Curious Tales from the Himalayas by Shaguna Gahilote & Prarthana Gahilote

Author:Shaguna Gahilote & Prarthana Gahilote [Gahilote, Shaguna & Gahilote, Prarthana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789387625396
Publisher: Penguin Random House India Private Limited
Published: 2018-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Rongnyu and Rongeet

Sikkim

Rongnyu and Rongeet had secretly been in love for a very long time. Away from the prying eyes of local inhabitants, the two would meet up in dark forests, behind huge boulders at the base of snow-clad mountains or in secluded meadows. If they were humans, Rongnyu and Rongeet would have spoken to their parents and found a way to get married. But the two were born rivers, young and unbridled, bursting with life and energy. In Sikkim, where they flowed, people believed that Rongnyu and Rongeet had been created by Goddess Eitbumo, who had also created all the animals, mountains, lakes, plants, stones and humans who lived on earth. They also believed that Eitbumo had always made her creations in pairs—never alone—so that everyone and everything would go through life with a partner to love and cherish.

Rongnyu and Rongeet had fallen in love the very first time they saw each other. And how could they not? It was all part of Goddess Eitbumo’s plan. Rongnyu would often tell Rongeet, ‘I feel this immense happiness when I am with you. I wouldn’t leave your side for anything, unless you so decide.’

Rongeet’s love for Rongnyu was just as deep, and he would say, ‘Rongnyu, I would never abandon you, because with you I feel a sense of completion. How could I live without you?’

The two lovers kept meeting in private, till one evening, when Rongeet was on his way to meet his lady-love, he overheard some shrubs mocking him. They sniggered and gossiped that though Rongeet was young and handsome, he had become a worthless layabout, all because of ordinary Rongnyu. He heard them say, ‘She has nothing special about her. Yet he’s been bitten by the love bug.’

Rongeet was pained to hear this. While all was going well between him and Rongnyu, outsiders were a constant cause of worry for the two. Rongeet was tormented by the thought that others didn’t accept their relationship. His fear wasn’t entirely unfounded, because Rongnyu had to bear taunts from her friends too. No one thought it was respectable for two youngsters to be in love and meet secretly. Matches had to be made by families. When the two met the next day, Rongeet said, ‘I think we should run away. That’s the only way to live together.’

‘Run away? Is that the right thing to do?’ asked Rongnyu.

‘We have no choice. Look at the jeers we get from the world around us. I don’t think we can continue meeting like this. We have to run away.’

‘But where would we go?’

‘Down to the lowlands. In the forests. No one will recognize us there and no one will object.’

‘Are you sure, Rongeet? I’ve never been there. Have you?’

‘No, I haven’t. But I know that it’ll be safer for us.’

Rongnyu began to panic. ‘Do you know how to get there? I have no idea at all.’

‘Neither do I. But don’t worry, Rongnyu. I will figure that out. I promise to take care of you and protect you.

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