Sophia's Freedom

Chapter 92 : The Reunion

                                                             30 MINUTES LATER

We heard the sound of a few other vehicles approaching us. As the vehicles came to a halt, I saw Nishi Jethu, Brigadier Shahi, JP Sir, and Major Annie along with a few other men whom I saw in the camp got down from the vehicles. 

I was surprised to know that we were actually being followed by 3 heavily armed vehicles. Even though back at the restaurant, I saw only 1 armored vehicle with us.

The rising sun has started to brighten up the horizon slowly. For some reason sleep was also not in the platter.

A few minutes later Capt. Sagar came to us and asked, “You young ladies want to have some tea or maybe a peg of whiskey or Rum perhaps…” and he suddenly winked with a smile.

For some reason, mom didn’t say anything, since she knew Sagar sir was just trying to c***k a joke. Before I was about to respond he turned around and shouted “Bhai... ata nira Teen awra chai leraai do ta”

I didn’t understand what he told the man serving tea to the arriving people however if I had to guess it, he was probably asking the man for a few cups of tea.

As the man was pouring tea onto the glasses, Sagar sir commented “You know girls…The sun rises here very early … probably among the first places in India where the sun rises early.”

"Wow... Sir... this place is really very beautiful..." It was Aamaya di who said that and then she said to Me and Sagar sir "You know sir... even though I know for sure that I have never visited this place before, but I am pretty sure that maybe in my past life, I might have stayed in such a place... I vaguely remember living in the hills and such a beautiful sunrise touching my window every morning..."

Sagar sir was amused at her answer and then said "This is the miracle of Mount Kailash my child... One can never tell how the god who resides in that mountain would always bless you with his greatness... If you have any deepest desire, you can always..." pointing towards a viewpoint "get to the viewpoint and ask the great god for it... if he thinks you are worthy of it he will bless you with it..."

 As he kept talking, I saw dad rushing towards us excitedly. “Come out everyone… I want you all to see something.”

“What Uncle…” asked Aamaya di…

“Stop asking questions and just come out… This is once in a lifetime experience…” dad replied excitedly.

Because of the cold climate, the tea cools down quickly and we didn’t have to struggle much to finish it off. As we got down from the car, dad caught hold of our hands and took us towards a bench placed in the park next to where our SUV was parked. As we approached the bench dad pointed his finger towards one of the most beautiful scenes in the world or probably the universe, the sunrise in the Himalayas.

The sun began to peak on the horizon and gradually illuminated the surrounding mountains. For the first few minutes, the outlines of the mountains appeared, and then the sun started to rise enough to highlight the first bit of white, snow-clad beauty of the Himalayas. I was not prepared for the alluring sight and I stood there in awe.

We were lucky enough to have a break, courtesy of the clouds, to view the orange and pink hue of the flickering sun splashing color on each of the clouds and mountains. For an instance, it appeared as if the mountains and clouds had been lit on fire and all that was left were the fading embers.

As we were transfixed by the mesmerizing beauty of the majestic Himalayas, my concentration was interrupted by someone trying to touch my back. I turned and look back, I saw the most beautiful thing in the world. I was entranced by the sight in front of me and completely forgot the admiration I felt for the natural beauty of the Majestic Himalayas.

I was instead bewitched by the presence and breathing self of Abhinu standing and smiling at me. He looked different. The magnificent smile donning his face triumphed over the beauty of the majestic Himalayas standing tall in the surrounding.

The joy of meeting someone close, after a long interval, surpasses everything, without leaving any space to mind, to identify what exactly we notice first or second. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences that I’ll always cherish till the day I live. It was like a long-awaited wish fulfilled by the great lord who lives in the mountain.

Without thinking for a second, I hugged him tight. He reciprocated too. “I am so happy to meet you dear… You know how much I missed you…”

“It’s been 7 years since you went missing… I will never let you go…”

“I don’t want to let you go either…” replied Abhinu.

All of a sudden, a familiar voice brought us to our existence… “You guys need to stop hugging; I want the two of you to look at me…”

It was the voice of Jessica Aunty. As we detached, I saw Jessica Aunty standing next to us. “Why don’t the two of you hold your hands and sit on the chair. I want to grab a snap of both of you with the mighty Himalayas on the background.”

As she was taking the pictures, Abhinu suddenly commented “Thank you my love… every day for the past 7 years all I could think of was only to meet you as what I am and not what I used to be… I never expected our meeting was destined to take place in the foothills of the Majestic Himalayas.”

I was least interested in what Abhinu kept saying and my only urge was to ignore everything and kiss him. I knew, what I am thinking is not right, but my heart kept telling me otherwise.

I let go of his hands, caught hold of his collar, and drew him toward me. With a grave expression, I put my arms around his neck. Hesitatingly Abhinu wrapped his arms around my waist. We kept looking at each other. Our lips were so close that we could have easily kissed. However, with my parents standing Infront, I decided against it. I could feel his breath on my lips and closed my eyes, cherishing the moment. I leaned in closer and landed a kiss on both of his cheeks.

It was the most wonderful moment of my life. We were in that stance for a few seconds when suddenly I heard a voice. “That’s my girl. Like father like daughter…”

We suddenly let go of one another, feeling embarrassed at what we have done. 

“See Aki I told you she was going to do that… You lost…” dad commented and then I saw mom giving dad a 100 rupee note which he gladly accepts.

“I am sorry dad… I didn’t mean to…” 

“That’s fine… we are not mad at you… We both knew this would have happened as a matter of fact I was hoping that you would kiss him on his cheek and to tell you the truth your mom and I had a bet too.”

“But remember this is the first and the last time you are doing this. I don’t want it happening again till the time you both attain the age of 21.” opined dad.

We both looked down ashamed of what we just did and replied “We are sorry…”

                                                    TO BE CONTINUED...

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