A Sojourn - Bhaskar Sinha || English Story || Short story || Story

      A Sojourn

               Bhaskar Sinha

As she disembarked from the Shatabdi in Dehradun, she impulsively decided that during her time in Mussoorie, she would not seek out Ruskin. Perhaps she might connect with James, but definitely not Ruskin.

She was frustrated with Bonny for his overprotective behavior and unwelcome advice. He had suggested she bring all her published investigative stories to show to the esteemed writer, Mr. Ruskin Bond, in case they met in Landour. She told Bonny, somewhat dismissively, that meeting Ruskin was out of the question since she had accepted a full-time position at Mr. James Meyers' distillery in Mussoorie. When Bonny heard 'Mussoorie' (the distillery) and 'Landour' (the guesthouse), his first thought was of Ruskin Bond. Sana understood her boyfriend's concern. Bonny was simple, loving, and caring. He adored her, and she knew she could easily sway him. However, she found his lack of ambition and overprotectiveness grating.

After graduating first in her class in modern English literature from a northeastern university, she moved to the daunting capital with the goal of passing the civil services exam. The early days were overwhelming. After months of hard work, she realized she needed a job to support herself financially. Her confidence helped her secure a Sub Editor position at a mid-tier English newspaper in the city. The pay was modest, but it gave her some financial relief. Additionally, exciting and challenging assignments were on the horizon, such as stories on the residents of GB Road, the rising militancy in the North, and similar topics.

Then came the unexpected job offer...

She was intrigued by the advertisement, which appeared exclusively in her daily, one of the few English-language newspapers in the capital that still harbored a nostalgic appreciation for the bygone Raj era. The ad didn't seek experienced individuals but called for men with "nerves of steel."

It read as follows: "An esteemed distillery, renowned for serving World War veterans in Mussoorie, is seeking Management Trainees for its Operations and Maintenance divisions. Technical knowledge is not essential, but a background in Management is preferred. Most importantly, we are looking for men with nerves of steel."

Sana bristled at the last line of the advertisement. "Only men have nerves? Ridiculous!" she thought indignantly.

In a state of high dudgeon, she promptly emailed her resume along with a strongly-worded note. She expressed her frustration at the advertisement's blatant misogyny, criticizing the assumption that only men possessed nerves of steel. She argued that without women's resilience, civilization itself might not exist. She pointed out that even the advertiser owed his existence to a woman and chastised the publication of such a biased and appalling advertisement. She restrained herself from outright labeling the advertiser as a bigot or a male chauvinist pig but reminded him that even Draupadi, a figure from the epic Mahabharata, had shown immense fortitude in instigating a war to reclaim her dignity.

She half-expected to receive, at best, a polite 'thank you' note, perhaps accompanied by a condescending remark about selecting other candidates who better fit the criteria. In her experience, most advertisers didn’t even bother to inform applicants about the status of their applications. To her surprise, however, she received an invitation as one of the shortlisted candidates, asking her to attend an interview at a conference center in one of the capital's most luxurious five-star hotels.

Mr. James Meyers struck Sana as a cultured gentleman, advanced in years. His complexion and mannerisms hinted at a trace of Caucasian ancestry in his family line. Introducing himself by his first name, James confirmed his Indian nationality. He then gave a brief history of the distillery, which had been operated by his forefathers for many years. Though its golden days seemed to have passed, he was committed to reviving the business and restoring its former glory, fulfilling a promise made to his father and grandfather. He emphasized that the local climate was ideal for the distillery and the quality of the product was impeccable. However, he noted, a strong hand was needed to manage the day-to-day operations.

"Mr. James, are you trying to justify your advertisement?" Sana interjected.

"No, Miss," James replied soberly. "I am simply providing an overview of my distillery and our work culture. As one of the shortlisted candidates, it's my responsibility to ensure you have a clear understanding of what we're looking for."

"Thank you, Mr. James. I really appreciate it," Sana responded gratefully.

"So, Miss, you don't have related work experience, which isn't necessarily a requirement for this job. As a trainee, you will undergo training. However, I would like to understand your approach to people management. We need individuals with 'nerves of steel.' Managing labor, handling strikes, and ensuring smooth operation of the distillery are daunting tasks," James elaborated.

"I fully understand your concerns and am grateful for the opportunity to reach this stage of the selection process. If given the chance, I assure you that you will not be disappointed. I am an admirer of Dale Carnegie and subscribe to his principles of people management. I firmly believe that success in this role depends largely on effective people management—about eighty five per cent, with the remaining fifteen per cent being technical skills. I am committed to succeeding and will fight tirelessly to achieve our goals," Sana confidently replied.

"Well, I see. You're quite charming and bold. Are you comfortable with the work profile? One thing I must mention is that you'll need to complete a two-year Management Traineeship before being inducted as a regular employee," James informed her.

"The work profile doesn't discourage me from taking the opportunity, but isn't two years a rather lengthy period for a traineeship?" Sana questioned.

"This is the standard industry practice. However, if your performance is truly exceptional, the duration could be shortened. It all depends on your performance," James said firmly.

