Iris

"6'o clock it is."

He replied "Okay. Cya."

"All set?" She asked.

"Yo!"

"Cya then."

It was a usual hot and humid summer morning of May, rooster in the neighbourhood beats the alarm and woken him up, he searched for his mobile around his pillow and it was 5:14 just one minute shy of the alarm time, so he turned to the other side of the bed and waited for the alarm to buzz.

At 5:15 he was woken to the tune of 'marimba' and went straight to the shower.He hurried his way to the kitchen and made a cup of tea, and while sipping it, he stood in his balcony and saw the people were coming back from the mosque after offering the morning prayer, street lights were still on as the sky changed its colour from black to grey to yellow and orange and parts blue,sun started peeping from the east of the street, birds were chippering and flying from God knows where to God knows where, upper part of the trees were waving to the tune of morning breeze, which seems like a promise of bearably hot day, sweeper creating large clouds of dust, with every sweep of his broom.

He can hear a lady shouting at his son in the nearby house "If you don't go to the school I will make you sit at the workshop" which brought a smile on his face and made him recall his school days and similar dialogue of his mother, an old man was washing his old FIAT 'Padmini' in a distant house. 

He finished his tea with a large gulp and picked his bag, and keys and left.

As he shuffled through the radio stations in his car searching for a perfect song for the morning, mobile buzzed.

"You up?"

"On the way. Will be there in 20 mins."

"Cool."

Meanwhile shuffling the radio stations, he reached her place without finding any suitable song and parked his car into the cramped parking outside her house, as all the other cars are lined up bumper to bumper in the street, somehow he managed to find a spot.

As he pressed the doorbell an old lady with white hair and wrinkled face,head covered with a dupatta and flicks of hair were visible from her chin, answered the door with a smile on her face, she asked "Haanji! You must be Abbas.. Come on in. Come have some breakfast."

"Haanji.. Namaste aunty." He replied and smiled sheepishly and went to the dining area, the old lady went to the kitchen to make some aalo prantha for him as well. 

She was sitting on a small stool, with long strands of her black hair touching the blades of her shoulders and rest of them were tied into a pin. She was wearing a top with black and white stripes on it, and black jeggings hugging her well shaped legs, he sat next to her, beside other girls on the table and she introduced them to him and told him they are joining them on the trip.

The wheatish girl with round face and talking eyes in blue vest and tie&die skirt, and hair tied into a bun was Priti.

The other girl was Sarah, she has long face with her hair brushing her pink cheeks, with little hints of acnes on them, she was wearing simple pink tshirt and blue three-fourths and she looks bit bulkier. 

After exchanging the pleasantries, and having rich on fat breakfast, they all headed towards their destination.

She sat next to him in the passenger seat. While both Sarah and Priti were in the backseat.

She asked "Supp! What's the plan dude?"

"Do I look like a man with a plan!" He mimicked the joker.

And they all laughed.

Priti interrupted and asked "Can I smoke, inside your car?"

He hesitatingly said "Yes, or maybe we both can, we will have a halt after 50km, so if you can control the urge till than."

"Sure thing, Sweets!" She replied.

He smiled at her and concentrated on the road ahead.

Priti took out her camera and started clicking the pictures of the sideways and passerbys.

He asked Priti "What's your poison girl?"

"I prefer mild.. what is yours?"

"B&H" he replied.

"You don't drink?" She enquired.

To which he confirmed.

She furthered "Is it something to do with religion? Or you just don't feel like?" 

He took a deep breath and answered

"Truly speaking, the answer is multi layered.

Firstly its religion, though I am not very religious.

Secondly its my parents. They trust me for this and I don't want to break their trust. And thirdly I have seen a lot of bad happening because of drinking. And lastly my first girlfriend was strictly against drinking. So I hope that answers your question."

Priti quietly listened and let it sink in. 

Meanwhile he asked "What do you say Gulabo?" 

She instantly replied 

"Its simple. I am against drinking. No layered answer needed." 

