When I See You Again

Triiingg Triiingg! Triiingg Triiingg!

Oh, It's 6! I exclaimed as my alarm rang to wake me up from my 4 hours sleep. I slept at 2 a night before as I was preparing for the day that was going to be really adventurous. We had to go for a thrilling snow vacation. It was a cold morning. Because of the short sleep and the cold, I wasn't feeling like getting up and coming out of my blanket, and so, I sighed. But I smiled the very next second, for I was very excited as the much awaited day had finally come. With all enthusiasm, I jumped off my mattress and rushed to my bathroom to freshen up and get ready. As I was bathing, I was singing loudly with full vigour. I could not contain my elation. I got ready in a few minutes and then went to the dining hall where Mom was waiting for me with the breakfast ready and laid on the dining table. I whispered to myself, "Moms always keep everything ready on time." Me and Mom wished each other a great morning as I sat to have my early meal. I ate the bread jam and drank my milk, chewed the soaked almonds and hurried back to my room to gather all the necessities that were to be carried along for the holiday. I picked my bag pack which comprised of my warm clothes, including thermal tops and bottoms, hat, gloves, etc., my waterproof ski jacket and trousers, ski socks, scarf, sunglasses, slippers, toiletries, sunscreen, moisturiser, camera & charger and first aid kit. Then I collected my ski equipment like skis, ski boots, poles, helmet, multitool for repairs or adjustments, transceiver, shovel, etc. Lastly, not to forget, my insurance details, my ski club membership card and travel money. Phew! I gathered all that I could think of, with the constant fear of forgetting something. Hey, wait! My mobile phone and charger! I almost screamed as I was about to forget it. How can one think of a holiday without a cellphone, which has become one of the most important things in the present scenario. In five minutes, my boyfriend Jaisal came with driver in his car to pick me up from my home. My Mom knew about him and our relationship. I kissed Mum and she wished us a happy and safe journey. Then, we waved Mum goodbye and left for the railway station, from where we had to catch the train to Rishikesh, which is a city in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. We were a group of 10 adventurers who had to go to Auli, which is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station, approximately 230 kms away from Rishikesh. I was all delighted as it was going to be my first snow adventure trip, and that too with my love, Jaisal.

We reached the railway station, where the 8 other people, including our trainer, also arrived. In 15 minutes, we took the train. We were all set for the 10 days adventure tour. Everybody was in such a jubilant mood that we all sang and danced in the train throughout the 5 hours journey. We took a pre-booked bus from outside the Rishikesh railway station to Auli, which was a smooth drive of around five to six hours. As soon as we got off the bus in Auli, we went to the ski resort and moved to the rooms that were allotted to us. We had 5 rooms, each of which was to be shared by 2 persons. We all kept our belongings, freshened up and then went to the restaurant to have our dinner. While having the meal, we discussed about next day's schedule. The trainer guided us about the activities that were to be taken up the following day. After dinner, everyone went to their rooms to sleep. Me and Jaisal roamed around the resort for some time, conversing with and admiring each other, with our arms on each other's back, cuddling up to comfy each other in the intense cold. We spent nice time together. Those were some of the most lovable moments of my life. After that, we wished each other good night and went to our respective rooms.

The dawn of the venturous day rose. We all got ready and moved to the cafe for breakfast. Then we gathered in the hall with our skiing equipment, where our trainer instructed us on how to proceed for the day. We all got started for downhill skiing, one after the other. We skiied on the Himalayan slopes, discovered various twists and turns, performed stunts on the snow as well as in the air, screamed with joy, called out our names loudly between the tall mountains to hear the echo, clicked pictures, shot videos, ate Maggi instant noodles and corn on the cob on those snow-covered Himalayan peaks. Eating super hot instant noodles on the frosty ridges is one of the best food experiences in the universe. After a great alpine skiing experience, we came back to the resort. Our resort had a lot of indoor activities too. We enjoyed the cultural evening by singing and dancing. They portrayed various Indian folk dances on the stage, and that was worth watching. It was a truly amazing day. After dinner and chatting for a while, we all went to sleep.

