Dreamcatcher

by Jyotsna Roy (India)

Making a local connection India

Manali was our last stop marking the end of our 10-day trip of Himachal. I decided to make the most of the last day of my trip as I hopped hurriedly downhill till I reached crossroads. On a whim, I chose the road that led to Manu Road. Soon I found myself wandering through the narrow lanes, inquiring strangers about the way to the temple. After exploring the temple and enjoying a delicious lunch at a local cafe, I strolled through the local market area. It was then that I happened to notice the dreamcatcher shop. Now, I had been fascinated with dreamcatchers for quite some time, but I had never bought one. Mesmerized, I walked inside the store, looking wonderingly at each masterpiece until someone whispered in my ear, I can teach you how to make one. I looked back. There he was- a cheerful, boyish face waiting eagerly for my response. He introduced himself as Ritik. The prospect was tempting, but I looked at my watch. To catch the bus on time, I would have to start by 3. I explained to him, I had less than two hours. He assured me we could manage as much possible in the available time. Next thing I remember, I was happily choosing threads and patterns for the dreamcatcher. It was another world- the cheerful craftsmen, each engrossed in weaving their dreamcatcher. Ritik showed me how to wrap the lace around the ring. It was the easy part. I set out to wrap the lace meticulously. My teacher was pleased with my work and instructed me to stitch the centerpiece of the dreamcatcher. I am no good with needlework, but equal was my determination to finish the dreamcatcher on my own. Soon it was teatime. We watched the overcast sky as we sipped tea and I forgot all about my bus. Ritik was a talkative chap but listened with equal attention as I explained that I had a job in another city and it would not be possible for me to extend my holiday. He was an enthusiastic teacher and wanted to share his skills with anyone keen enough to learn. After the tea break, we got back to the dreamcatcher. I admired the half-finished work. Customers kept pouring in, but mostly to buy. Ritik came over to help me finish after he saw off the last customers. I tried to match his speed as he stitched one side of the yin-yang pattern that I had chosen as the center of my dreamcatcher. My over-enthusiastic mind was already imagining filling my house with self-made dreamcatchers. I looked at my watch and the spell was broken. It was already 3. Part of me wanted to stay, but practical sense took hold of me and I realized my friend would be waiting for me at the hotel for checkout. In the next few moments, we hastened to finish the work. My unskilled fingers beaded the feathers rather clumsily. My precious dreamcatcher turned out to be lopsided and asymmetrical. I looked in dismay as Ritik tried to cheer me up. He promised he would teach me better the next time I visited. Meanwhile, the weather had finally made up its mind to rain again. I hurriedly made payment for the dreamcatcher and the lesson. As I was counting my cash, Ritik tied a bracelet over my wrist. It was a pink handmade bracelet with a golden arrow in between. All good things end and so did this. In my hurry to get back, I forgot to check the store name. I caught one last glimpse of the guys waving at me as I jumped into an auto-rickshaw to get back to my world! Two years later, here I am reliving the day as I type, looking at the bracelet and the dreamcatcher for inspiration and memory. My watch still sits as a sentinel admonishing, it is time to wrap up. But I am two years wiser now and I know good times never end because they become a part of us forever!!