SRINAGAR

Teja is on the Sikhara, the cultural symbol of the state.

Usually she likes sun rise as it brings new energy, hopes and smiles. Or the dark nights when the cool breeze calms the chaos in her. Not the sunsets.

Thankfully, it's those hours of the day where there's no sun but light making every beauty visible.

She slowly breathed in the flavor of the fresh waters.

The panoramic view of the pristine Dal Lake surrounded by the snow caps from afar with the light blue background & colorful Sikharas around is so beautiful that she couldn't help but wonder in awe.

Can she ever capture this elegance in the lens? Or are there even words to describe?

The answer is...No!

She never believed when she read sometimes beauty can't be captured until she saw the mighty Himalayas.

Jammu & Kashmir is a truly blessed state with all its snowy mountains, green meadows, eternal rivers, lush forests & pristine lakes.

Maybe the heaven wouldn't be as pleasing as this is.

She wanted this for her. For revitalizing herself.

The rower is an old man from their town so she knows him well.

Whenever she's in the capital, she makes a call to him & he will be there with his ever clean and neat Sikhara.

She mostly sits out enjoying the lake ride with a light chat & her special pista chai.

This time is no different.

When Adhvik spotted her.

It's kinda a first Sikhara for Adhvik after a decade probably. The last time he took the boat was when he had a mini trip to his grandparents after he finished his class 12 & ready to enroll into Massachusetts.

Then he was a boy who just enjoyed the ride but now he felt the serenity.

Dal lake remained the same except for the number of boats & tourists.

It filled him with an inexplicable secluded feeling.

He left his belongings in the car as he want this to himself.

Many a time, he listened Nandana talking about the ride or Teja & her rare posts on social media, he wanted to experience it again.

As he took in the pleasant ride soaking in all it offered losing his every thought, his sight caught Teja.

They took the Sikhara from different stations, but their destination was the same as that is where their vehicles are parked so they were meant to cross the paths & they did.

Adhvik saw Teja, her palm inside the fresh lake waters, giggling with the rower.

She's wearing a blue motif kurti & dhoti pants with a golden stole, her long hair tied in a fish plait.

It seemed like the rower is taking her pictures when she's busy playing with the waters.

He is fond of her so offered to click a picture which came out naturally beautiful.

She clicked some more pictures from his phone & asked him to send all of them later.

When the Sikharas are rowing toward their dropping points, that's when she noticed Adhvik. She's surprised.

Oh! Even he got the ride.

They were simultaneously dropped off, with the rower helping her to get on to the deck while Adhvik does it himself & stands aside.

"Mein apko thodi der mein bhejungi Uncle", she tells the rower to which he happily replies that she can send him money anytime & there's no hurry.

She waves him bye with a pretty smile while he does the same packing up for his home as it was his last ride for the day.

Acknowledging Adhvik's presence, she moves to the exit when she realised he isn't coming.

She looked back to see Adhvik having a pink note in hand maybe a 2000/-, passing it to the rower who seemed reluctant but took the note & gave him the change.

Securing them in his pocket, he walked to the exit where she's but he didn't stop & passed by.

Teja huffs in annoyance.

He again paid for her. Pch!

Sighing, she trails behind.

They are at the car park on the asphalt where their vehicles are reserved only to see those spots occupied with other cars. They look around to see whether they are parked somewhere else but no car resembled the same.

"Kahi aur gaye honge. Ek baar Harsh ko call karo", Teja suggests.

Adhvik tries to pull out his phone when he remembers that he deliberately left the phone in the car itself to have his alone time.

He glances at Teja who's checking around the place again in case if they missed their cars.

His voice made her look at him, "I had my phone in the Jeep"

She's surprised at his revelation but acknowledged that he isn't a phone freak, infact he dislikes it the most. His usage is limited to communication otherwise he wouldn't bother to check the device. So it's believable to say he didn't carry it here, to a peaceful ride.

But what will they do now as she too didn't bring her phone?

"Even I don't have mine",she lets out.

Adhvik discerned that when he saw the mobile which clicked her photos is with the rower.

To make her relieved, he confirms, "I told Khan I will meet him here. Maybe he went somewhere. Let's wait. They will be back soon"

She agrees as even she informed Nandana the same so it might be the only possibilitiy as they wouldn't leave without them? Or would they?

