Ch 2. A Journey to Dehradun

The girls started their journey at four in the morning. Being the most prolific driver, Kriti drove the car, and all three of them set forth on their first journey and road trip of their lives. The roads were dimly lit, and the whole place was deserted. Kriti was a good driver, but she was driving outstation for the first time. Nia and Kriti had no trouble in getting the permission from their parents, but, Alisha had to lie to her father that she is staying at Nia’s house for two days for learning cooking and all. ‘Thank you mumma’ said Alisha. Her mother knew about their trip and allowed her daughter to go. Alisha’s mother was a woman in forties. She married very early at the age of sixteen, and many of her dreams remained unfulfilled, but she wanted her daughter to enjoy life to the fullest and achieve all her dreams that she could not.

‘Hey, let’s play the track Dil Chahta Hai’ said Nia. A sensational song amongst youths those days. They played thrilling and party songs throughout their journey, love songs of movie Jannat that was released that year and Priyanka Chopra’s Desi girl songs. They sang together and danced, and very soon half of their eight-hour journey completed. They decided to take rest and eat at the nearby and only restaurant that looked more like dhabba. ‘I will eat butter chicken and tandoori naan’ said Alisha. Nia ordered a pizza, and Kriti enjoyed hot tea and sandwiches. They rested for one hour and again started off their journey.

‘I am too tired’ said Kriti. Alisha giggled and offered to drive. But after witnessing her Activa rides, the girls finally settled that Nia should drive. Nia was nervous yet excited but managed to drive perfectly after few hours. ‘I am feeling sleepy’ said Alisha. Jhalli you always feel sleepy, eat more butter chicken, you will feel better, Kriti said laughingly. It was around 12’o clock, and they were about to reach their destination. Kriti had already booked a room in the hotel Ramada Dehradoon Chakrata Road, and all three of them jumped on the bed excitedly and said ‘Finally, we are in Dehradoon’. And laughed.

‘Hey! We are not here to rest, let’s go out girls and enjoy the weather’ said Nia. ‘I have heard about the famous Lacchiwalla valley, we will go there,’ said Kriti and all three of them drove to the famous fun Valley of Dehradun, Lacchiwalla.