Every year at the end of May there would be a village fair in Salli. In the same days, I had visited Himachal 2 years back for the first time and witnessed that beautiful funfair with Noor and Madhu. The work at the Naddi office was keeping me away from Salli for long times, and that was becoming frustrating. That year the funfair got scheduled on weekdays, and I had to miss it due to work. Or was still in India helping us to stabilize the project. Soon he was going to fly back to his home country Israel. We had found two technical guys for our project, and their training with Or was going good. Most of the work was getting in line, and we were making the process more systematic. Our client in Israel was happy about the current work, and so was Noa. Few complicated tests were assigned to be designed for which everyone in the team would brainstorm every day. There were many bugs in the system, and also the test flow was not getting logically set.
My mind was still swinging like a pendulum from Salli to Naddi. I was not sure which way to choose for the future. My purpose to come to Himachal was not to live in Naddi but to live with Noor and Madhu in Salli. My desire to make money was driving me to go to Naddi and stay there all alone away from my family for 4 days and then again drive to Salli to stay with them for 3 days. I started thinking, do I want to swing like that all my life? I was searching for solutions to have the best of both worlds. I would sit with Or discussing life after office hours. He would roll a joint and I would make masala chai. We both would think alike and I had sensed that we had the same mindset. He also would share his life stories and his plans in Israel. Sometimes we would watch movies and shows from his Netflix account. Or was the best company I had while working on that project.
On one Thursday evening, I went to Salli just after the village fair. I quenched my thirst for being at the fair by watching the videos and photos of the fair. There were many backpackers in the house as it was nearing the season. Sometimes they would find their love in the group, and new chemistry between two people would become evident to everyone. I had seen videos of one of our Israeli guest who had participated in the funfair wrestling and won the fight. His name was Eitan. He was a lovely young boy who had found his love in the group of backpackers. We would see both of them sitting near the stream, walking in the forest and cherishing each others company. I had not seen a fighter in him, especially after witnessing his soft and loving side for his girl. Love was in the air. Eitan would help us in the kitchen. Maybe to show his girl the cooking qualities in him. Everyone who visited Salli had left unforgettable memories in our heart. Soon I had to leave for work.
My brain was in Naddi and my heart in Salli.
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