He looks for some place to settle down when he saw a bench placed on the well maintained footpath, beside the car park.

After Srinagar is declared as the Smart City, the Government is leaving no stone unturned to make it clean, modernised, accessible, viable for the locals & tourists.

As the winter began, slowly the light is fading, people are dispersing, one by one stalls & stores are shutting down till the yellow street lights are on.

Adhvik is dubious because it's been more than 30 minutes & there's no sight of them. Before anything, he decided to call Arshad.

"We should ask a mobile from someone", Teja spoke out what he has been thinking. Even she got the hang of it, more than themselves they were scared for their family & friends.

Are they safe? Did anything happen?

Giving a nod, he searches for anyone in the vicinity when he found few women wearing burkhas passing by.

He got uncertain as he don't know whether he could speak to them or not so stood back, respecting their religious customs.

Adhvik glanced at Teja & she immediately got his hesitation.

Growing up with him, she's well accustomed with his beliefs & standards.

She took on his shoes & approached the ladies, they are humble enough to lend her phone.

Teja is dialing the number when Adhvik interrupts, "Pehle Nandu ko".

She gave him a look as she wait for her to recieve, "Obviously"

Adhvik observes her, she's anxious about his sister by the way she's tapping her foot eagerly.

The call said unreachable.

Her face fell when she dialed again & recieved the same.

"Let's try for Khan", Adhvik says.

He recites the number, she dials only to hear unreachable.

Teja's anxiety is growing, "V ko call karthe hein", she tells hurriedly.

It said switched off.

Every number is unreachable where the hell are they?

Very a few times, tension creeps in Adhvik & seems like this is one of those moments.

When abruptly, he remembers that he left his phone in Vittal's SUV where everyone's belongings are there since morning.

He takes the phone & dials his own number hoping someone to recieve when the call is actually answered & he recognised the voice.. Vittal.

"Hello Vittal", Adhvik gets somewhat relaxed, atleast someone has answered.

"Adhvik?", Vittal is surprised.

A phone is ringing from the drop down when he took it, he recognised it as Adhvik's. He saw him carrying the mobile.

He is confused as didn't Adhvik take back his things after the activities? Maybe no.

Lifting the call he heard Adhvik,

"Thank God. You received. Where are you? Are you all safe?Where is Nandu & Harsh?", he hears Teja's loud voice bombarding him with questions. She pulled the phone from Adhvik & has put loud speaker.

"Bunny? Kya hua? Thum log abhi tak nai nikli? Aur Nandu, Arshad wahi heina?", by that time Vittal halts the car aside.

"Wo log yaha nahi hein V. Thum kaha ho kitne der se wait kar rahe the hum pata hein?"

"Mein? Mein aa gaya hu. I am just an hour away from Kishtwar. Meine thumhe message kiya thumne dekha nai?"

Teja's eyes widen, "What? You left? How can you?Matlab..."

Adhvik interrupts, "Vittal thumhe Nandu ke baare mein pata hein?"

"Nahi. Kuch kaam tha tho mein jaldi nikal gaya Bunny ko message karke. Last time meine Nandu ko Bunny ke sath hi dekha tha."

Adhvik is connecting the dots, trying to articulate the whole situation.

"Just do one thing. Check my phone whether there are any calls or messages from Arshad or Nandana", he instructs.

Vittal does as he says, he's surprised to know his phone has no password. He slid the notifications bar,

"Ha. Arshad ka 3 calls hein do gante pehle aur Nandu ka kuch nai.And there's a message from Arshad saying he's leaving to Kishtwar with Nandu as she seemed tired & asked you to come with me", even Vittal is tongue tied as he understood what had happened.

Adhvik takes a relieved breath as he gotta know his sister is safe with Arshad. He believed Khan wouldn't do anything without informing him.

Another realization dawned in that the three left unknowingly leaving them.

"Matlab you guys are alone.", Vittal is anxious, "Mujhe nai pata. Mein almost pahunch chuka hu. Ab kya karenge?",he voices out in concern.

It's almost 6:45, they have no phones & no vehicles.

"Aap sab log safe hein. That's enough. We will get a cab.",Teja tries to relax him.

