Episode 7 – The Paradise has a Heart

For Roja’s surprise, everyone was ready and inside the tempo traveller before 9.00 AM. Today, they had planned to visit Gulmarg. Roja sat in her usual window seat and she was glad that no one sat next to her. She quietly gazed outside the window and watched Srinagar, which was slowly coming to life. Zayed got a phone call while he was driving and he spoke briefly before disconnecting it.

‘We are not going to Gulmarg. Today we are going to Pahalgam,’ he announced.

‘Why? What happened?’ enquired Karna.

‘The road to Gulmarg is blocked. So let us go to Pahalgam,’ he replied.

He chose not to elaborate further and they did not persuade him either. The reason could be anything ranging from bad weather to security threat. Roja had seen pictures of Pahalgam and she had heard from Zayed too that the place was lovely. So the change of plans did not upset her rather it raised her excitement. On the way to Pahalgam, there were army soldiers stationed all along the way. In fact in some places, military vehicles with sophisticated equipment were parked by the road. She also spotted army men in the fields which were empty in the winter. Zayed told that some were saffron fields while others were mustard fields. One important thing that she noticed about the army men on the road was that they stared into the eyes of every driver and passenger. It was indeed intimidating. Anything suspicious, they would immediately stop the vehicle and search it thoroughly. Zayed’s vehicle was not stopped and he maintained a steady pace all along the journey without over speeding even once. They crossed Pulwama, the place where the convoy of Indian military vehicles had been attacked in 2019. Roja could feel the goose bumps on her arms when she read the board “Pulwama”. It was one thing to watch news and read news articles but the experience of actually crossing that place was incomparable. She wondered how many soldiers, just like the ones she had seen today, might have lost their lives that day?

Zayed stopped the vehicle at the famous Noor store and informed them that they could buy authentic saffron at reasonable price in that store. Everyone got down and began looking at the saffron, dry fruits and tins of Kahwa tea mixture on the shelves. The salesmen began to explain the benefits of saffron in an excited tone. Roja was already convinced that she would buy saffron and Kahwa tea mixture. Additionally, she also bought their extremely fragrant cardamon. When they came out of the store, Karna took them to the adjacent shop which was selling tea and snacks. They were served with authentic Kahwa from the samovar and a type of delicious bread to go with it. On the way to Pahalgam, there were many apple orchards with trees which neither had any leaves nor any fruits. The sight was nothing compared to the lush green apple trees with juicy red apples that you get to see in the internet photos. Zayed told them that June and July were the best months to visit Srinagar if they intended to see Kashmir in full bloom. Although the trip to Kashmir was a little on the expensive side, Roja had already made up her mind to visit Kashmir again during June or July.

It was around 1.00 PM when they reached Pahalgam and once again they skipped lunch and decided to go for sightseeing. Pahalgam greeted them with snow covered mountains, pine trees and a sunny afternoon. Zayed cautioned them to go sightseeing only with guides otherwise they might simply lose their way. There were many horses near the parking lot which indeed raised their curiosity. Preetham

and Agnivesh enquired about it and they were told that they had to go on a horse for sightseeing.

‘What!?’ exclaimed Jennifer widening her eyes in disbelief.

She was terrified at the thought of riding a horse. While both Roja and Sushma were excited about it. After much bargaining the guides agreed to a fair price. Each guide handled two horses and they helped the tourists to climb atop the horse. Roja climbed onto a black horse and behind her Agnivesh too climbed onto a similar black horse. Both their horses were handled by the same guide. She later learned that both the horses were indeed brothers. Slowly, the horses fell behind one another and began climbing the mountain. Initially Roja was a little scared and held onto the horse very tightly.

‘You need to loosen your hold on the horse and be comfortable. Trust the horse completely,’ advised her guide.

Although it was not easy to trust a horse with her life, she followed his instructions and then slowly her fear was turning into joy. Agnivesh rode beside her in silence and Roja barely looked at him. The last night’s incident was weighing heavily on his heart. But she pretended as if nothing happened between them.

‘I am sorry about yesterday,’ he said in a low voice so that none of his friends in front could hear him. Roja turned to look at him.

‘I am sorry too. It was a big mistake but I am glad that I stopped myself before we went too far,’ she said shaking her head.

