Chapter 3
Dal Lake
“Greetings and welcome to my home. I will serve you the best kahwa in Kashmir. It has special Kashmiri saffron and rose petals. I bring the tea to you. George here tells me you have a wedding coming up. I am happy to provide this service to all your guests. But first, you must taste the tea. Thank you, Mr. George. Give Wajid my regards. My wife tells me his ankle is hurt.”
“How does everyone here know everyone?” Alina said. “That is the beauty of these small places, you know. Once you are here, you are family,” George said. “It’s one of the reasons I live here now. It makes me feel like I am always home—you know, a place where everyone knows my name. Like Cheers.”
Sharmila smiled at the reference to the TV show. Alina was clueless. Mustafa poured the tea into tiny red paper cups and handed one to each of them. While Alina and George debated how exactly to sip the tea and whether the rose petals may or may not have added the purported magic, Sharmila put a hand over the side of the shikara, into the water.
“Vikram, I have done what I promised I would do,” she whispered. “I have brought our daughter home. Do you feel us here? Are you here?” A white lily became entangled in her fingers, and she pulled it out of the water. “Pamposh, Ma. That’s a pamposh, right? Like the name of George’s pretend palace,” Alina said cheekily. “Don’t you love these? So pretty.”
“Yes, they are. I am so happy to see you smiling, Alina. And I must say that this tea is divine. So, the first task is done. We have tea. Now, what about all the other three hundred things we need for this wedding—we need a venue, a caterer, and …” Sharmila frowned as she began to count out loud all the things that needed to be done. George put up a hand to stop her. “First rule of the valley is that you have to relax. All that you want will come to you. To us, in this case. Don’t worry. I actually have a list of things to go over with you. We’ll cover it all. For now, drink this tea, enjoy the lilies, and let me take you to the houseboats.
Your guests can stay in houseboats here instead of typical run-of-the mill or biscuits-cutter hotels, as your wedding planner would have said. I’ll show you the best ones here—they will accommodate your friends and take care of all their needs. Alina, you mentioned it will be a small wedding with just about thirty or so guests, right? The Sukoon is one of the best in the valley, in my opinion. It is a stunning houseboat.”
Alina nodded. “The idea of houseboats sounds awesome.”
“I will show you mine someday. I live on a small one,” George said. “That would be lovely!” Sharmila said. “I have never been in a houseboat. And yes, it will be a small group. I’m not sure how small at the moment.” Sharmila hoped that someone from her own family would attend, but she hadn’t been able to reach her sister. In this day and age, she thought. Her sister routinely went into silent retreats, giving little or no notice to the family.
Her parents had passed away about a year ago, without ever meeting Alina. Her sister had kept in touch, on and off. Over the last year, they had been talking a lot more and it had made Sharmila feel wonderful. After bidding Mustafa farewell, George instructed the boatman to make a few rounds of specific areas of the lake that he loved. They made one more stop before heading to Sukoon. They met Zarina, his favorite flower vendor on the lake. George introduced Zarina and explained what was going on.
“These ladies don’t want to get flowers from a big shop or give big companies their money. You will take care of them in the spring, Zarina? This young lady wants local flowers for her wedding.” Zarina pulled out her phone in an instant. “Yes, yes, George, you know, I do this. Look at this, madam. My son and I make wedding decorations with wood and dried flowers, and we paint the dried leaves. You will have a wedding like no other. And, of course, if you have it in spring, you will have all kinds of tulips, daffodils, and daisies and more. But the money?” She
looked concerned and turned to George.
He said easily, “Zarina, let them decide first. Don’t worry.” Sharmila and Alina looked at the humble but eclectic designs that Zarina showed them. “Ma, her designs are simple,” Alina whispered. “What do you think? I do like them.” “See this, this is our Lilly Be Silly arrangement.”
Zarina showed them some more photos. Both Alina and Sharmila were impressed. “Yes, see, I told you,” George said.
“She creates elaborate pieces of art with her flowers that are often playful and sweet. Trust me on this. She’s the best in town.” “Thank you, Zarina. We will let you know our decision very soon,” Sharmila said, waving goodbye as Zarina’s shikara pulled away. George turned to the boatman. “Please turn the shikara around. We have to go to the other side.”
As the boat turned, and the afternoon set in, the crowds on the lake diminished and tranquility returned.
The Author
Award-winning storyteller and illustrious food writer Monica Saigal, (formerly Monica Bhide) is all set to unveil her 12th book, A Kiss in Kashmir: A Timeless Tale of Love (Bodes Well Publishing, US) a touching story of love, loss, and second chances in the serene backdrop of Kashmir. A Nicholas Sparks-like emotive storytelling that tells a captivating story of late-blooming love and second chances.
Book excerpt: Pg 40-43
(Extracted with the permission from the author and the publisher)
