When I woke up, the sky had cleared up. The view from my first-floor room facing the snow-capped view of the tall and proud Himalayas was spectacular. Pancauhuli and Trishul were visible at a distance. However, the view to Nanda Devi was still misty, cloaked in a blanket of clouds. The setting much too tranquil for me, a person from a city that never sleeps- aamchi Mumbai and the one who loves beaches.. (Read Chapter 1 here)
It was much in contrast to my last visit to Goa. I was lost in the memories of the beachside houses painted in cheerful hues of turquoise, coral, and yellow, me basking under the sun. I could almost hear the mythemic crashing of waves while enjoying the rich sea food. Everything gyrated towards the nightlife, bursting with energy.
Sitting here at Mukhteshwar I was welcomed in the morning with the playful chirping of mountain birds. I think I heard Red Vented Bulbul and saw a glimpse of Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. No, I am not a birdwatcher and have no option but to accept the words of the housekeep.
The two surroundings felt alive in a different way. Beaches in Goa and Mountains in Mukhteshwar stood in stark contrast. The serene and somewhat austere beauty of the mountains and calmness of the surroundings were equally captivating.
In the glasshouse that I could see just towards the right of the window, a few fields down, seemed like a treasure box with intricate design. It added a kind of welcome change to the otherwise monochromatic landscape full of post monsoon lush green trees. It was a place where life thrived, even in the cold.
While I sipped the hot Ginger tea made with Jaggery powder, the inviting aroma of freshly cooked food wafted in from the resort’s kitchen. It smelled of promising warmth and comfort. Being a traveller and a guest, my interaction Though a Garhwali by birth, I have mostly stayed in the plains and hence am not too conversant to the wild, untamed outdoors and its hardship. The resort is cosy. It reminds me of simple pleasures in life, like a hearty meal, a good book, and the serenity of nature.
My book lay open on the adjoining table. The pages fluttered in the breeze that playfully sneaked in through the small gap in the window. I felt a deep connection to the surroundings. The ambience paints a picture in my mind, each element adding its colour to the unprintable exclusive.
Last night too, when the skies cleared a bit, it revealed a blanket of stars. I doubt if I did see the milky way arched across the sky. However, the moonlight bathed the hilly landscape in a soft, ethereal glow, casting long shadows of the tall deodar trees highlighting the contours of the mountains. It made me appreciate the grandeur of nature and the smallness of human existence in the grand scheme of things.
As I continued to admire the view, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. The peace, pace and solitude of the moment were a stark contrast to my everyday hustle and bustle.
The birds, mostly unseen but heard were adding to the charm of the morning as the Himalaya ranges start taking their early afternoon misty look.
It was a reminder to slow down, to take a moment to breathe, and to appreciate the beauty around us. And I know I will have this realization in a short while. As soon as I return to my life in Mumbai, I will forget about it, just like I forgot the beaches.
It was a lesson in the duality of life and the need to accept it wholeheartedly.
The majestic mountains of Mukhteshwar or the vibrant beaches, both held their unique charm. In my life, each had a story and lesson to tell. And in that moment, amidst the cold I felt a profound sense of gratitude for being able to experience the beauty of both.
It was this moment that I first saw her. A spec of red that I had caught a few minutes back along the third bend of the serpentine road leading to the temple has now grown bigger. The details much clearer. It looked as if she was headed towards the resort. On an impulse, I decided to have breakfast at the open restaurant… just in case she did check in.
Continue reading Chapter III of this story with an unknown destination, taking shape one chapter at a time. You can also read the first chapter here.
BLOG/066/2015 To connect, send an email, join on Twitter S_kotnala or subscribe to the weekly update.
This post is part of the #BlogChatterBlogHop #BlogChatter . It gives a word cloud to write weekly. I am trying to see if I can use the weekly word cloud to write a story in continuity. The word cloud was Paint, Book, Food, Beach, Birds, Box, Colour, Sun, Sky, and Glasshouse. 10/10 this time.
