anticipation. I hugged Tim, and he turned to face me and kissed me, still sleepy.

"It's finally here," I said. He smiled.

We got up and washed, then Tim went to wake the girls. They took over the bathroom while Tim and I went to sit on the verandah. Sita brought breakfast, then disappeared.

"She's gone to get ready," I explained. "She'll clear up when she gets back."

The girls came out, and we started to eat.

"Make a good meal," I suggested. "I don't really know how long the ceremony is, so it might be a bit late before we get to eat."

When we'd finished, I said, "Tim, you'll have to find something to occupy yourself while the girls and I get ready."

We went into the girls' room, while Tim stayed sitting on the verandah.

After a while I reappeared with the girls. I was wearing my usual Indian tunic and trousers, and the girls wore similar outfits, but Tim's attention was caught once more by the change wrought by makeup and hair colour.

"You all look fantastic," he said.

"It really makes us feel like we belong here," said Amy.

Tim heard the sound of an engine approaching at the front of the house, and looked.

"You have got to be kidding," he said, looking at the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom that had pulled up outside.

I chuckled. "I told you there were perks."

The driver opened the car door for us, and we climbed into the spacious interior. The car pulled away smoothly, and we were soon gliding towards the village.

A piece of open ground at the side of the house had been prepared for the wedding ceremony. The whole space was overshadowed by red fabric supported on bamboo poles, rows of chairs filled most of the space below, and a platform had been erected at the front for us to stand on when Amrit was actually performing the ceremony.

When we arrived at the house, Anjali whisked me and the girls off to get ready. Amrit took Tim into the house to change, then guided him to a seat at the front of the red-shaded space to wait.

Suddenly there was the blare of instruments – a far cry from the familiar Mendelssohn – and Tim turned to see me walking down the centre of the space, followed by Amy and Laura.

The girls wore richly embroidered salwar kameez, but Tim's eyes were fixed on me. I was clad in a deep red sari with golden embroidery, I wore an elaborate tracery of gold around my neck, and the traditional jewel rested on my forehead.

Amrit nudged Tim, and he stood up, facing forwards and waiting till I reached his side, followed by my bridesmaids. I reached my hand out to him and he took it, glancing down to notice the henna painted in elaborate patterns on my skin.

Amrit spoke briefly to the congregation, then addressed us.

"Just say Yes when he looks at you and asks a question," I prompted.

Amrit spoke to me first, and I answered. Then he spoke to Tim, and paused, waiting for his answer.

"Yes," Tim said, simply.

He spoke to me again. "We can make our own promises to one another in English now," I explained. "It doesn't have to be according to the English service."

Tim took a deep breath. "Sarah, I will always love you, always cherish you. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours. Even as a stranger in a strange land, where you go I will go, and nothing but death will part us."

A tear ran down my face as I replied, "I won't ever turn away from you. I worship you with my body, I love you with all my heart, and where you are, that's where I'll be."

I heard a quiet sob from Amy, and Laura put an arm round her shoulders.

Amrit spoke one final sentence.

"I think you can kiss me now," I said. Tim leaned over, trying not to smudge my makeup, and kissed me lightly on the lips.

The music started up again, and the girls wrapped their arms around us to hug us tightly. The congregation stood, and we led the way back towards the house. Sita reappeared and came with us to where the food was being served.

As we ate, Amrit came over with a young man and spoke briefly to me.

"This is the young man who it's been arranged for Sita to marry," I explained. Sita turned to him and smiled. He took her hand, and led her towards the food, taking a plate and serving her before himself.

"I think they'll be very happy," Tim said.

We took our time over the meal, then everything was cleared away for the dancing.

The traditional dancing was amazing, and Tim and I managed a few steps, copying Amrit and Anjali, then settled for swaying in each others' arms. True to my word, I danced with John, then released him to Amy and Laura with a light-hearted "Now treat him gently, girls."

I saw Sita dancing with her young man, an expression of contentment on her face.

After a while, Amrit approached and spoke to me. "It's traditional for us to leave quite early, though the festivities will go on for a while," I explained to Tim. "Amrit will make sure Sita gets back to us when everything's over, but she won't disturb us."

