My eyes were wide awake by the gentle sound of flurries that engulfed the landscape, fueled by lightning in the distance on snow-laden peaks in the wilderness. My bliss was interrupted by the hummingbird which was moving vigorously as if to indicate an impending doom or a sweet omen. Although, just a few hours back no one had envisaged such an event when we were just trundling along in the markets. The trip itself wouldn't've happened if not for a chance meeting with Frosty.
It was in the month of October that I met her at a cafe looking on to the door as if waiting for someone. To give you an idea of Frosty’s charm, her eyes were resplendent with pearls shining like a firefly on a dark night, her face had a smile to greet you even when you are not looking at her and she was wearing a semi-colored blue top with a friendly stole inviting you to just glance at her. About an hour later, she came up to me and said ‘What are you doing here? I said, cheekily, ‘I was waiting for someone who didn't turn up. ‘Oh!’, she said as if trying to establish contact with me. This conversation went on for about an hour before we left, although not before a meaningful bond was established. A month later, she called me to one of her social events and directly invited me to one of her adventure trips in Sikkim. At first, I was taken aback by her request, but later, I gently nodded in approval. A couple of weeks later, it was decided to start our journey to the Himalayas. Little did I know at that point that my life was about to change forever.
Our group along with Frosty arrived in Sikkim a couple of days later. We had traversed around 1500 Kms to reach our destination. Our journey was mostly smooth as it was planned so meticulously by our agent. We had reached in the evening, with a magical sunset greeting us in all their magnificence. The hills were covered in a blanket of snow with the lights gleaming like orchids on the high slopes. The next morning, we woke up to bright sunshine with the Himalayan horizon in all its glory. It looked like it snowed the preceding night and the sky was so clear and beautiful with the valleys bathing in sunshine. It truly looked like we had transcended into heaven with the world far away from our glance. We left for the tour after a sumptuous breakfast for a skiing adventure.
We arrived at the ski center an hour later with a beautiful drive along the eastern ghats greeting us with their pristine meadows and quaint detours. We changed into our skiing gear with Frosty looking ravishing in her stylish goggles and her trendy winter wear. She grabbed me from behind and whispered to me ‘Let’s go for a real adventure’. I trembled from the winter cold and the knowledge that this wasn’t looking good, I responded ‘I am not sure but let's do it’. We went on the skiing adventure together in what would later be known as the beginning of the Frosty affair. It was a truly surreal and breathtaking experience for us with Frosty and me finally sharing a meal together. We came back later in the evening to our hotel and stayed together for the night. I couldn't get enough of her and she was just too passionate to notice anything but the beauty of the Himalayas and the power of attraction. However, our paradise was short-lived as an impending storm was brewing in the hills.
We woke up that morning pretty early as a shrill sound of the thunder that had hit the beautiful hamlet as a depression had formed in the Bay of Bengal which led to a snowstorm in the hills. Frosty wasn’t in her element as she gently pushed me towards her and yelled ‘I am trembling with fear, I don't know if I will make it alive’. I calmed her and said that ‘This storm too shall pass’. The storm called as ‘Drifty’ by the experts continued to wreak havoc as trees were shattered, the streets buzzing with tourists now lay splintered like leaves in autumn. There was almost no visibility for about 5 kms, it was an innocuous name for a superstorm. 3 days later, the storm finally abated, but not before it had caused severe damage to life and property. Our group got together and decided to leave the place but Frosty suggested me to spend another night that echoes hope and prosperity. Finally, it was decided to have a bonfire later that night.
Frosty planned the entire bonfire evening, riddled with games, music and delicious food prepared from the wild. We went together to pick up logs for the bonfire and some tasty appetizers for our meals. The sky was clear for the first time in nearly 5 days which set the scene for a glorious night filled with stories, anecdotes and truths related to our deepest secrets. Frosty also told us about our deepest secrets which amused and surprised the gathering present there. It was time for the main highlight of the evening- a plethora of Indi, Bollywood and rock songs had us tapping our feet with great vigor and excitement. After some time, our meals were ready which contained an assortment of spicy and continental food. Finally, it was time to relax and get ready for our journey back home as it was almost midnight.
Our tents displayed shades of the sun at around 8 in the morning. We had camped in the middle of the forest with the beautiful snow-capped valleys staring at us as if to stop us from leaving the Himalayan abode. Life, though is truly cruel, it makes space for our beautiful memories but never lets us truly get embroiled in the peaks of our emotions. Although I was leaving today, a part of the soul was left here as if wandering for hope and inspiration. We arrived at the airport in the evening with only memories and Frosty for company.
This affair clings on to me like cold during winter months, never letting me sleep and live an ordinary life. Frosty still resides inside me walking along with me on lonely streets but alas, the frosty mountains are not there to welcome and calm me with their tight embrace.