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Time was around 7 in the morning & It was casual beginning for the day for me. Infact I should say "casual end" of the day as my day begins at night. Dont mistake that statement. I am a Software Engineer. That explains.

I was just done with my NightShift & was returning back to Hotel. I wonder always - When I am In India - I do night shift & provide support to people working in US. When I am in US - I again do night shift, but provide support to people working from India !! It has become normal routine.. Biggest advantage of this normal routine when you are in US - Your weekend starts very early. On Friday morning itself !!! Biggest advantage when you are in India - Your weekend ends very late. Till Monday evening !!!

Bread - Butter - Jam. The complimentary "Continental" breakfast provided at hotel was my dinner/supper. Only the name is exciting - "Continental". Dont go by that name.. ;)

My daily routine was moving on at breakfast lobby - was having a puff after my breakfast & suddenly my wandering eyes were stuck. A gorgeous babe caught my attention. Fair - 5.4" - Not so long & yet not so short hairs - With a cute smile on her face. Wearing a Tight blue jeans & a perfect fit T-Shirt. Adding to that - she was an Indian. We Indians - where ever we might go - our heart beats harder at sight of good Indian babes then any other. Dont know about others but that's true atleast for me.

Was it Love at first sight?? Nooooo. Not again.

I was in this hotel since past few months & that was the first time I had seen her in the hotel. Who is she? Felt I should go and talk to her.. But I was one among those most of the "Default" setup Indians who hesitate to start a conversation with a girl until we get an official Intro. Still I wished somehow i could.

I pretended. I pretended as if she hadnt caught my attention & tried not lookin at her. It was just a try. Eyes werent co-ordinating with brain.. They were listnin more to my heart I presume. I concentrated on the TV which was lying in the lobby.
I should have talkd to her. Ok. That's it. I should. When I was done & about to go back to room, looked out for her. She wasnt there. She had left.

Tomorrow I will.

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All set for Mission Impossible. Next day - Some how I finished my work and made sure that I was in hotel lobby by 7. I had to jog a little to do that. She was there exactly on time. A gentle smile popped up on my face. It ended soon as well. She wasnt alone this time. She was having a conversation with an American "chikna". Tall - Black - Heavy built. But my plan was flop. I think I was late in initiating the conversation. I should have done that yesterday itself.

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Next day I came little early to lobby - to put my attendance before that chikna did. She hadnt come yet but chikna was already there..

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Three more days went in a row. Everyday it was photocopy of what had happend in the first 2 days. Today I am here again. Decided to shatter the silence and talk to her. When I entered lobby, she was already leaving. Today for my surprise, chikna came near me..

"James. Can I?"

He asked for my permission. I nodded my end as my mouth was full with bread. Didnt even bother to tell my name to him. Bad etiquette.

"Indian?"

"Yes"

He asked me few other here-abouts. This & that - before coming to the actual point.

"Do you know the girl who just left? She is also from India. I have never seen you both talk before""

"No. I dont know her. But yes - I know that she is from India. In India, we usually dont talk to girls before someone gives an intro"

He looked little puzzled. He continued.

"She is pretty. Are all Indian girls like her?"

"No. Not all. But you will definately find many" - I replied. I started doubtin his intentions.

"Ok - So If I ask her for a date, Will she join me?"

That question was totally unexpected. What should I say?

"You can try. She might". I wanted to tell "No - Dont do that." But still those words slippd out.

"I did. Not exactly for a date. I told her that I am alone & asked her if she would find it comfortable to join me for a ride to the city during weekend .. or.."

"What did she say?" I breaked his sentence and asked in between.

"Well - she told she is kinda very bzy with her work & would be hard for her. Do you people work on weekends too?"

"She seems to work in IT & I guess she would be free duirng weekends"

"Dont know. She told she is buzy. If I ask for sex - will she agree? "
Well - I was clean bowled by this question. Totally unexpected. Somehow i managed to collect words & continue the conversation. But that was totally unexpected.

"I dont think she will."
I continued - "70-80% of the Indians dont have pre-marital sex. You will find only few cases like that in India. So i dont think she will"

Those stats came some how out of my mouth. I dont know what real numbers are.

"How long do you think she might stay here?"

"No idea. But i guess she has arrived just few days back & she should be here for atleast 2 to 3 months"

" MONTHS !! Two to three months !! Two to three months without sex !!! How can she? I cant stay a single week without having sex !!"

This time I couldnt find any words.. Jst said "Ya Ya" as if agreeing to what he just said. The same day I saw my lady vacating the hotel. I was sitting in the lobby with cigarette..

"Vacating? Going back to India?"