We made our way out to the car, and waved out of the back window at Amy, Laura, Sita, and all our friends.

***

We arrived back at the bungalow, and the Rolls pulled away. Tim grinned at me. "Here goes, Mrs Smith."

He scooped me into his arms and carried me through the screen door and into the hall.

"What are you stopping for?" I teased, my eyes twinkling. "Bedroom's that way."

He carried me through into the bedroom, and set me down on my feet.

My face became serious. "Undress me..."

***

The morning sun spilled in through the window and onto my face. I stirred, then stretched. "I know it sounds mundane, but I'm hungry."

"Well, yesterday we only ate lunch, really," Tim grinned. "I hope Sita made it back."

As if on cue, we heard a faint clatter from the kitchen.

"Sounds like breakfast," Tim said. "Shall we go and see what's cooking?"

I pulled on my nightdress. "I don't think I'll be needing this for the nights any more," I said, grinning, "but it comes in handy for around the house."

Tim put on his dressing gown, and we went out to the verandah. Sita brought our breakfast, pausing after she had set the dishes down. She looked at Tim shyly, then spoke. "I... thank... for... husband..."

She smiled tentatively, and I replied to her in Hindi. Sita nodded and went back into the kitchen.

We had our breakfast, then Tim asked me with a meaningful look, "Would you like a wash this morning?"

I nodded. "I think Sita has the water ready."

We went into the shower room, and I slipped my nightdress back off...

***

When we came out to the verandah, Sita brought us coffee.

"How long will it be before Sita gets married?" Tim asked.

"I don't think Amrit will hang about," I said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he arranges it for next week, pretty much as soon as we're in the new house."

Tim grinned. "The ink will barely be dry on our entry in the register."

"Anyway, what shall we do now?" I asked.

"How about a swim?" Tim suggested.

"Great idea." I pulled on Tim's dressing gown and went out to the bedroom.

"Hey, what about me?" Tim protested. "I'd look silly in your nightdress."

"Use a towel, dummy," I laughed.

We put on our swimming things and strolled over to the pool. I slipped gracefully into the water, and Tim sat on the edge of the pool with his feet dangling, watching me as I swam a few lengths.

"Come on in," I called.

He slid in, and we swam together for several more lengths, then splashed around in the shallow end.

***

The rest of our honeymoon days passed swiftly, our time divided mostly between swimming, tennis, short trips out to walk in the forest, and quiet meals together provided by Sita.

Early on the last evening, as we relaxed on the verandah, Tim asked me, "So what's the plan tomorrow? Shall we drop in on Amrit and see how things are going with the house?"

"Sounds good to me," I replied. "Do you think the girls have got on OK?"

"I'm sure they would have found a way to let us know if there'd been a problem," Tim answered. "I'm interested to know how much of the language Amy has picked up, having nobody to interpret."

"Anyway," I said, "time enough to find all that out tomorrow. Let's make the most of our last evening."

"Game of Scrabble?" Tim teased.

"You know very well what I want," I said, leaning over and kissing him. I started to undo the buttons of his shirt, and Tim protested gently, "What about Sita?"

"I gave her the evening off," I grinned...

***

In the morning, we got ready at a leisurely pace, then took the trishaw to the village. It seemed strange to have the whole seat to ourselves, and Tim held me close as we jolted down the track toward the house.

Shila caught sight of us, and ran into the house to announce our arrival.

The girls came out to meet us first, wrapping their arms around us.

"Can we say congratulations again?" asked Laura excitedly.

"Of course," I laughed. "How have you two got on?"

"Watch," said Amy. Amrit and Anjali came out of the house, and Amy addressed them slowly but clearly in their own language. Anjali answered, and Amy nodded.

"They are glad you've come, and hope you enjoyed your week," Amy translated.

"Wow," Tim said. He pretended to look thoughtful. "So now you can all talk about things that I can't follow?"

Laura grinned. "You'd better get learning, then."

Amrit spoke to me, and I translated for Tim. "He wants to show us the house straightaway, he's really pleased with the work."