"It might be difficult as it's already late evening.Abhi tho mere sare friends vacation pe gaye hein"

He is anxious for Teja when he heard Adhvik,

"I am here.I will take care "

"Just be safe you two"

"Hm", Adhvik cuts the call as it's more than 10 mins & the women are patiently waiting for them to finish the call.

Teja thank them & they leave.

"Now?", Teja asks a lot more relieved but there's still tension on how would they return.

"We will take a Bus"

Though she said they would hire a cab he's dubious about it's safety. A long drive especially at night with a girl didn't seem reliable. Public transport is the secured option they have.

They reach the bus stop in Auto only to know the next bus will be early in the morning even then they couldn't travel as identity verification is must & they don't have one.

Disappointed, they come out to face deserted streets, closed stalls & a chilling weather.

They walk on the pavement figuring out their transport when Adhvik sees that Teja is cuddling herself & soothing her palms.

She's feeling cold as her attire is light.Not that she's negligent, she brought her essentials but she left them in the car.

Adhvik is in a thick turtle neck tshirt & denims which is doing a better job in keeping him warm.

He glanced around to find a store pulling the shutter.

"Come with me", he jogs to the store & asks the seller who's a teen boy to have a thick parka & gloves.

Although annoyed as it's time to close & play, the seller boy agrees & switches on the electricity while Adhvik goes inside & she stands there.

What does he want to buy?, she's curious because he didn't purchase anything the whole day. He spent his time following them.

Meanwhile, she observes the small store, filled with winter wear and a... maggi corner.

Suddenly she wanted to eat the delicious masala noodles in this chilly weather as if she said aloud that teen boy started making Maggi.

Adhvik came back with a black furry parka & gloves, simply handing them to Teja.

She took them in surprise, when she noticed, they are as per her liking the furry coat & smooth gloves.

It's for her!

Before she could ask him, a plate of hot noodles is placed before which she took in without a question.

Sitting aside, she relished the taste acquainting with the teen boy, whose name is Irfan & that is his father's store, their only bread earner. 

She explained how they ended up here while he told they won't be able to find any vehicle except for the apple trucks that would travel to different towns passing through Srinagar at night. People would often use them as they are safe mostly.

Adhvik didn't interract much but he isn't broody just comfortably listening to their talks. He observed how Teja made the annoyed boy comfortable that he was joyfully talking with her now. She even managed to get the means of transport for them.

Irfan had to leave as it is namaz time & Teja is also done.

He's pulling the shutters down while Adhvik takes his money out to pay when he realises that he's in short of currency.

When she saw him picking a few single currency, Teja discerned all the notes were spent on shopping that left him with nothing. She looks on thinking what would he do when he pulls out the gold band from his right ring finger giving it to Irfan.

Irfan's eyes are wide as he saw the band laying on his palm, a small stone sparkling from it which he's sure of diamond.

"Thank you for the food & clothes", with a small smile Adhvik walks ahead leaving the other two astonished.

Recovering herself, she jogs to him after cheerfully bidding bye to Irfan ruffling his hair.

He too left, looking at the band in the hand, hoping to meet them again. He liked their company.

They wait at the lay-by making sure Teja is hiding in the shadows while Adhvik make the talks. The trucks go on one after another when Teja noticed a Kishtwar number plate on a truck & asked Adhvik to stop it.

"You be here", he went ahead coming in vision of the driver who looked like a decent middle aged Sikh man.

Adhvik explained their predicament & politely asked for lift to their native. Though it is hard time for them, he didn't lie about anything, he was honest which is one of the four pillars of his life.

Be honest to yourself or to others. That's when they trust you.

The driver is reluctant because who knew where they were from. He couldn't believe the strangers when Teja entered, requesting in between she even told her family name.

He instantly recognised the infamous Verma's & these guys also looked like affluent people. More than that, he couldn't imagine a girl suffering at night, believing his instinct, he agrees to which Teja thank him gratefully.

He opens the back door of truck, Adhvik gets in & before he helps her, Teja first jumps to sit on the floor & then stands up.

It's a white mini splendid truck made up for mountain roads.

Dusting their hands, they walked ahead to see apple boxes tied aside so they won't fall at curves & bundles of hay grass.

Assuring their comfort & even providing them blankets, the driver started the return journey while they adjust on opposite sides.

