Reaching Salli

After spending two days with Sonu in Ambala we were getting eager to reach Salli. We had already picked up Noor and were all set for our journey towards the mountains. There were two tourists who wanted to visit Salli. So we decided to travel together in their car. Sonu came to drop us till their car. We took his leave promising to meet again soon. We were set for an 8 hours long journey. Madhu and Noor always had trouble with long journeys by car. Train's 3 tier AC was their preferred choice. Sadly there weren't train routes yet in Himachal connecting to Dharamshala. If happened that would be definitely one of most beautiful train route considering the beautiful landscape of Himachal. While Madhu was doing formal chit chatting with the tourists and giving them details about Salli, I was busy talking with Noor. After all, we had to do a lot of catching since we had met last time which was 6 months ago. I, Madhu and Noor was sitting at the back while both the tourists were at the front of the car. Noor was sitting on my lap rather than on the seat. She reminded me from our last meeting what she had already told me, 'Maratha, I am not born to sit down.' Yes, she was a little princess. For a 6-year-old, her confidence was sky-high. Her all time smiling face and enthusiastic way of talking was emanating how lively she was.

Noor was a mere reflection of her mother. I was embarrassingly reminding myself all the brainless activities I had done as a 6-year-old kid. I was nowhere close to Noor. Her pure energy was contagious which would bring great peace within me. I would just keep looking at her with awe while she would keep talking nonstop........ just like her mother. Noor was fond of playing with my curly hair since our first meeting. My dark complexion and curly hair combination were amusing for her. As most people from the North were blessed with fair skin and good looks. My looks matched more from the South. She would often experiment with my hair by tying them in some crazy ways. And then ask me to check in the mirror while looking at my expression wating to see my admiration for her work. I would check and just laugh looking at how kids can make you feel like a kid all over again. A child was a blessing for a man. What our parents, teachers, books and universities fail to teach us, a child teaches us in a very simple and loving way. Noor was my cute little teacher. I was in love with that kid since I had met her for the first time. I was holding her in my arms while she was peacefully sleeping after getting tired of talking.

We had stoped on our way multiple times for lunch, tea and dinner. It was getting dark. The curvy roads leading to Salli were the most dangerous ones. They were cutting through the high mountains without any guard rails on the side exposing vehicles to the deep valley. Some patches were really bad covered with stones and landslide debris making it difficult to drive. Exploring those roads at night time was no less than an adventure. I was eager to see the house without giving a damn to that scary drive. We reached Salli at around 10pm. It was a pitch-black night. We had to climb 200 meters up in that darkness to reach home. Everybody switched on their phone torch. Noor was already asleep so I was carrying her. There was a big stream on the way which had rocks. One had to cross the stream by walking on those rocks. I had balanced myself safely with Noor in my arms. We were making our way through the forest with those bare minimum lights from phones. We had almost reached the house as I remembered the turn from where one could see the first sight of the house. I was in complete excitement to see the house. Unlike last time, I wasn't looking at the house just as a guesthouse but as my home now. I was waiting to see the house in its full glory, in the next day mornings sunshine.

The Real Journey In Himachal Had Just Begun.