I have got 6 hours before getting off for another city, the
task that dragged me out of my bed this
morning, got me ready before stars could have hidden and I had to see the lazy
cat stretching themselves after looking at me as if I have disturbed them at
their odd hours. I got on the bus from where I live and reached here, town XYZ
and after 6 hours I would be leaving for the town ABC as that’s the place I actually
need to be at for getting the work done.
I got out of the bus on I was boarding and knowing that these
are the only few hours I have to look around the place and get some rest and take
out the time out from overwhelmingly fast life and to get slow, I first wanted
to go grab something for my growling appetite. I entered a narrow street having
boards in which the directions of a café were given. I followed the direction and
looking at the same logo ahead of me, I entered even narrower, kind of dark
corridor which led to stairs having faint yet beautiful lights, not to enlighten
the passage for the customers of the cafe, but I reckon, more for the
captivating pictures in the frames which hung on the wall. It felt fascinating.
I started up for the stair and kept walking up as I realized it’s not on the
first floor, or the second either. and reached the place I was climbing up for.
I entered and I was welcomes with a cool atmosphere in the room (definitely due
to the working air-conditioners) and it was then I realized the excess-warmth
of the natures which I was receiving since the sun came up and showered upon us
with every speck of warmth it had.
It was a not-to-large hall, yet it appeared longer than its
actual dimensions (is this because the mirrors out there?) and I looked for the
thing that actually brought me to this place of all the other places within the
same area, the large Celling to floor glass sliding windows, most probably
locked from the corners to prevent it’s opening at any cost (as it could have
been dangerous for ignorant, little excited kids). There is instrumental music
playing in the background. I can recognize some and others are new for me.
Doesn’t it feel great when you are at a place very new to you and you recognize
something familiar there, like I did a few musical pieces and songs here! That
was enough of make me comfortable and kind-of relatable to this place.
The curtains by the windows were pulled and tugged at the
side, offering me a view of the city from a higher altitude (the same altitude
I climbed up through stairs). My stair climbing was fruitful then, I convinced
myself. Had I been a character of Nicholas spark novel, I guess having a view
of beech outside my window has been the least I would have been offered but
being no one special, I got the view of tall buildings. Ok, did I mention that I just finished Message
in the bottle, and now, my little dreams of having strolls along shore of oceans
has been raised to the extent of being in a sailing ship, surrounded by ocean
on all the sides and moon to keep it brightened for me as I enjoy my night in
peace enjoying every time breeze brushes me through my hair! As I have finished
it less than 1 hr ago in the bus I was travelling in, I still myself thinking
about it now and then. Previous time, I was brought back to sense by the jerk
the bus break so suddenly and this time, it was the waitress of the cafe.
Coming back to senses, I quickly glanced at the menu and
ordered a coffee. After she left, I kind-of doubted my decision, hot coffee of
such a hot day! Well, the atmosphere in the cafe was fine, cool and perfect for
a hot coffee and also, it takes me more time to finish something hot than something
cold and it would be fine for now thought as I waited for the coffee. I could
gulp down cold drinks, giving them the least time to actually cause an effect.
She came back with my order 5 minutes later and asked if I wanted something
else. I said, “No, thank you, that was all I wanted.” She left with her
expressions gentle.
What now, I thought. what am I supposed to do now! I have to
catch a bus and before that, I have nothing to do, nowhere to go in this
strange (new for me) city. Well, I had a friend who attends the college here
but I doubt if he is still at this place, or had gone to visit his family or
maybe, he is caught up in any task his college or his friend offered him. Will
he be able to make it to come here if I call him!?
I glanced around at the other tables. there were people,
happy and talking, some frowning and giggling, some looking very serious from
their expressions and others, caught up in their phones.
One shouldn’t have screen time more than 2 hours, I mumbled
as I tried to recall the exact duration I read somewhere.
5 hours more sounded like a big deal to me. I had a sip from
my coffee and glanced outside the large, glass, transparent windows and realising
the scene has nothing to offer me more than the concrete things that made many tag
the cities as Concrete jungles, I turned back my gaze back to the table, my
coffee.
Let’s go to the famous park out here. I thought I have heard
about it a lot and when I had a chance on it, I decided for it. I gulped down
my coffee, my intentions were clear on coffee, which saying “ just finish it
and move out.” I stood up, walked to the counter, paid the bill and headed out.
The same, dark corridor came and I trailed down the stairs passage lined on
both the sides by photo frames and to the light to enlightened them and not the
passage itself (I guess I told you that before, haha)
I got an autorickshaw ride till the park. The roads are pretty
calm I noticed. and the best part being, the roads were lined by trees in both
their sides That’s awesome, I thought. This would protect the people driving
vehicles which do not own a roof on their heads offered by their own vehicles,
to be protected by the sun by the shadow to trees in the either side, I mumbled,
that’s cool in a barely audible voice.