The stipend for the traineeship wasn't substantial, but it was slightly better than her current salary. What made the offer more attractive were the company-provided accommodations, which included additional services like a cook, cleaner, driver, and security guards. The company would cover all related bills, with the exception of food expenses.

Sana had no further questions.

"Please wait a couple of days for our final decision. We're meeting a few more candidates today and tomorrow, and we aim to select the most deserving one. I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your interest. Goodbye," James said, concluding the meeting.

Sana returned to her routine activities, and then, one fine day, the appointment letter from Mussoorie arrived. Bonny was ecstatic, almost as if he had received the job himself. Sana playfully reminded him that Charles Darwin's theory of human evolutionary ancestry seemed quite accurate, jokingly implying that Bonny was a prime example of it.

"You're going to be Ruskin Bond's neighbor! Just imagine! You'll have the chance to see the creator of 'The Room on the Roof', 'The Night Train at Deoli', and his other wonderful works," Bonny exclaimed.

Sana quickly curbed his enthusiasm. "Don't be silly! I'll only return to Landour to sleep, nothing more. I can't afford any distractions for these two years. My focus is to secure a permanent position," she firmly stated.

Bonny sighed, "I know, but your writing is excellent, and who knows what opportunities might arise after meeting Ruskin Bond?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't appreciate your frivolous attitude towards life. Focus on your own career and let me concentrate on mine," Sana retorted sharply.

After that exchange, Bonny somewhat reduced his fantasizing about the Ruskin Bond connection. He had always loved literature. If not for his teachers pushing him towards a technical field, and his parents dismissing his hesitations, he might have fully immersed himself in the literary world. He occasionally contributed to a few little-known magazines. His passion for literature was also evident in some of the love letters he wrote, but it never developed beyond that.

Last year, Sana’s friends organized a hiking trip to Landour. Despite her interest, her responsibilities as a serious Sub Editor prevented her from joining. Bonny was thrilled at the thought of the hike, but unfortunately, it was an all-girls trip!

Recently, Bonny received an invitation to a seminar at the LBS National Academy of Administration. He was involved in an environmental research project examining the impact of European pine colonization on the Himalayan ecosystem. The seminar was scheduled for a weekend, and though Sana typically used weekends to catch up on sleep due to her night shift work, his persistence led her to reluctantly pack her bags.

It turned out to be a trip worth savoring.

They traveled by night bus from Delhi, both sleeping comfortably in their reclining seats. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the chilly early morning air amidst the serene hills, a welcome change from the hot and dusty plains. The bus came to a stop at the Library Bus Stop. A cup of hot tea and some 'mathree' at the stop perfectly set the tone for their exciting journey ahead. Bonny, eager to attend his seminar, hurriedly arranged for a cab to take them to LBS.

Upon reaching LBS, Bonny immediately hurried off to the seminar hall. Sana, in contrast, calmly collected the accommodation key and proceeded to catch up on her much-needed sleep. The demands of creative writing were indeed exhausting! Bonny woke her up just in time for lunch. LBS had arranged a lavish and hearty lunch for all the attendees. Both of them being fond of Tibetan cuisine, they found the meal particularly enjoyable in the chilly weather.

Post-lunch, it was time to explore Mussoorie. Sana wasn't particularly keen on walking, but she didn't resist when Bonny suggested enjoying the idyllic beauty of the Himalayan foothills and the 'Queen of the Hills' on foot, on their way back to the bus station. Their return bus wasn't due until nighttime, giving them plenty of time, although Sana hoped to also visit the Mall market.

The hills always offered a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the plains. Their journey back was truly marvelous. Bonny shared his insights on the imposition of imported pine trees in the Garhwal Himalayas by British colonial planters. He explained that native woody plants like Oak, Deodar, Cedar, Rosewood, and Himalayan Yew were pushed aside in favor of pine, which grew more rapidly. However, he also noted the disadvantages of pine, such as its shallow root system that failed to hold soil during runoffs, leading to flash floods during cloudbursts. Additionally, the sparse canopy of pine trees was less conducive to sustaining diverse fauna ecosystems, unlike the oaks.

As Sana listened to his passionate lecture while walking, she admired the sublime and serene views of the hillside. To her, the pine trees didn't seem as problematic as Bonny was making them out to be. Nevertheless, she was more interested in enjoying the picturesque scenery than in debating his points at that moment.

The evening view of Mall Road was spectacular, brimming with pomp and grandeur. The hillside, lit intermittently with twinkling lights, painted a scene of tranquility and divinity against the dark backdrop. The vast, black sky dotted with a few twinkling stars and the chilling wind gave them a sense of being closer to heaven. Sana, in the mood for shopping, decided to buy some warm clothes. Bonny joined her, assisting in the bargaining process. The polite Tibetan shopkeepers seemed well-versed in this game, often reducing prices as was their custom.

Dinner was at a cozy café where a veteran musician played the violin. They enjoyed momo, noodles, and concluded with hot chai. For the first time in her life, Sana felt no rush. She wished the evening would never end, longing for the music to continue indefinitely.