"Oh my kadavule", Teja closes her eyes thanking her stars for providing a safe transport.

Just a few hours, they would go home.

Though she's tired but the thought of home made her excited. By this time, the news might have spread out, their whole family might be waiting for them.

Adhvik shakes his head at her habit of hanging upon new things & using them here & there.

After 30 mins, while she gets snuggy, nestling herself in the black furry parka, she remembers what he did before,

"You didn't have to give your band.", she is calm & audible.

However, he is just cool, "That's the only thing I have...had to pay."

Teja observes him, he didn't have any hard feelings for losing such a valuable band for a simple parka.

She had her face down, her voice is low,

"I didn't like it", when she glanced up, he's sternly looking her.

"I am not a child, I could have managed.You don't need to do that..for me"

She spat once for all with a calm tone.

But his reaction is not what she expected.

Adhvik casually stands up, makes a bed of hay grass & puts the blankets on it,

"You feel cold?",he asks her not minding what she said before. She's confused but still nods no.

Her eyes widen when all of a sudden he pulls the stole from her neck & covers himself with it after laying down on the grass bed.

She's speechless.

"Wo...",she fumbles not knowing what to say while he close his eyes ignoring her.

Huffing, even she lays her head on the apple cart trying to sleep until she hears him minutes later,

"Why do you believe I was behind the engagement fallout?", Adhvik asked with his eyes closed.

She isn't sleeping as he is listening her huffs & puffs every few seconds.

Teja opened her eyes to see him in the same position,

"You were affirming with Nandu the other day",he continued.

When Teja got what he is talking about, she pukers muttering, "Sneaker"

He heard Nandana & her conversation though he pretended he didn't listen.

She sensed he's expecting a response, so she simply shrugs laying on the cart with closed eyes, "Aur kaun ho saktha hein?"

"Koi bhi. But mein nahi hu", his voice giving away nothing.

"I don't believe but ok"

"Why?",he tilted.

"You would do anything for her happiness.Anything.",she says thinking it would explain all.

Adhvik didn't say anything immediately but when she yawned drowsily, he spoke, "So do you"

He was talking about the fake threat call she made to bring him to his sister.

He wasn't ok with her stunt but he understood it was for Nandana.

"She would do the same for me",she wants to finish the topic without completely taking the blame.

And who knows that better than him? Though they are of same age, his sister pampers this girl like anything because Teja is the trouble magnet between the two. If anyone comes at Teja, Nandana lunges at them without a second thought.

"Wake me up when we enter the town",& just like that he's asleep.

Her stole is warm and soft that it took him to wonderland in no time.

She unknowingly nods with a yawn, seconds later even she's in a deep slumber.

It is almost 11:30 p.m. when the driver dropped them at the centre of their town.

They both got down & thanked him profusely for bringing them safely. Adhvik asked him to come to their home so he could pay him or atleast rest but the driver refused with a smile.

He's just relieved that his instinct was right, the guys are genuine because when he went to tell them they have reached, they were sleeping, one on the cart & the other on the hay grass.

Wishing them night, he left.

It's a 10 min walk from the centre of the town to their home.

Their silent stroll began on the soily path, with both of them on the either sides.

Sekhar's home came into view but Adhvik didn't stop, he continued walking,

"Mein chali jaungi", she said as even he's tired & her grandpa's home is hardly afar.

When Adhvik didn't say anything, she continued the stroll leading to her home.

He stopped when they are almost at the gates, even she too.

"Thank you and...",she gently looks at him ,"Good night"

She turns to leave when she hears him,

"I know my responsibilities well"

He's looking at the ground when she turned to face him, he then looks at in her eye,

"And I never back down from them"

It's his statement for her unnecessary questions as he keenly tells her under the street light.

And her response is calm & rigid, "Pata hein. But I am not your responsibility"

Before anything, they heard a voice, a familiar one, her most favourite one to be precise,

"Bunny?!"

Her eyes widen as she at once snaps back to see her ...father.

"Appa?"

Squealing, she runs to his embrace. Her happiness is the only thing they can hear in the quiet night.

It's a surprise for her.

Her father's embrace is like a clear sky after a storm.

What stumped her was his next line with a forehead kiss,

"Happy Birthday Bunny!"

Picture tho abhi baki hein mera dosth...

A long one!