And she continued 

"What do you say Sarah? You drink. Right?" Sarah was staring into the blank space and she took a while to answer

"Look man! My fundamental is little different from yours.I don't mind drinking beer or any drink with low content of alcohol. Because in my personal interpretation of religion its drunkardness that's prohibited not drinking in which you don't loose your senses. So, keeping this in mind I don't mind drinking occasionally."

He replied "That's another way to look at it. You are not right, you just have different interpretation, which is okay."

"I think so." Sarah shrugged her shoulders.

And he pulled over at the food plaza, Priti took out her cigarette box and lighter went under the shade of a tree. While Sarah and Gulabo went to answer the call of nature.

He and Priti were taking long drags from their cigarettes Priti said "Look! If you put your thumb on the back of the filter while holding your cigarette, it will last longer."

He smiled and said "Damn girl! You are an old time smoker."

She laughed and said "Damn right!"

Sarah and Gulabo were walking towards them stretching their limbs.

And he offered the cigarette to Sarah which she declined saying "I don't want to die young."

He smiled and said "Everyone smoke to enjoy. I smoke to die."

Gulabo smirked at this and said "Once you are done putting coffin nails, come inside to drink something, it's getting hotter out here."

All of them followed Gulabo into the plaza and grabbed their cans of cola and juices, and came back to the parking.

Priti moved to the front seat and took charge of the music by pluging in the auxiliary wire into her mobile and played some bollywood numbers.

And for couple of minutes there was a silence in the car except for the voice of Lata Tai singing 'Ajeeb Dastan hai yeh.' and the sound of the passing by vehicles.

He checked the time it was 10:35 am, and Gulabo' s mobile rung, she hushed all and asked to slow down the car and with a meak voice she answered the call and informed someone on the other side that she is not well,and as she disconnected the call we all laughed at her unbelievable change of voice.

She informed us it was her boss, she hasn't informed him about the day's leave and had to make an excuse of illness.

After driving for 100 more km, the hilly terrain started, and they stopped for another cigarette break. 

Sarah insisted on driving, so Abbas took the backseat along with Gulabo.

He checked the google map to ascertain the time left to reach the camp side, and the map showed 47 minutes and 23 km, he stretched his legs and took the cushion to rest his head closed his eyes while the girls carried out the chit chat about the vices of government policies.

Sarah stopped the car at the picturesque landscape, from where you can see seven curves of the road, so Priti took out her camera and started taking the pictures. And after clicking whole lot of photographs, Sarah resumed the driving at her slow and steady pace. Crossing various iron bridges over the river and ravines.

Voice of the girl from the google map declared that they have arrived at their destination, over a iron bridge overlooking a campside beside the ravine, where the small hut shaped camps are lined up.

After parking the car, they crossed the the small temporary wodden bridge over the ravine to reach to the camp.

Their tour guide Raunak was ready to welcome them, in his multi pocket camouflage jacket with rugged jeans and brown ankle length boots, sitting tall in a cane chair.

As he saw them coming, he approached them and introduced himself. Gulabo knew his name, as she was the one who arranged the trip. 

He gave them the tour of the place. 

It was  gravelled floor, with an arrangement of wood in the middle of it for bonfire and in front of them there were around ten pyramid shaped camps were erected and in the backdrop there were big green hills, which was making it picturesque and sight to behold and on the backside of the camps there was a cemented platform amid the big green bushes and trees, on which small washrooms were made and washbasins were fixed on the outer walls,to the left of the entrance there was a dining area, with low plastic chairs, and tables, in the corner table lunch was ready to be served in big serving bowls.

He made them sit there and served the tea in paper cups, while Gulabo went on completing the paper formalities with him on the side table and asked for other ids.

Priti took her tea and went outside, Sarah followed her.

While Abbas joined Gulabo to complete the paper formalities.

Raunak has given them revised itinerary, and made them sign at few places on the paper.

After refreshments, they all headed towards their respective tents to take some rest and gear for the evening trek which was scheduled at 5:30 pm.

