(Part -2) My First Solo Trip : Unexpected Misadventure

Dheere chalna hai muskil to jaldi hi sahi... Aakho ke kinaron me bahare hi sahi ...

Hum chale Baharon me... gungunati raho me ... dhadkane bhi tez hai ab kya kare..

waqt hai to jeene de. dard hai to seene de .... khwahishen anjane hai ... ...ab kya kare.

Piku-Journey Song playing in my phone, in perfect harmony with my heart's tune. The excitement for an enthralling journey all alone . The Teesta river getting more majestic and the altitude rising evermore. I noticed the pine trees were increasing in frequency and the deciduous ones decreasing.( What? I didn't study geography for nothing!) The air was getting chilly.

It was 3:30 when we reached Rango. The vehicle stopped abruptly. Everyone got out. I went to the driver confused. "Why are we stopping ? Did we reach there ?"

"No... The vehicles don't cross the border between West Bengal and Sikkim. So you need to change vehicles. Follow everyone else and hop into the vehicle with them "

"Oukay !"

I glanced at them . Some went to a cafe while 3 others went to another sumo . I followed them and told the driver my destination. I found myself a wid seat to the extreme left - the hill facing side with the same man with me. One lady to his right Nd a kid on hers. The seat next to the driver's seat was empty. He started the car.

The slope was getting steeper and steeper. The temperature falling down ever so . I was gulping in every bit of this pure fresh air. Cold and crisp. Suddenly a palm started carassing my right thigh. Uh.. maybe I imagined it.

The stroking stoped sensing my uneasiness but resumed after a few minutes and with more intensity. Oh..no no no no... I was scared and confused . Was it really what I was thinking it was. I glimpsed at him from the side of my eye . He was looking at the far distance on the other side. Revulsion filled inside me. I brushed aside his hand roughly. He stopped. I heaved a sign of relief. I pushed myself further down the left side.

He started his stroking again. My brain screamed ' pervert !!!! Pervert !!! Red alert !! Do something!! ' My cheeks felt warm . I didn't know where did the strength come from. I looked at him in the eye and said loud and firm , "STOP!".

He was astonished. I got a few glances from the lady. " Stop . I said. How dare you touch me !" "Bhaiya stop the car!" The driver stopped the car and gave the man a disgusted stare. "Get off the car , you Jerk!" He said and asked me to come to the front seat. When woman was still giving me a disgusted stare. I couldn't care less. . I came up the front seat.

The man embarrassed to no ends came up to us rightly . He should be. The driver said , " you were very brave." I smiled. That feeling of being in control and speaking for yourself was so empowering and fulfilling. I fell rightly so victorious.

It was 7:00 when we reached the main town. It was mildly crowded. Breathtaking. Thats how the adorable houses and picturesque scenery looked. Strangely ,I felt at home. Why did it have to look so preety. I looked at my phone and it read battery 1% . No. Not happening.

I somehow phoned my Bhuagi ( aunt from my father's side.) who stays in Gtk. She gave the phn to her husband ( my phuphaji) and he came to receive me. I had reached Gtk - ON MY OWN. That felt awesome. He took me through some clumsy ways into the town and to his home. It was a clumsy way so I don't remember most of the directions. The expression they had when I told them that I came there all alone was worth watching.

The child in me was hungry for adventure. I was awaiting for the next day to start waiting for the beauty of Gangtok to enthrall me.

Oh Jiya ... Oh guzarte nazare. Rang udane de , hum nashe me hai ..bhul gaye sawalo ko sare.