Very few people know
I spent my early childhood
On the mountains
In a pristine, unbelievably picturesque village of Almora
The heavenly tiny place was called 'Maasi'
Where we lived in the only Pakka house of the entire locality
Around our home was our happy place
Our beautiful home garden
Where we grew our food
Gardening with mamma was my favorite pass time
I owe my love for the greens to her
I can till today feel how she caressed me and our water lilies alike, warmly
My mom was my treasure
How I wish she would not have left me that early
But God has a dearth of good people is what I believe
I am not angry with him because I know in my heart permanently she resides
Our home was surrounded by mountains in all directions
Beautiful, serene, and lush green
As I soaked in the fresh air, I also soaked in pure joy
Don’t know it was Mother Nature or my mom’s fragrance
I guess a bit of both
Which I still experience whenever I land on mountains
I thus believe, a piece of my heart resides in the hills forever
who keep me pulling towards them like magnets very potent
I still remember
A serene river flew behind our home
Dad allowed me to soak my feet in it often
Words fail me to express what those little joys of life meant
I would throw pebbles in the crystal clear water
and adore the myriad originating circles for hours
Looking amused and excited at the same time
Holding my little brother’s hand and smiling
Jatru kaka our Nepali help
Narrated such worthy tales in his Nepali accent
Hema lived nearby
She was mostly found in our home
She would often clad me into their traditional attire
and tell my parents how I looked like a true Pahadan
I am not sure if my parents laughed over it then
But I am sure in those years, I became a true Pahadan
Honestly thereafter, my heart always resided in the mountains
At every opportunity, I went to them, running
Later dad bought us a home in Dehradoon
And stronger grew my bond with the Pahads
As I watched Mussoorie hills from my home in Dehradoon foothills
I took my first steps to weaving words with souls
Then life happened and took me all over the world
But my core desire remained to live peacefully in my mountain home
It holds true till today
The chill breeze of the mountains gives me unparalleled joy
The Sun there shines brighter than elsewhere
As if Mother Nature is kissing us from the nearest
I am just back from spending a little time with them
And am amazed to see how they have pepped me up
I was feeling low and sick when I had started
After meeting them I feel as fresh as a baby
No wonder a piece of my heart lives on the mountains forever
and given a chance, I will love to spend the rest of my life there
Sending this deep desire out in the universe
Trusting it shall conspire, to fulfill my desire
No comments:
Post a Comment