Autorickshaw stopped yet I didn’t see the entry of park in
front of it." From where do we have to enter in here " I asked.
" are you new to the place?” he said in a tone which suggested that he got
convinced for something he already anticipated. He said that I need to walk a
little further as vehicles are no allowed beyond this and I need to follow the narrower
path with would directly end me up at the entrance. I got out of the
autorickshaw, paid the person who was driving and headed on. I was thankful
internally that the park/ garden was on the same side as I got off as this road
is even bigger than the one I mentioned int the last blog. It could have been a
big deal to cross it. The atmosphere is warm, indeed and with me bring
travelling and tired since morning, I wanted something cool to have. An
ice-cream would do, I thought and kept walking and following the narrow, tiles
path I have been instructed to follow. I reached the entrance yet, didn’t find
anyone selling ice-cream. Sad.
I walked in the garden. It was beautiful and large and it
definitely gave me a cheerful vibe. I
kept walking with a slow pace glancing at every nook and corner of the place.
It was worth giving a sight.
There were people, dressed in the most appropriate apparels
for light work-outs. You can definitely find their t-shirts wet with sweat,
leading to the appearance of t-shirts with colour which changes its gradients,
darker to lighter as we go down from top to bottom. There are plants, with most
colourful flowers on them. Red, yellow, white, violet, you name it and you
would find it here I thought (although that’s not true). I walked for a bit and
then entering the grassy are, took off my sandals and sat down on the cool
grass. Around me are families, playing with their little ones, a couple of
college students engrossed in their talks (which does not concerns studied, I
am sure about it). I sighed off a smile and felt calm, life I have never felt
this calm in my, ok, 1 past year! I look up at the sky, it’s still bright with
sun giving us all the warmth yet evening sun has always been better than the
afternoon sun for the purpose of hanging out. I spent a long time here, sitting and
thinking, nothing in particular but my brain never stopped wandering in all the
dimensions it has known till now.
My phone vibrated. I had no will to leave my thoughts about
beauty and the world and go back to the virtual reality which is must needed in
these days! I pick it up, unwillingly and after putting in the password, I
looked at the message by one of my friends “Where did you reach girl! Hope you
have not forgotten that u have been assigned the trip for work and not to hang
on around places.” I read.
Oh God, friends know everything. And hence, there is no
surprise to read that she already knew that I would have found some way of
losing myself in the world and its randomness.
Time to leave, I thought.
I have spent a good amount of my time here and now I need to be prepared
for my next bus for a new destination and a new morning, witnessing a sunrise
at another unexplored city.
I stood up and paced in the direction of the return gate.
Well, where are the directions to get out of here? The path felt like a maze,
when I had entered, I had no destination in mind and I walked with the freedom
to wander. Hence, I walked where the path took me, and now when I want to head
out, I have no idea in which direction to head on. Still, I kept walking,
trying to identifying the landmarks and following my instincts. At last, I
found the gate. Ok, I admit I followed some of the people I could tell that
they are moving out.
I looked out for a ride and came to the bus station. After
waiting for another half an hour there, (I guess it’s a safe time to reach half
an hour, or at least 20 mins before your bus arrived to try to reach in here,
isn’t it?) the bus came and I tightened up the bag-straps and jumped in ( and
of-course, got my tickets checked). I walked down the narrow walking-area to my
seat and pulling the curtains to the side, I laid my bag towards the window and
got inside my sleeper area. “The sleeping area looks beautifully done and dim
lights, God, they never cease to please me.” I whispered, immediately getting conscious
if someone heard it. Well, I guess no one did. The bus began to move. I could
immediately go to sleep but I didn’t feel like sleeping. So, I picked up
another book I had with me and been reading with the little lite which was
assigned inside the coach and spent rest of the night reading my favourite
genre, with occasional glimpse of the moving world outside my window. I will
take little breaks from reading to appreciate the surrounding. Texting my
friends about my whereabouts and asking theirs. IT was all I ever wanted,
peace, travel, reading, nights and lights and company of my friends and family.
Everything felt fulfilling to me.
{ Well, my writer thinks that adding up another character in
her blogs would deviate my attention towards them and not you. Sounds crazy !?
}
pearls-of-memories-in-string-of-life
Thank You
Phew !!! That was a pretty long one, I see you've paid so much attention to the details, as a reader, I can definitely imagine the scene, even if I am not there physically.... Keep up 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot 😃
Delete💪💪keep going! Nice long read! Man, I could actually imagine you doing the stuff you mention in the blogs😂...great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much 💓
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