We walked down the short stretch of track by the river, to what had been a grassy plot only days before, and Tim stopped, astonished. The scratches he and Amrit had made on the ground had been transformed into reality – white-painted concrete walls, a shining roof, and the palm-thatched kitchen which would be Jaya's domain.

Amrit led us onto the long, covered verandah, and showed us the rooms. Wooden furniture – beds, dressing table, chairs – was already in place, and a plastic dining table and chairs had been set at one side of the living room.

"Please, sit," said Amrit, revealing that the language-learning had not been only one way.

We sat at the table and Anjali came into the room with a young woman who I didn't remember meeting before.

"This is Jaya," explained Amy. The young woman placed her palms together in the gesture of respect, and spoke.

"She is grateful for the opportunity to serve," I translated. "Amrit has made a similar arrangement as the one Sita had, to set aside money for her."

I rose from my chair and took Jaya's hands in mine, speaking quietly to the young woman. Jaya looked surprised, then pleased.

"I told her that she will be considered one of the family," I explained.

Jaya left, and returned with coffee for us.

"So the kitchen is up and running too," Tim said.

"Yes," said Amy. We heard the distinctive sound of a water pump being operated. "The water runs clear from the pump, but we've been careful not to drink it. Amrit brings bottled water for us from the shop."

"When can we move in?" Tim asked.

I spoke briefly with Amrit. "He says everything is done, they only have to put up the fence and gate, and then start to plant more trees for shade and for the betel crop."

"So we just need to get our things over here from the base," Tim said.

"Laura and I can do that," said Amy. "Sujesh – you remember, the man who organised the building work – has a truck, he'll take us over and we can pack everything. Sita can come back with us too, seeing as the bungalow is going to be closed up. She can stay with us until her wedding."

"Great," Tim said. "Sarah and I will stay here and talk to Amrit and Anjali."

We finished our coffee, and Amy and Laura left. A short while later we heard the roar of Sujesh's truck as they left for the base.

"So Sita's wedding is arranged?" Tim said.

I spoke to Amrit, who nodded, and held up three fingers.

"Goodness," Tim said, "they'll have to go through all that preparation again."

"It's part of the rhythm of life here," I said. "Celebrations, meals, planting, harvesting, building houses, working."

"Talking of which," Tim said, "I'm sorry to bring this up, but when do you have to fly again?"

"Not for a few days," I replied. "We can get settled in, and celebrate Sita's wedding. Have you heard anything from the Kolkata office?"

"I should spend a couple of days there soon – I can probably fit in with your next flight," Tim said.

I nodded. "So the honeymoon isn't quite over," I smiled suggestively.

"It'll be a bit different with Amy and Laura here, and Sita being our guest," Tim pointed out.

I grinned. "Who says we have to be at home?" I said. "I know this area pretty well, and there are one or two places I can think of where we can have some privacy."

Tim reached over and squeezed my hand. "So, do you think Jaya could cope if we asked Amrit and Anjali to stay for lunch?"

I walked across the verandah to the kitchen and spoke with Jaya.

"No problem," I said. "I think the girls will be back soon – there really won't be much for them to pack – so as soon as they get here, we'll eat."

I spoke again to Amrit, who smiled and replied.

"They'll be delighted to share our first meal here," I translated. "While Jaya is cooking, Amrit would like us to meet one of the other families."

We walked back across the verandah and out to the track. I looked back, seeing the thread of smoke rising from the kitchen, and my heart swelled with happiness. Our new home – friends – a new life.

Amrit led us to a house in the village, and introduced us to an older man and his wife, Rajesh and Anika.

"Their son is at university in Kolkata," I explained to Tim, "but he'll return for Sita's wedding – the groom is his cousin."

We sat talking to the family for a while, and as I translated for Tim, he began to understand a little more about how things worked in the village – kinship, land, inheritance, even the local process of political decision-making.

We heard the sound of a horn outside, and Amy came in.

"Anjali told us you were here," she said. "We've brought all the stuff."

We made our farewells to Rajesh and Anika, and jumped in the back of the truck for the short drive to our house. Sita waved from the truck cab, obviously happy to be back at the village to prepare for her wedding.