Everyone likes
to travel. Some travel alone, some with friends and families. It is engraved in
our soul. Even the laziest of mankind needs to travel. The latter was a
reference to me, of course. Traveling with friends are always fun. So me and
my friend Vipin, decided to escape from the boring reality of daily office
life. The main problem we faced was that he resides at Kerala and I am here in
Delhi. After a long lethargic session, we decided to go to Sikkim, the land of serene beauty. We wanted it be a memorable one. we were like two kids who have got their hands on a new set of
Playstation, we were at cloud nine. At last....... we are going to be alone,
without any worries & responsibilities of the life.
5th
November 2016
It was a fine
morning I was having a tea, reading the newspaper waiting for my turn at the
bathroom. My phone rang, it was him,
Vipin. I picked up,
Me: Hi
Vipin: Hi, Where
are you?
Me: At home,
why?
V : We are
going, right?
I get the hint
of doubt in his voice. One can’t blame his tone, if you guys know us, our history.
We have history of things going haywire whenever we plan something. In simple
words, our plan never works. We are more of spontaneous type. We just do things
as it comes by. No planning, only improvisations.
Me: of course,
we are. There is nothing in this world that could stop us from going.
COOL...Man.....
V : Okay, then.
Bye, I am getting late for the office.
Me: Bye.
I was thinking
how silly he is acting. Because I know this time we are actually going.
Most of the time
I spend looking for cheap hotel rooms and flight iterineries. Went through lots
of travel blogs and reviews about hotels and home stays.
6th November 2016
My phone rang
again in the morning,
V : There is no
change of plan, right?
Me: No, stop
worrying. There won’t be any trouble this time. This time we will break out of
that bad spell. I tried to say it with conviction. I will book my tickets to
Sikkim and you book yours. We will meet at Baghdogra airport. I will take care
of our hotel stay there.
V : No way, I
don’t trust you. You were never on time. You might as well leave me strangled
in the airport forever. So I am going to book tickets for us both. No way that
I am going to let you book yours only.
Me: [grinning]
Okay, there is a point in your accusation. But hey, I am not always late.
V : I will book
the tickets for us both.
Me: Go on, then.
I will take care of the hotel bookings.
7th November 2016
V: I booked the
ticket.
Me: Oh, Sorry I
forgot to book the hotel. I will do it right now.
V: Forget it, I
did that too. I know you.[he grinned]
Me: So nice of
you. But still, you have to let me do things, okay?[I laughed]
V: Yeah,
right...
Don’t you think
it’s odd? I mean, things are going smooth. That never happens with us. There's
always been a twist in our case.
Me: May be, those
days are over. May be, this time our plan is going to work out.
[We were happy]
8th
November 2016
This time, I
called him. it was definitely a bad sign. I am starting to feel something bad
is going to happen. He picked up on the first ring.
Me: You heard
the news ? They banned the 500 & 1000 rupees notes. Now how unlikely is
that ?
V: Don’t worry. Its nothing major. We can always
use our cards. Don’t lose your sleep over it. It’s not going to affect us.
Me: I hope so.
But, I am afraid, is it some kind of a bad omen?
V: Oh, come
on... . I’ve already packed my bags for the trip. Did you?
Me: No. ....not
yet.
V: Then, do it.
The day after tomorrow, we will be flying over mountains to the “land blessed
by Gods”.
Me: Yes, I hope
so.
9th
November 2016
I was sure; he
was going to kill me, because our trip is going to cancel. As always, office
work came in between me and my freedom. We are like a kite. You think you are
free to fly with the wind. But in truth you are tied to the ground. It just
gives you a feel that you are free but you are not. You cannot run away from
your responsibilities and duties. Those are the qualities our society demands
from us to be a good social being. All social animals have that fear of society
inside them. How much you tried to shake that off, it will remain in our
sub-conscious.
I dialed his
number with trembling hands. He picked up.
Me: I need to tell you something
V: What?
Me: I think we'll have to postpone the
trip. And I waited for his response
V: WHAT?[He shouted], I am going to kill
you.
Me: Yes, I know. My boss wants me to be
there at the office, as something big came up. Some minister is coming for inauguration
of our office branch.
V: No Way.... This is unacceptable. Take
sick leave or something. I can't postpone it.
Me: Sorry, I really can't.[My voice cracked]
V: So, What
about all that money? I booked our tickets and hotels. You know my father is
not Mr. Ambani, right? [sarcastically]
Me: There is a refund option, right?
V: Yes of course. Thanks for your
information. But when you come home , I will definitely be there to receive you, this time.
His words still
reverberates in my ears like a temple bell sound. He will make it sure that this would be a trip to remember. My homecoming would be a memorable incident
this time, if you know what I mean...?