At 5:15 Abbas came out of his tent ready for the trek and sat on the chair under the shade of the tree and light his cigarette, Priti joined him at the chair near him and started clicking pictures of the birds and trees around the place and they both waited for the other two to get ready.

Few minutes later they were at the bottom of the rocky trek, which was bustling with people as there was small waterfall, which looks like as if the mountain is perspiring, but the people couldn't stop taking pictures in front of it, as if it is their last chance to see a waterfall. 

There was a small shop in the corner, Gulabo went to buy water bottles for them, and handed one to each, before they start the trek.

Abbas and Gulabo were leading the way, as Sarah and Priti were taking their time scaling the trek.Priti was stopping every now and than to click some pictures and Sarah to cath her breath. As the distance increased between them Abbas and Gulabo sat down on a big rock and gulped down the water and Gulabo took the small towel from her backpack and wiped her sweat and Abbas aped her.

While Sarah and Priti were struggling thier way upto the top. They stopped and sat down on a rock, little away from Abbas and Gulabo.

Sarah shouted to Gulabo "Wohoo Girl! You are such a 'Mountain Goat' they all laughed and Gulabo stood up on the rock and posed for Priti.

Sarah slowly walked to Abbas and sat beside him, while Gulabo and Priti were engaged in photo session.

Sarah asked "Is it your first time here?"

"Yes. How about you?" He replied.

"Mine too."

"You liking it?"

"So far.So good. I would say."

"Same here."

"You wanna go further?"

He stood up and started the trek and she followed. 

And after trekking for couple of minutes they came to a quaint halt. Snow covered peaks of distant mountains are visible with rays of sun making them shine brighter and the breeze felt fresh.They all set there marveling the landscape.

Sarah took out her mobile and started clicking the pictures, while Priti took out the cigarette and offered one to Abbas. And they both smoked taking long drags.

Sarah said 

"This looks very familiar. Its almost like one of your painting has come to life, Gulabo."

Gulabo smiled from ear to ear, and said 

"Alas! I don't paint landscapes anymore. I am more into portrait now."

"Why the shift? Your landscapes are utterly satiating."

"Idk. I want to try something new."

Abbas interrupted "As far as I know, portraits are more challenging. Ain't they?"

"They definitely are.That's why we have so many famous portrait painters. Unlike few landscapes ones."

"True that." He replied.

There was silence for couple of minutes, and as Priti finished her cigarette she said 

"I think we should descend now, the sun is about to set."

Gulabo added 

"Yes, and moreover I am hungry now."

"Lets have some maggie." Abbas suggested.

Sarah cut him short "No. We will go to german bakery overlooking the river near the bridge. I googled, and they say its a must visit place here."

Abbas insisted on having maggie. So all others agreed to it on a condition that, after the maggie they will go and explore the bakery.

The fragrance of chocolates,cookies,coffee and freshly baked cakes welcomed them at the bakery. They sat on the table overlooking the river, the sun has set and the hue of the sky has changed to grey, and so was reflecting on the river, the voice of chants from the nearby temple was filling the place. A little boy came and slid the menu cards on the table along with a jug of water and glasses.

And as they ordered the food, Raunak called Gulabo and informed her about the dinner timing which was till 8:30pm and at 9:30pm they will start the bonfire. Since it was already 7 they decided to not have dinner at the camp and they will stuff up at bakery.

They all set there gazing incandescently into the blank space sipping the coffee, the chants from the temple were fading away, the music in the background is catching up with Eagles singing 'Hotel California' Priti and Abbas started humming the song, and Abbas faced Priti and said "We are all just prisoners here of our own device." 

And she replied "You can check out any time you like,But you can never leave!"

"Damn! the lyrics,the beats,the guitar, everything is fucking amazing about this song. Its makes me nostalgic."

"Not nostalgic. But yeah! Its pretty good." Priti retorted.

And Priti turned to Gulabo and asked "Whatsup Frida Kohlo? What's the plan?"

"Let's sit here a little longer."

"I second that." Sarah added.

