Carve Your Own Journey #Episode 10

Kabir lay his feet on the wheels towards Matunga; it all seemed magical and miraculous. The last fifteen days had been filled with a huge hustle and bustle. For the first eve in his life Kabir would be spending his days away from his beloved family. The thought of being independent always exhilarated him but today it stole his breath. He had no idea where he would live, but all he knew was that he was en route meeting an authoritative girl and she would have surely done the necessary arrangements.

?The train peddled through yards of green patches, which looked so vibrant and appealing. Each fern, each thin blade of grass expressed itself so vividly. He stood near the windows admiring the unseen wonderment and beauty of nature. It’s when you pass through the so called hedge that’s when you realize the allure of the world that encloses you.

?He evacuated his camera from his bag and commenced taking a video of his journey the landscaped gardens, cobbling curvy rivers and the long wooden trees. The railway train glide through the tall, green mountain and cascading, torrents of waterfalls. The more he gazed at its beauty the more he was lost in it, he yearned to capture all its sights in a video.

As night crawled by he felt drowsy and he sat against the soft seat in the train. The compartment was silent and peaceful with only a few passengers on guard, others were deeply snoring. He detached a carefully enwrapped letter, it was written to him by Vaidehi a bundle of years ago.

Dearest Kabir,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits; it’s been fifteen days since I last wrote to you. A lot took place in the last few days. At least I have been through immense variations, which created me brave from my bones as well as brain. My last letter shared with you excitement about leaving for the trek, I was a bit tensed but thanks for filling my courage within me when I needed it most.

Kabir, this trip has affected me and changed me in levels deeper than my own words can comprehend. I am no longer the dull eyed Vaidu who attended the farewell party.?

After the stay in the enchanting tall hills of the Indian sub-continent I feel the beauty of everything. Each day fills my muscles with a new energy and I cherish every moment of my long life. I began to appreciate things i hardly ever noticed. Yesterday I found a bunch of yellow chrysanthemums that just bloomed. Smiling, I sucked the air and felt rejoiced. I feel alive; I want to be labelled as crazy, as insane as that’s when you make every second happier.

So, I seem to be too philosophical and perhaps stupid. Let's come back to my trek. Today I climbed the steepest hill of my trek. I was left petrified when I first saw the distance we had to mount in a day, actually in a few hours. You know what, something magical took place. It literally felt as if force was pulling towards my destination, neither did I feel the scorching heat nor an unbearable pain in my thighs. I just kept walking and walking and reached the summit earlier than I had anticipated. It felt as if my speed had elevated and my legs weren’t ready for a break. The only word that I can use to describe my enchanting experience is ‘Miracle’

It’s somehow like a thrilling adventure, walking in the middle of the night, in the midst of lush green trees among all the creepy sounds around and you have no idea which creatures you may encounter, you get the feeling of vulnerability somehow mingled with excitement.? The view from the top is beauteous. You see all those farms, never ending patches of forests and those long curvy rivers. As we reach halfway suddenly all cramps vanish as if some magical power stole all negative vibes and blest us with a huge amount of energy.

Count down is launched and it is just two days for my board result and seven days for my sixteenth birthday. Kind of excited as well as nervous as you never know what it concludes. Well, thank you for encouraging me to be a part of this 42-day adventure and motivating me to accomplish it. I promise I won’t look back and keep marching till I accomplish my desire

Enough for now, i long to tell you loads when I return. Take care and you will always mean a lot to me. I am not going to say goodbye as I will write to you soon.??

Yours lovingly,

Vaidehi,

Little did he know that the four letters encarved to form soon meant never. They had almost lost touch after this letter; she indeed changed a lot. No letters followed only a full scale row took place which shattered the very roots of friendship.

Kabir timidly stepped towards the renowned institute, after ending his train journey; he deposited his luggage in a guest house and served his way towards his dream college. He gradually crafted his journey towards his aspiration.

Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College is a college affiliated to the University of Mumbai, in Matunga district of Mumbai. Established in June 1937, the institute is one of the most highly reputed faculties for arts and science in the Asian subcontinent.?

?The infrastructure was quite splendid and it dazzled Kabir’s eyes, a massive construction and cool campus, it exactly reflected Kabir’s fantasy. In the centre lay the famous Ruia quadrangle, which threw out college vibes. Youngsters sat against the benches either reading or sharing their views. The atmosphere was filled with chaos and humor.?

At one side of the quadrangle lay a stage and as he peered he could see young girls practicing Kathak twirls, his thoughts flew towards the day when he saw Vaidehi dressed in Indian avatar as she stole the breath of audience. Her sensuous eyes steadily twitched her lips carved in a stunning way. She would fall and sprang up again as if a flower was blooming. The beads of sweat slithering down through her curly hair gave him sudden jolt and her lips trembled as they moved apart. Towards the end the auditorium was filled with a gasp and a loud round applause as her razor moves had conquered all the hearts. She gracefully accepted the deafening applause.

“Hey, Kabir, you were going to come after five days right, Vaidu had communicated about your arrival,” Decked in a sleeveless button down shirt, Veronica gave him a push from behind and almost screamed in his ears, as a delightful chuckle followed.

“Ayee Veronica, You scared the crap out of me. Nice to see you,” He took a pause and continued “When can I associate myself with the faculty,” He gleaned at his childhood friend and gave away a firm handshake followed by a warm hug. Beads of precipitation had drenched his hair and he shoved them aside.

“Today, if it’s fine with you as we are badly in need of a biology professor” Her voice danced in his tympanum as she fumbled for words.

“Yes, I would love to,” And so Veronica directed him towards the principal’s cabin.?