"Dad...Is it really important to go to the family thing we have on Sunday?"
"Why ? What happened? Do you have some other plans? "
"Actually Dylan and some friends are planning an overnight, kind of like a hike to Khandala."
" Its ok, no need to come, it's not such a big deal , there will be too many old women anyways, I'll take care of it"
"Thanks dad, awesome!!!"
I got to my phone , "Hey bro, wazzup man, guess what !! I'm coming!!! Hmm...ok ...cool...I'm good with knots and stuff, no worries... Sleeping bag? Ya got it around somewhere...anything else you need me to get...ya...ok...tickets...ok...super...see ya evening...ciao."
I kept the phone aside, 'let's get kicking' I thought to myself.
*********
" You truly gotta earn this view" says Elvis perched on a high rock. Lean, impossibly fair, small, goatee, light footed, they don't call him 'White Monkey' for nothing. Somehow I always have related him with a chihuahua the traits of one suit him so perfectly.
" you are only the fourth person to have visited this sanctuary. Elvis, Raghu and myself being the other three" remarks Dylan as he towers above us, all 6'2" of him, all skin and bones. He looks frail but has the determination of a war horse. Twenty metres of rope coiled around his lean frame and a knee brace complete the 'look'.
"I feel honoured " I say in the over exaggerated fashion of one who has just been knighted. I look around at the cascading showers of water, shifting all the time, making the faint sunlight scatter into the colours of the rainbow.
"Yes, you definitely have to earn the view " I agree. " Why don't we try to get the others here? we can get the rope down, it should not be too difficult then."
The decision is unanimous, we can't let the others( twelve others to be precise ) miss the view, it's what we came for. One last look at the hidden waterfall and we head back to base camp, all the while in search of an easier path for the others.
**********
"Brrrrrrrr... It's 17.8 degrees" I proclaim, my eyes on the Casio pro trek on my wrist. 'its worth every dollar I paid' I think. I'm kind of a gizmo, gadget and tech lover.
"Come on in guys! It's not thhhhhaatttt coooooold... " I know I can't fool them, especially with the way im shivering. We are back here. Dylan, Elvis, Alisha, Steven, Ashutosh and myself submerged in 'butt naked pool' so christened because of Raghu's antics here.
" I can't feel my toes anymore" cries out Dylan after a great photo shoot and lots of water splashing. "let's get out, I'm gonna freeze to death."
We can relate to him now.
*********
After a great barbecue under the stars and a good night's slumber (especially for me, they said I slept like a log, even on uneven ground)
Early morning tea chugged, sausages gobbled, parathas ravaged and bonfire burned out we were ready for the long way up. Or not quite as we were just about to find out.
******
' Please be alright, please be alright ' my mind called out as I climbed down as fast as I could.
" Are you hurt" I asked Nisha as I passed her "no, but she came all on top of me" she said.
"you are gonna be ok, you are a really strong girl" I told Alisha as I saw the blood on her forehead deeply contrasting the greenery around. Wasnt too sure of my words. Had to keep calm though. Ian held her, his t-shirt was blood-stained, I got to know him later on aboard the train, he was part of another group camping around us. But him and one of his friends were there just when we needed them.
" hey, where does it hurt" I asked despite the obvious bleeding from the side of her head. I had to make sure there was nothing else more serious than what was visible. I could hear phone calls being made. Trying to get in touch with a doctor somewhere.
" can you move your neck" she nodded as if to prove it.
"Dylan use the scarf and apply some pressure in the wound on her head, will you."
"are you comfortable" I asked
"my legs hurt"
" ok let's see. We will move them one at a time to see if everything is alright, ok?" I moved her legs looking at her to see signs of discomfort . There were none.
" hey it's ok just some bruises" I assured her. All the more relieved myself.
" her bag saved her" I whispered to Dylan and Ian. Looking at the place from which Alisha fell and then at the bag which was barely distinguishable from a rag picker's sack. Later we decided to rechristen the point "Alisha falls".
I cleaned and dressed the wounds as best I could with the first aid kit courtesy Ian and his friend.
" have I lost too much hair ?" Alisha cringes amidst sips of water. True and utter bewilderment was what we saw in each others eyes. I bet all the guys around cringed when she said that. The looks said it all 'she's had the fall of a lifetime here, blessed is what she is for having escaped AND HAIR!!! THAT'S what she can think about!!! NOW!!! HER HAIR!!
*******
"I think I can walk now" all eyes on Alisha, the chef. Short but not too much, chubby kind of cheeks, thin frame though, bloodied sweatshirt( courtesy Dwayne, Dylan's younger and Taller sibling), sloppy bandage and ointment on legs( my work).
"ok, I'll take her bag, just help me mend it a bit guys" I am taken aback by her determination. A hour and half and several intermediate stops later me, Alisha and her ever supporting boyfriend Ashutosh finally get to high ground. " tell Dylan we will meet at the station"Dwayne looks on as the three of us get into the rickshaw.
" jaldi hospital chalo bhaiyya"
" train leaves at two" Dwayne reminds us as we leave.
" we will be there" I say eyeing my Casio.
-Courtesy Hutaib Adib