‘Roja we need to talk.’

‘There is nothing left to talk Agnivesh. We made our decisions long ago and now we have moved on in life.’

‘I don't think I have-’

Suddenly they heard Karna screaming and when they looked front, he had fallen down from his horse. But There was nothing to worry about. He was soon up on his feet and the guide helped him climb back on the horse. Although he was not hurt, this incident certainly put fear into their minds. After some time, Sushma also fell from her horse when it slipped. The guide was quick enough to hold her and get her back on the horse. Along the way, they stopped at a few places to click pictures. It was almost two hours of bumpy ride on the horse before they reached the last spot called “Mini Switzerland”. It was a lovely valley nestled between large snow-covered mountain peaks. The ground was covered with snow and it was indeed a sight to behold. As soon as everyone disembarked from the horses, they began clicking photos and selfies like every other tourist. Roja slowly slipped away from the group and walked further ahead to a quiet spot. There was a single tall tree in the midst of the snow and she stood gazing at its unique shape. After a few minutes, her peace was disturbed. 

‘Roja,’ Agnivesh called out from behind. He walked up to her and stood in front of her. She let out a long-drawn breath of exasperation.

‘What do you want Agnivesh?’

‘I think our relationship deserves a second chance.’

‘Well, I don’t think so,’ she replied without hesitation.

‘I still think about you Roja and I don't think I have moved on,’ he said tenderly.

‘Then why did you leave me and go to Canada? If you loved me so much, then you must have stayed back or you must have come back for me. But you didn’t. Now after 4 years, you happened to see me here by chance and then you realise that you have not moved on!’ 

She turned to leave in anger but Agnivesh held her hand.

‘Roja don't you still love me? Those few moments that we shared last night was nothing but love.’

She looked at him with rage burning in her eyes.

‘Last night was nothing more than a terrible mistake Agnivesh. And it would be better for you if you let go of me now and forever,’ she said with finality.

‘It was you who refused to come with me to Canada. I never wanted us to separate,’ he said trying to reign in his temper.

‘Why should I leave my career and life behind just to fulfil your career dream? And you did not ask me once about what I wanted. You went ahead and made a decision that I must follow you.’

"What career did you anyway have here? Back then you were just an analyst in a consulting firm while I was a Team Leader in my organization. They wanted to set up a new project in Canada and entrusted me with leading the team. I was next in line to be promoted as Manager and my salary was about to increase significantly. It would have been foolishness to let go of that opportunity for your career where you were literally working for peanuts.’

She sniggered at his words.

‘You have not changed one bit, have you? I take strong objection to the words you just used to describe my previous job. And no matter what I am paid, I give my complete commitment and dedication to my work. I have had my share of struggle and hard work to build my identity. You, Agnivesh, have no right to insult my job. As far as our relationship is concerned, it was over long ago and I have put it behind me.’

‘Roja, please. I really want you back. Maybe we can work this out. Now due to COVID, people can work from anywhere. Your company may not have a problem if you moved to Canada and worked from there. My company has provided me with a beautiful house and lots of facilities. We can lead a very comfortable life. Please come with me...’ he implored her.

He hoped that his plea would melt her heart. His beseeching tone had always worked its charm on her.

She looked at him squarely.

‘Even now, you did not ask me what I want. Once again you made a decision for both of us. This is not love Agnivesh, this is pure male chauvinism.’ she said shaking her head.

Roja pulled her hand from his hold and walked back to their friends. Agnivesh stood there watching her walk away from him. Soon after, everyone climbed back on their respective horses and began their return journey. The ride back took lesser time but it was indeed scarier than before. The horses had to walk down steep mountain slopes covered with snow. Although they skid in a few places, the horses were trained to keep their balance and continued the journey. They could see the beautiful orange rays of the sun on the mountain peak. The setting sun had cast its magic on the snow-covered peaks. By the time they reached the parking lot, the mountains were clad in shades of pink, purple and blue. On their journey back, Roja went over her conversation with Agnivesh. She was sort of relieved that all her pent-up anger had been vented out. She closed her eyes and Pradyuman’s comforting smile filled her mind. Agnivesh still could not fully comprehend the depth of her words. What he did not know was that Roja was not only over him, but also let another man fill her heart with love. Again.

To be continued...