'Europe has a history. The languages change when you leave one country and move to another. The
food, the art and architecture, fabulous public transport, the scenic beauty, everything is just
wonderful in Europe,' I tried to explain.
'You did not see all this in the US?'
'Some things, like public transport, are not that good in comparison to Europe. You and your car are
the only options in most of the states, New York being an exception. You won't hear as many
languages as you get to hear in Europe. I mean the US is damn advanced but still, I would prefer
Europe to the States.'
Amardeep nodded and this meant his questions had ended.
'This is the best thing about IT jobs, Amardeep. We get to visit different places which we never
dreamt of during our college days,' MP said to Amardeep. After college MP, Happy and I joined IT
firms, while Amardeep joined the KPO industry. He had never liked the hardcore software business.
We were glad to be together again, finally, after the farewell night in college and we kept talking
for hours that afternoon. We were planning an outing for the evening when we realized how tired we
were and how badly we needed a little rest … I don't remember which one of us fell asleep first, that
afternoon.
'Wake up, you asses. It's already 6.30.'
Someone was struggling to get us out from our utopia of dreams. In the hostel, Amardeep was the
first among us to wake up and, of course, the only one to wake up others. So we knew that it was our
early-morning Amardeep.
Still, how can somebody thumping your door to get you out of bed be pleasant? We human beings
have such a weird nature—while asleep, we hate the person who is trying to wake us up, but once we
are awake, we tend to love that same person because he did the right thing. As usual, Amardeep was
successful in his endeavor. It was 7 in the evening.
This was the first time Amardeep and MP had come to the city, so we decided to explore the streets
of Kolkata. Fortunately our host possessed two bikes—his own Pulsar and his younger brother's
Splendor. We got ready and pulled out the bikes from the garage. MP and I got on the Splendor,
Happy and Amardeep on the Pulsar.
We crossed the river Hooghly, over the Vidya Sagar Setu, shouting and talking to each other.
Speed-breakers couldn't break our speed that evening. And where were we? On cloud number nine.
Being with your best buddies after such a long time is, at once, sentimental and thrilling.
We went to the Victoria Memorial and few other places. At times, we got down to have some fruit-
juice. At times, we halted to enjoy Kolkata's famous snacks and sweets. At times, we got down
because one of us wanted to pee—which initiated a chain-reaction among the rest of us.
We were at some place, enjoying ice-tea in an earthen cup, when MP asked, 'When do we need to
get back home?' It was already 10.30.
'No worries. I have the keys for the flat upstairs. We can go any time we want. Hopefully, we will
not move in before 1,' Happy said, finishing his ice-tea down to the last drop.
'And where are we going to be till then?' Amardeep was concerned.
Amardeep and his 11 p.m. sleeping time, I remembered, but didn't bring it to the others' notice.
Happy looked at me and asked with a smile, 'Shall we go to the same place?'
'Oh! That one …?' Before MP's dirty brain-cells could start thinking something filthy, I tried to
clear the picture. 'Gentlemen! We are going to a very cool place now, and I bet both of you will find it…'
I was trying to finish when MP became impatient and cut me off, 'Oh yes. I heard that
Chandramukhi was from West Bengal. So, are we guys planning to …?' His wicked smile and naughty
eyes completed the question.
'You're nuts,' Happy said, laughing.
'Don't think too much, MP. Just follow us,' I added.
Without revealing any more, we were back on our bikes, driving to our destination.
It wasn't yet midnight when we reached the place. The air here was a little colder. At first glance it
looked as if we were in the slums. There was a run-down garage which was shuttered. Some trucks
were parked outside. Their drivers were probably sleeping. We parked our bikes beside one of the
trucks and walked through a small street to the right of the garage. The place was badly lit and utterly
silent. Our voices and footsteps rang out loudly. The sounds of insects added to the eeriness of the
place. MP heard a pack of dogs barking somewhere nearby. I don't know if he really heard them,
though. Maybe it was just his poor heart, beating loudly.
'Shhh! They will wake up,' said Happy with a finger on his lips.
'Who?' Amardeep whispered.
'There are people sleeping on the ground ahead. Watch your step,' Happy said.
'People! Sleeping on the road?' Amardeep slowed down. They were local fishermen. Some were
sleeping and some were hung-over from home-made liquor.
Suddenly, the street ended in a wooden channel. This was a staircase-like structure going down, and
we could hear a dull sound, like that of water beating against the shore. We stepped on this channel
leaving behind the insect-sounds.
In a few seconds, we were at our destination.
It was the river Hooghly, and we were standing at its bay. Amardeep's and MP's fear turned into
delight.
'This is the Launch Ghat and, right now, we are in Howrah. This is the point from where the ferry
takes you to the other side: Kolkata city,' Happy announced, pointing across the river.
In our excitement, we jumped onto the wooden harbor-like structure, from the channel. Surrounding
this harbor on three sides was the river in its perfect velocity. It was a beautiful night, with the moon
overhead and the stars shining bright. And beneath this sky, the four of us!
We sat down beside one of the giant anchors in a corner of the harbor. The river raced against the
cool breeze to meet the Bay of Bengal. In the silence, the sound of water hitting the harbor was crystal
clear. On the other side of the river was Kolkata. The tall buildings and the chain of tiny, yellow lights
reminded me of the New York skyline. But this was much better, just because I was with my friends
now.
With our arms wide open, we breathed deep and long, inhaling the fresh, chill air, still intoxicated
by the beauty of this place. That was when Happy spoke up.
'So?' he asked, looking at Amardeep.
'What?' Amardeep asked in return, not understanding Happy's 'So.'
'So, how is this place, dammit?'
'Oh! This place? I cannot think of a better place than this. This is heaven.'