The second morning, we all got ready for another fun-filled day. We had to revel in activities other than skiing that day. The first thing we did that day was tubing. We had an option of taking the tube ride alone or in pairs. Me and Jaisal rode together. It was a lovely lovely ride with Jaisal sitting behind me, fully gripping me in his arms. This was one of my favourites. The next activity was Dog Sledding, which was almost a half day excursion through the wooded trails. There was a lot of running involved in it trying to control the sled and mush. After lunch break, the enjoyment resumed. We went for a Snowcat Tour, did Snowbiking and Ice Climbing and lastly, took the Alpine Coaster ride. Me and Jaisal took this ride together, just like tubing. We screamed together in excitement and enjoyed every little thing. It was an incredible and a bit tiring day. So, we went to rest in our rooms just after dinner.

Next day was the day of Telemark Skiing. It is just like Alpine Skiing, the only different thing is that it involves skis that don't attach to the heel, which allows us more flexibility. The ski trip started. We had covered a short distance only, that suddenly there was a blizzard. Though it wasn't fierce, it gave me a dreadful feeling. Because of the hysteria, I lost my balance. Seeing this, Jaisal, who was just a few steps behind me, immediately came in front of me and I fell on the snow. Trying to save me, he lost his equilibrium and before anyone could do anything, he fell off the cliff. I shouted and all the group members gathered there. First of all, our trainer tried to look down in the valley. He couldn't see anything other than snow and the snow-capped trees. Everyone tried peeping down there, but could not see Jaisal. I burst into tears. Two of my friends stayed with me to console me as I could not control my emotions. All others further skied down the snowy slopes with the aim of finding Jaisal. They returned in 3 hours after a vain attempt. I broke down and was crying like a Banshee as the chances of finding Jaisal seemed little. We all had to do adventure skiing there for another 7 days, but now, those days were to be spent in finding Jaisal. The crew made humongous efforts every dawn-to-dark in order to locate him. The valleys were searched, the localites were informed, people were shown Jaisal's picture to enquire if anyone had seen him. Announcements and publishings were made alongwith Jaisal's photograph for reporting if anyone finds him, and a prize money was also declared. However, all the efforts went futile. We could not trace him in so many days, despite the sunrise-to-sunset efforts. Dejected, the team decided to return to our hometown, as everyone had lost hopes of recovering him. Jaisal's family was also informed over phone. Nobody knew whether he was alive or not, but everyone assumed him to be dead, as no news of his existence could be obtained.

On the eleventh morning, everyone packed their bags for journey back home. I packed two bags, mine and Jaisal's. In no circumstance could I leave his belongings there as I was deeply attached to him, and the countless memories I made with him. With heavy hearts, we all got on the bus. Just as the vehicle gained motion, I lost control and dissolved in tears. I never thought of returning without my beau. Throughout the journey, I kept staring at the scenery with damp eyes as the mishap had benumbed me. By the end of the day, we reached our homeland. My parents were there to receive me at the railway station. They got tensed seeing our drooped faces. Mom noticed that Jaisal wasn't there with us. She asked me the reason for all of us looking sorrowful and why Jaisal was missing. I couldn't say anything and I just walked towards the car parking. Mom and Dad came along. We all sat in the car and rode home. While in transit, both of them kept asking me what was wrong, but I could not utter a word as I felt deadened. The moment when Jaisal fell off the cliff trying to save me, was continuously haunting my eyes. I went straight into my room as soon as we reached home. Dad had to go to office, so he picked his office bag and left for work. Mum came to my room and sat beside me. She kept her hand on my lap, and I melted down. I wept so vociferously that anyone near the main gate of our house could also hear me crying. Mom hugged me trying to solace me. Then I told her everything that happened in Auli. Mumma's eyes also got wet with tears. She told me not to lose hope of Jaisal's recovery and that someone will soon inform us of his existence. Somehow, I controlled myself and stopped crying.

Days passed, still there was no news of him. I literally cried myself to sleep every night. I even stopped having my meals properly. All day long, I used to just keep thinking about him and praying to God for his safety. My routine had shrinked so much that I was left with doing nothing more than remembering him. I cherished all the memories I made with him. I read all the wonderful, long birthday wishes he had texted or mailed me, saw all our photos and collages, all the gifts he brought for me, recalled all the happy and sad moments we spent together, and while doing all this, cried my heart out. It brought to my mind how he used to crack funny jokes to make me laugh when I felt depressed, how he motivated me when I talked in a pessimistic way, how he used to pamper me when we fought and I didn't talk to him. I kept reminiscing all the events of our life, that were deeply etched in my memory. Happy memories brought a smile on my face and the sad moments brought a frown. The last incident with Jaisal was so ghastly that it always filled me with terror, every time it came to my mind.