Abbas ordered another round of coffee for all.

A young lad in white kurta and dhoti and extensive vermilion on his forehead and a little pinch on the neck and a sling bag with knotted straps on his shoulder wearing wooden sandals came to them with hardcover copies of 'Bhagvad Gita' and started his sales pitch.

"Namaste! My name is Karan, I am from ISKCON, we are selling these hardcover copies of Bhagvad Gita, which is not just a book, its a guiding light for the dark paths of our life, its a fountain of knowledge for those who seek,at reduced prices. Would you like to buy."

Abbas enquired "What's the price?"

He replied "Sir, if you go to the market or order online it will cost you Rs.250, but since you are in the holy city we offer you a reduced price of Rs. 150."

Sarah took out the money from her bag and passed on to Abbas, who furthered the conversation with Karan.

"Don't you think Karan, since its more than a book and as you said its a fountain of knowledge, and ISKCON, being such a big movement, you should be distributing it for free."

Karan give him a big smile and said "Sir, I am not a position to comment on that. But every good thing comes with a price."

Abbas gave him a dismissive smile and said "And I thought knowledge is free."

Abbas gave him the money and handed the book to Sarah and told her "They should be distributing it free, like if you go to church there are copies of Old and New Testament which you can take home without giving anything in return. And similarly if you go to Golden Temple books on religious literature are free for grab."

"Perhaps they should. Its a great idea, I think you can write to them suggesting about it. Maybe they can come up with a paperback version." Suggested Gulabo.

Priti said "I don't see the point of having these hardcover books, when you can have every damn book online and most of them free."

Sarah choose to avoid answering the Priti and quickly finishing her coffee and stretching her limbs she said"Lets go for a walk.Lets explore the holy city." to which all others agreed.

Minutes later they were roaming the lanes and by lanes of the city flooded with temples in every nook and corner with cows tied infront of them. Firangs and sadhus were smoking pots at every ghat. Large group of foreigners walking down the streets chanting 'Hare Kirshna! Hare Krishna!'

Sarah and Priti stopped at a shop to buy some souvenirs, while Gulabo and Abbas went to the ghat and sat down on the stairs, clicking pictures with the mobile phone.

Abbas checked the time, it was 9:30. He said to Gulabo "I think we should head back to camp."

"Okay lets move." and she texted Priti to come to parking lot.

As they reached the camp, the music was loud, people were dancing, Priti took out the beer bottle and gave one to Sarah and passed the cigarette to Abbas and they all sat there staring at the bonfire, and Gulabo started dancing and pulled Priti who gulped down the beer and joined her and slowly Abbas and Sarah joined them. Meanwhile Priti finished four more bottles and passed out,so Gulabo left her to the tent and came back, and sat on the raised platform alongside Abbas, as Sarah has gone to the corner to attend some call.

They have shut down the music as some fight has erupted between drunkards. So, it was all silent as all the people have retired to their respective tents. 

Gulabo and Abbas took a small stroll and sat down on the patch of grass.The sky was clear, the breeze was having nip of chill, the dogs are howling at a distance,the crickets were creating a cacophony and the ripples in the nearby river were roaring. 

Gulabo told him about the latest break up of Priti and how bad she is at handling it. She needs some break to shake it off of her head, to unwind and get some energy in life. 

And Sarah is still stuck on her ex even though she is engaged to some guy in Dubai, how is turning out to be such chauvinist pig, he wants to hold the threads of Sarah like she is his puppet.She wants to break it off, just taking her sweet time.

And they were silent for couple of minutes,slowly they lay down on the grass, staring at the stars.

Gulabo touched his knuckles and said "I wish we could live like this forever. The time would freeze."

"This is it, Gulabo. Its going to be gone soon."

"I know."

"What do we do?"

"Enjoy it. Because I could die right now, Abbas.I'm just... happy. I've never felt that before. I'm just exactly where I want to be."

"May you always be where you want to be."

"This is the closest to heaven that I will ever be, and I don't wanna go home."