Innocent Impressions

It was a Sunday afternoon of last quarter of 2014 when my husband checked his personal emails and got to know that he is selected for an adventure sport training course for 15 days in one of the coldest peaks of India, Gulmarg. He was overwhelmed with joy as he had been yearning for this course and trying to get a seat since 2 years.

He was equally curious to take me and our 4-year old daughter for a trip to Gulmarg. So, the plan was that all 3 of us go 5-6 days before his training starts, enjoy the coldest weather and play in snow there in January 2015, and then I return to Mumbai with my little angel and he continues with his training.

But as always destiny had to play its role and it did. Somehow, the leaves from the office and the travel dates didn’t match. So, the alternate plan was that he will complete his training and we both will join him on his last day and then be there for few days for a leisure trip.

I had lived in a joint family since the day I got married and hence whenever I had to go anywhere with my daughter either my husband or anyone from the family always accompanied me. Now the question was me travelling alone with my little angel upto Gulmarg!!!... A question which was controversial in the entire family. It created such a chaos and hurricane as if the Bollywood censor board approved some nudity in the Hindi family movie!

Finally, we overcame the discussions and calmed everyone. My husband was immensely worried but thankfully had trust in me that I can travel alone in the flight with our daughter. He made all the possible arrangements, much more than what he did even for our wedding or honeymoon. We went shopping for warm clothes, our packing, our luggage weight, do and don’t while travelling in a flight, tickets, booked a cab from the house to airport, another vehicle from Srinagar airport upto his institute, everything and just everything. He also installed some app in both our mobile phones so that once we land Srinagar he can track us up to his institute as it was a long route by road and half of it was fully snow clad!

So, as planned he left for training, safely reached there, enjoyed his training to the fullest in life and cleared his certification with flying colours. He used to send snow pics to us from his window pane and our daughter was very happy and it was unbelievable for her that there exists a place where snow is actually on the ground and roof of the house. So, she was very excited to go for this trip.

Finally the day came when we had to leave for the early morning flight. We both were ready with broad smiles and confidence for an exciting journey. Looking back today, I feel I was happier to go alone than to enjoy the trip though I missed my hubby a lot. He was also sad as he missed our daughter’s first trip by flight. The cab arrived on the scheduled time. I had picked a huge rucksack on my back so that I can pick up my daughter in my arms whenever the need be and move on without anyone’s help. I still remember her cutest pic on the airport in white full sleeves warmer and red pants with a red jacket. For the first time, I found that Santa Claus was less cuddly than my daughter with the spark in her eyes and a smile from ear to ear!

We boarded the flight and she was immensely happy. The sight of clouds from the window and the air hostess waiving her a hi and giving her a beautifully packed box of dryfruits made her feel so special that she didn’t even wink after waking up so early. She enjoyed the flight journey to the fullest. We landed Srinagar airport and it was 10 degree temperature there. Thankfully we were in our thermals and it made us feel cosy. We came out of the airport and looked out for our vehicle and the driver. I tried a lot but somehow my phone showed no signals of any network. Luckily the driver arrived with a sign board and I could find him. I asked him to call my husband from his mobile and to my dismay my husband said that he is calling from a different number. Yes, the struggle started of being alone in an unknown state with my little angel.

My husband was gonna come to airport to receive us but he had his final exam at the same time and he could not make it. He did a few checks with the driver over the call and we boarded the Jeep. My daughter who had woke up very early as she was excited finally dozed off as soon as we got in the Jeep. The roads were yet not covered with snow when we were near the airport. It was a little foggy and cold.

The driver then told me that he is diverting as he needs to fill fuel in the Jeep. I was worried but had no choice and said yes. All the time I was trying all the possible settings on my phone to start. The app with which my husband could track us didn’t work as the phone could not get even the bleakest signal of network!

Then the driver took us to another place and said we are going to some office to pick few people, out of which one was supposed to be my husband’s trainer and friend. He left us in the Jeep and went inside some office which was in a residential set up on ground floor. I was worried. My daughter was sleeping on my lap and there were not many people around. I had no option but remained seated in the Jeep trying to be calm and alert.

After some time, few men came and boarded the Jeep. My daughter was sleeping. My phone was not working and I had no contacts with neither my husband and nor with anyone in the family. I was worried and helpless but could not loose faith. I had to be strong. Somewhere my husband’s trainer sensed it and he dialed my husband’s number and spoke to him and told him that tell bhabhiji that she will reach you safely. I spoke to my husband who was now sounding relieved than the earlier call with the driver. He assured me that that the trainer is his very good friend and I am in safe company.

The crowd on the road became less as we passed the busy city area and headed towards the institute. The men were talking among themselves and I was only trying to get to make my non sense phone to work but the efforts were in vain. It was a perfect example of how technology ditches you when you most need it and how depending on technology does not help and I had to be on my own to reach the destination!

Half way they stopped the Jeep and everyone got down. I didn’t understand the problem. As my daughter was sleeping on my lap they asked to be in the Jeep. They then explained that as the roads ahead will be full of snow, they tie the chains on the tyres for safe journey. All this while, I was tensed, worried, alert and my daughter was sleeping in the cold weather. Everyone in the jackets and caps looked similar and in Srinagar everyone usually looks at outsiders with a suspicious look. This does not give a comfort feeling at all even if people are good and they try to help you.

As we were just about the reach the institute in few minutes, my daughter woke up and rubbed her eyes and saw the sparkling white snow everywhere. She was amazed at the sight. The sky was clear and white, the pine trees were clad with snow. The road were full of thick layer of snow and till wherever we could see, it was a white blanket!

The first sentence she said was, “Mamma, the trees must be feeling so cold. They have no jacket and are covered with so much snow.” I smiled and explained her that God has given them natural blanket due to which they can survive in snowy weather. I then told her to wear her shoes as her feet became cold even after wearing 2 pair of socks. Her next thought was, “Mamma, please remove your shoes and pick me in your arms”. I told her that you are a strong kid and you can walk. She said that she can walk but her shoes are dirty and she didn’t want to spoil the white snow and make it dirty by stamping her shoes on it!

I was amazed and wondered who loved and cared for the nature so much? Only children can think this as they are truly innocent angels. I forgot all the stress I was going through and just hugged her tight!

I do not have these experiences written everywhere but those 2 innocent impressions are as fresh within my memory and heart as if it was just yesterday!...I wished if we all cared for nature even half of these thoughts, the world would have been a much better and a healthier place to live in. Isn’t it?