Somehow, I resumed my coaching. I knew that it was going to be really difficult for me to concentrate on studies, but I thought that trying to study and meeting my friends at the classes would help me in mending my mood. But that too didn't work. While driving to my classes and hearing songs on the radio, I used to sob a lot. Whether the songs were romantic or sad, they all made me cry as they reminded me of our time together and how we used to dedicate various songs to each other. I felt as if I would never be able to listen to songs normally if I lose Jaisal.

After 4 months, my family started receiving wedding proposals for me. One proposal was from my parent's family friends. Their son, Nirav was suggested as a good match for me. My parents and their family had known each other for around 25 years now. The family was really good in every aspect, and so, my family was absolutely in favour of accepting the proposal. They started convincing me for the same, but I was not at all prepared. I had always imagined my life only with one guy, that was Jaisal, and I was still hopeful of his return. My Mom told me to forget him and move on in life. She said that he would be dead, otherwise we would have got some information of his existence by now. I told Mom that I would never be able to forget him and move on. That was the day when I shared with Mom the innumerable memories I made with Jaisal. I told her how me and Jaisal came to know each other in office during our internship, how he started liking each and everything about me, my smile, my face expressions, my confidence, my skills, and what not, and that's how he gradually fell in love with me. I told her how he proposed me, how I rejected his proposals numerous times, but later how I also fell in love with him because he's the best and the most unique and kind-hearted guy I have ever met. He's one in a million and nobody could be like him. I explained how we worked together, ate together, helped each other, how he kept praising me in front of everyone and telling everyone about my qualities. I told her about the several birthday wishes he sent on my birthdays, Mom & Dad's birthdays and anniversaries, how he treated my family as his own. I told Mom that nobody can ever love me and care for me, the way he does, and even I won't be able to love anyone else ever. That's why, I just cannot think of marrying someone else. Since I was crying telling her all this, Mom also got emotional. However, she said that the current circumstances were insinuating that all his memories need to be obliterated.

Another month passed, and my parents fixed a meeting with Nirav's family, which was scheduled for the coming Sunday. I was a bit frustrated with these match making discussions and wanted some peace of mind. It was 30 minutes past five in the evening, so I decided to go to the park for a stroll. I liked walking there and watching little kids sway on the swings and play badminton. I was treading the road with my head down, humming the song,

"It's been a long day without you my friend,

and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.

We've come a long way from where we began,

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again..

When I see you again."

Suddenly I saw two feet down there before my very eyes. Someone was standing static there. As I looked up, I didn't know whether what I was witnessing was true. I saw Jaisal right there, in front of me. I got numb for a minute, and didn't know how to react. For a moment, I doubted if that was Jaisal or his look-alike. Before I could think any further, he said, "I love you, Bae."

That was Jaisal's voice. I could not believe my eyes and my ears. I asked, "Is that really you?

He said, "Any doubt?"

I was entirely surprised to see him completely fine. Tears of happiness rolled down my cheeks, and without wasting time, I hugged him. I grasped him so tight that he got almost choked.

He exclaimed, "Calm down! Calm down! You are hurting me more than that fall from the cliff."

I laughed, nudged him and said, "Shut up! Don't you like this tight hug?"

He said, "Yes, I do Babe."

I said, "I Love You Too Baby."

That was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was just ineffable. I took him home with me. I rang the doorbell, and Mom came to open the gate. Even she got astonished when she saw both of us together. We went inside the house. After having a glass of water, Mom asked Jaisal how it all happened. I was so elated seeing Jaisal back that I didn't bother about how he returned perfect. Then Jaisal told us that he fell in a furrow, which got covered with snow soon after his fall. That's why, nobody could see him under the snow during the search. Later on, a native who was passing by from there, accidently tripped over that area and found him. That person took him out and carried unconscious Jaisal to his place. After all failed attempts to make Jaisal regain consciousness, he took him to his friend, who was an experienced medical practitioner. The doctor treated Jaisal for these five months, cured all his injuries, and that's how he fully recovered.

Eventually, everything became normal and my life came back on track. Tragedies do happen, but if everything gets perfect, that's the best thing. The coming Sunday, me and Jaisal got engaged and committed to share our lives for a lifetime. My happiness knew no bounds that day.