An instinct to believe...
A cheerful batch of research scholars and paramedical post-graduate students were on their way to attend a conference at Ooty. Sylvia joined the gang along with Mona, Vandy, Mike, Richard, and others. Sylvia had never been to Ooty and it was the first visit for her.
The tickets were booked on a train that traveled to Ooty. The batch planned to get down at Mettupalayam and then board the train that went to Ooty. Sylvia had read about the travel by train to Ooty. The entire group did not sleep till it was midnight and everyone was chatting with one another. The train reached Mettupalayam around 7 am.
To everyone’s disappointment, the train to Ooty was canceled due to technical reasons. With a grudge, they moved out of the railway station to the nearby bus stand and took the bus to Ooty. The entire group could not get seats on a single bus, so they had to split and take different buses to Ooty.
Traveling through the winding roads was also fun. The younger group who traveled on the bus used the moment and cheered whenever the bus took a hairpin bend. The trip was a pleasant and memorable one as Sylvia got the chance to move closer to Mona.
Everyone was preparing for their presentation. Research scholars and postgraduate students gathered in the lobby of the guest house to rehearse their presentation sessions.
“It is boring,” Mona grumbled with a murmur. “I don’t want to do it once again. I want to go out and see Ooty.”
“Shut up” Vandy shouted at her. “It is very cold now. You can’t go out.”
“No. I want to go.” Mona shouted back. “Syl, will you come with me?”
“Sure,” Sylvia replied with a smile. “Luckily, they didn’t ask you to give a presentation” Mona pulled her out from the crowd.
Ooty was quite chilly as it was November. Yet, Sylvia loved to stroll on the streets of Ooty. Mona and Sylvia walked toward the shopping center. The shopping area was quite warm and Sylvia could not believe she was at Ooty. The buildings provided the warmth and so they did their shopping at peace.
On their way back to the guest house, Mona stopped at a Lord Perumal temple. Sylvia was quite surprised to know that Mona could find a temple in a new place. Both of them went to the temple. There was no one at the temple except the priest. It was so calm and soothing to be there.
When Mona stood there praying with her eyes closed, Sylvia wished within her heart that Mona would succeed in everything in her life. Without praying for herself, Sylvia prayed for Mona and could not tell why she prayed for Mona.
Dusk had set in and the street lights were on. The evening walk turned out to be a pleasant one. After sipping a cup of hot tea in a dimly lit tea shop, they walked enjoying the beauty of Ooty.
Mona and Sylvia reached the guest house around 8 pm. Everyone had gone for dinner and both of them rushed toward the dining room. The entire dining room echoed with a cheerful laugh and vibrant talk. The conference organizers arranged for a sightseeing trip and everyone there was excited about the trip.
The next morning every one assembled at the portico of the guest house. It was 7 am and Ooty covered in the mist looked breathtakingly beautiful. After roaming around the botanical garden for a while, the batch walked toward the suicide point.
Sylvia had already read about the famous suicide point at Thottapetta Peak. They had to take a winding path to reach the place. The rich foliage all along the path with the colorful flowers proved a treat. Mona could not help wondering how people could drastically end their lives while nature smiled at them with its beauty.