Up the hill

In the folds of serenity, enfolded with white noise of frolicking stream and a constant orchestra of native insects, sat a modest woody bungalow. A lonely dirt path kissed its sun dappled broad balcony before sinuously heading uphill in an earnest eagerness to blend into oblivion round the bend. As the wisps of warm ginger-cardamom aroma from Hima's tea crafted a fragile reverie, his thoughts wandered along the path, past the bend, to the tip of the hill. 

What a bright, sunny day, if only I could run up to the clear azure, he thought wistfully as he slurped his next sip; slurping, as much as Ash hated, gave Hima immense pleasure of relishing his tea. 

'Ash, you ready yet?'

'Certainly,' Ash said urgently, ' I can't keep Kat waiting forever. How are you feeling today? Wouldn't it be wonderful if you joined? I so planned to have us in the same frame with this photogenic snow-capped range. You know, these steadfast mountains hold a zillion mythological tales - you read them, researched them, memorised them over the years; and here we are. Why don't you put on your knee caps and give the trek a go? It's only graded as "3"; can't be that taxing,' Ash egged Hima on in one breathless row while tying up her hiking boots and buttoning up denim jacket over a white linen top. 

'Hmm,' was all Hima had in reciprocation while admiring Ash's hiking attire quietly. A couple of days back, she was reigning the streets of North Kolkata - her statuesque stature draped in vibrant 5-yards, and now, here she is, equally adorable and confident in smart sporty look.

'Why is it always an elephantine task to get you beyond the draft-catcher,' Ash roller her eyes, picked her backpack, and rushed out to hug Kat, who by then was strolling up the dirt path - light and shade of thinning trees playing peek-a-boo on her spruce green cotton top over jeans jeggings. 

'How was your stay at Baylon? Our one is pretty decent, I felt like moving her, it felt so calm and quiet - far from the maddening crowd, especially post-pujo.'

'Mine is ok, I'd say. I can't complain about the rooms, the bathrooms could do with a bigger size. But it never crossed my mind to ever be here for longer than I planned. At the crosshair of 60s, I'd prefer to stay close to Kolkata,' Kat's declaration was emphatic. 

'Well, of course! That's the most practical thing for all, isn't it? Close to people we reply on, hospitals we know like the back of our hand, food and clothes that we can swear on,' both chortled and chatted till they vanished round the bend where their 25-year old gangling guide, Bhuto, was waiting for them impatiently. 

Every morning Bhuto, with his black 4-legged companion, Quint, lead a little group of travellers up the serpentine dirt path through the wilderness to a viewing spot where dense forest abruptly lifts its veil of foliage to wow the huffing, and puffing hikers with the much-coveted view of a slice of the grand gargantuan Himalayan range. The spot, in a remote part of Uttarakhand, isn't exactly an internet star yet, but nevertheless has witnessed a thin but steady flow of visitors. It's relatively easier to get here, unlike other marked viewing places, considerably above sea level where trees give was to shorter vegetation that can withstand the cruel claws of cold. Bhuto's schedule brings here every single morning, visitors or not, sun or snow, and yet he itches to run past his familiar terrain to his destination - little wonder he chose guiding people as his means of living. He has one big dream - once he has earned enough, he'd set out to scale Mt Everest!

Ash and Kat trudged along with a handful of others, exchanging shareable information while trailing behind Bhuto and listening to his constant flow of anecdotes from his earlier trips. The sun was smiling upon them favourably, a cool piney breeze was gently skirling, or maybe whistling to create a conducive an aura conducive to trekking. 

'A step at a time,' Bhuto cheered as the dirt path decided to test their strength with one steep rise. Ash and Kat clambered up with a little struggle while Bhuto assisted the stragglers. 

'More challenges ahead, so pull up your socks, but leave your worries behind; we'd be there in no time,' Bhuto's indefatigable energy stirred the adventurous souls of each one. Though they slumped, drank and snacked in between for little breaks to catch their breath, they trudged along to meet the targeted time of twelve!

After over two tiring hours, Bhuto stopped unceremoniously! 'What is it Bhuto?' Ash's concerning voice halted all like they shouldn't move a muscle.

'Quiet, my Quint senses something; he's growling. I haven't seen him doing that in past 5 years,' Bhuto whispered, his voice sounded a bit dry.

'But Shera was dead, could she have had cubs,' Bhuto mumbled. His remarks raised wary brows and hair on everybody's neck.

The group huddled together as a rustle of dry fallen leaves grew louder for all to hear and freeze in fright.

'Who's Shera?' Kat managed to ask, her voice choking as a drop of sweat broke and rolled down her brown withered forehead. 

But Bhuto sprang up to his feet with a broad grin of relief and announced, 'Apologies for the false alarm, it's just a slow slithery python. It won't bother you unless you bother it.'

Yet, Qunit's unusual behaviour spread a subtle blanket of unease lurking behind them - did Shera have cubs, have they survived the loss of their mum to the forest department, how big are they, etc.

Soon they put their fear aside and moved on to assault the last cumbersome stretch of the track that's almost impossible to decipher without Bhuto's trained eyes. Minutes of unrelenting endeavour later Bhuto's cries of excitement unequivocally pronounced they have made to the spot. 

Ash and Kat, along with the little group, were pummelled with an exotic view of the exquisitely attractive range - its snow shining beneath a wek soft sun. Rugged rocks and soft snow inextricably entwined across the panoramic view, as if rising like a mammoth wall from the swathes of greens and blues of the conifers below.

They uttered no word. As the view soothed their bruises and they relished the taste of their achievement, "miracle" happened for Ash. Hima popped out of nowhere in denims to pose with the range for her perfect dream frame. Ash's eyes broadened like she was witnessing a whit of white wight in broad daylight!

'What the!' There was no need to complete the exclamation. She hugged Hima, her eyes welled up with tears of pride, love, and appreciation. 

'Why didn't you tell me you are following us. It's dangerous to be out there alone. There are wildlife that we can't handle alone. Why don't you understand?'

'Calm down. I was just about a metre away, closely trailing to surprise you. Besides, Bhuto knew - we made a pact last night!'

Ash cooled down before commencing her next slew of complaints, 'why, you should've told me, we could've shared these moments of one in a lifetime journey together. You know I don't like surprises. I'm a huge proponent of planning things to the tee...,' on and on she went till Hima grabbed her for a photo that demanded a hearty smile.

Rest of the story of trekking back to respective homestays, dinner, and preparation for next hile wasn't as interesting to be penned. But who knows, I might start a new chapter on Ash-Hima's next dare!

Adios till then!

Dona, Sydney, Oct-25