"Shifting to an apartment near by with my friends. I am Rukhzar. Not from India, Bangladesh. U?"

"I am........"

...
......

"Taxiwala bahar intezaar kar raha hai.. Abhi nikalthi hoon. Do give me a call in your free time. Phir kabhi milte hain.. "

We had a\about 2 minute conversation & she left. "Ruk jaa Rukhzar" - I murmoured. Good thing was - Atlast I did talk !!

;)

- USiRa
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Special Thanks to Sudhagar Singh
& Rukhzaar !!

First Day

I always wanted to take up writing. Some how 've deicided to go with it now. Dont know how long its going to be.. but 'm happy that atleast I got started. "Early started is half work done".
From where shud i start??

"What do you think?? Will we or wont we??"

"Trying.. I dont think we will get"

"How about private buses?? Le kunts - wht will be the cost if we book cab n go?? How many are ready finally?? Is your philips friend joining us"

"I guess he will be coming -- not sure. Anyways, I dont think we ll be able to book tickets. Reservations are over. Might be we need to catch on the fly. Whts time now?? No packing done yet !!"

"Lets see. "

Standing in a loooong queue on hot sunny day in bangalore's
kempegowda bus station wasnt an easy task. Adding to the tension - who all are coming finally was not sure. No packing was done yet & we were supposed to start by that day evening to make it to the intermediate destination by next day morning. The journey was not short one & neither the road was good.
I was totally scared of going in "laal dabba".

"No luck le.. lets pack up our luggage n come to station. I heard there will be plenty of buses without reservation later in the day. Wht say??". Lachi's determination to start the journey at any cost was clearly visible when he told that.

" and my friend had just called & he told he will not be able to join us" added kunts.
May be I was the only lazy fellow in our batch. "Finally who all are coming??" I asked.

"We three - Hajams & Maddi".

"Ok - Lets go home. Pack up & reach here by 7. Whts time now??"

"5"

"Ok- Lets pack up & TRY TO reach here by 7" - I had to rephrase wht I had told. With a smile on all faces, we vacated bus station.

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All mobiles were a lot bzy for the past 1+ Hrs & It started ringing again..

"Wht??"

"'m sitting in the bus. Talked to driver. This bus will leave to subramanyam soon. Come towards front gate fast." KuntS went thru these lines in a hurry & also he managed to give some details abt the bus to help us identify the bus. Atlast after few more phone calls - we were all sitting inside bus. Crowded bus. & It feels heaven to have a seat in such a crowded bus. Great feeling indeed!!!!

"When will we reach subramanyam??" someone asked.

"Tomorrow morning 7" reply came back from the concernd. It was time to bed.

"Kumaraparvatha belongs to the western Ghat mountains range and is very close to the famous pilgrimage center Shri Kukke Subrahmanya Kshetra in South Canara District of Karnataka. About 4000 feet above sea level, it lies to the east of the temple. It will be a 18 Kilometer Journey (trekking/hiking) from the temple to the mountain peak. This is an ideal place for people who are interested in exploring and trekking. But as of now, there are no facilities or amenities to get there, nor can the climbers/hikers find any place to stay on the way. Moreover the hikers will have to take with them food that will suffice for their entire journey and they will have to get the help of the guides (difficult to find) who are thoroughly conversant with the place."


This is what i had got when i searched for Kumara parvatha in aapthamitra Google. Along with this - my frnd kunts, the originator n organiser n my GURU had sent me a link which talked about KP & its extrordinary trekking. It was really inviting. Planning had been going since past many days & finally everything was decided in the final moment & we are here. We call this "LMT". Last Minute Thrill.

It wasnt a direct bus to subramanyam. We got down at a road junction in the beauties of western ghat mountains. Destination was at about half an hour more distance from that place. It was a tiresome journey. There was a tea shop at the junction & that was the only shop present there. Had no option but to go there.. Myself, laks & kuntS lit pataka's each to start the celebration of comin close to destinatin. Pataka wit tea early morning is one great experience.. Tea wasnt tht good. I guess the guy the cow had drunk more water !!

We were njoyin d not so good tea.. It wasnt over yet & bus came. It was already full & had no option but to get going. I love journey in ghats. Nature - I never get words to talk about her. .. & tht too watching her early morning when the dew effect is still on is really really awesome. Plush green everywhere. n the sound of rhythmic water simply pleasanted our senses.. n ears too.. Water - Ooooooooo She was running down to valleys from mountains. Running as if it had a appointment with her friend. She was late i suppose..

Searching for lodge in Piligrimage places is a tough task. Really really tough task. Not to specify - our search was a falilure. We all were tired & desperately needed some rest. Atlast got some place to fresh up after about an hours search. It was still morning 8 & sweat on all of us was signifing high humidity even though the sun was still not at its best yet.
Subramanyam is a very small place. 2 roads, a few hotels, lodges & a street full of shops, a bus stand, huge temple, few houses & thats it. Dead end.

At some small cost per head, the hotel manager had allowed us to use the bathrooms & toilet. There was one strange thing abt that manager. He had an opening in his throat & his voice was leaking !! It was very hard for us to follow what language he was speaking..
There was no hot water.

Amidst total confusion on what to carry & what not to - we all geared up for trekking. All with T-Shirts, some sleevless,Shorts, shoes & a small back pack. Had sound breakfast. I love the food @ subramanyam. Typical south-udupi brahmin taste & I jst love it. Especially those hot hot buns with mouth watering chutney. Yummmmmmmmyyyy.

With 2Ltr bottle for each (our water reserviour), a "gone" of banana (our food source till midday), few glucose packets( for instant energy !!) & thats it. We were all set. Full enthu. Ready to conquer d peak. KP - Hum aa rahe hain !! (In Dharmendra Style)

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Let me talk a few words abt my fellow travellers.

Naveen MR. urf KuntS.

My Guru. 5 10". In great shape. Including his abs. Curly short hairs. Cool temperd guy most of the time - but when he looses temper, God save. I have been the victim of his temper few times. Person with multidimensions. Great at studies & sports as well. Straight forward talker. Talks wht he feels directly on face. Whts so ever. I know him since my engineering days & we have done several adventorous trips together. Stubborn.

Madhu Sanmani urf Maddi

Shut UP !! Plzzz.. Never seen his mouth shut. Either ll be eating something or talking. Or sometimes both. I wonder how he manages to talk that much continiously. 6 foot. Tallest among all of us. Thin. Both in X & Y axis. Shape ?? Jst think of loooong stick with a pumpkin on its top. Someone had told him that he resembles TomCruise. Since then - hez interested in loooong loooong hairs. Crispy talker. Shud have been a lawyer by profession - somehow by mistake got into software. Terrific singer. Terrrifiiiiiiiiiiic.. You will never know if hez singing song or reading newspaper..

Lakshman Naik urf lachi

Mr. Johny De. Another example for a perfect shape. 5 10". Jst think of Johnny. His clone. Lil straight face.. Perfect fit for Lee Jeans. Biddappa offered modelling but assignment wasnt completed as Mr.Biddappa got caught in drug case in dubai. He himself doesnt know how many girls proposed him !! Neutral talker. Hardly gets involved in any conflicts. Little shy.

Naveen TV urf Hajams

Backbone of Infosys. Comes home once in a week/month. Heavy praiser of his PL. Little short. 5 7" i suppose. Eyes red always as if he jst finished drinking a full bottle raw whisky. Sanjay dutt eyes infact.. Superb hocky/cricket player. Hence body in good sporty shape. Strong believer in God. I dont know much about hajams even though i shared my room for few months. We hardly used to meet... Straight forward talker.

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It took some time for us to get on actual path of KP. None was clear when we asked them the route towards KP. After some hiccups - journey began. It was plain flat muddy road to begin with. Typical Indian village road. 5 ppl walking parallelly would cover the entire street. Bushes/Small plants on both side. Photographical sessions had already begun. I love photos.. I jst love gettin caught in eyes of camera.. With a cheeeze ........

We were lucky. A open air jipsy was going towards KP n yes - he agreed to help us to save some energy for the trek. Almost a KM on open jipsy. Whtta way to start the journey. Soon we would realize time was equally important as energy saved.

A T road junction. Huge tree. Board at the T junction read "Way to Kumara Parvatha - 10Kms". Now starts the BIG Journey - REAL journey.

Everyone was full of energy to begin with. Road narrowed down. Now it was one way. One way in the sense - Only one can go in the way. Green green n green - everywhere. Where ever you try to see - Its jst green. Jst Green. Under the shadows of mother nature - uphill journey began. Tak Thak - Tak Thak - Tak Thak .. I was leading with full josh n enthu.

"Hey - few mins break please" I yelled.

Got some positive response. Everyone was waiting for someone to say to stop i guess.
Our first Drinks break. 15 mins uphill - jst about 15 mins uphill.. everyone was drenched in sweat. Pace came down drastically. Rocky uphill n high humidity. Ooooooooooooooooooo.. I still was leading .. but now from the last.
Small bags seemd rather heavy dumbles now. Mine was bigger among all !! Smiles had started fading down already. Now it was a tricky tired smile.

With some glucose + banana + water energy - We got started again.