As we continued, the sign board said, "Dont be a Gama, in the land of Lama". Gama was a famous wrestler. It was adviced, that even the strong Gama wrestler was not supposed to test his strength in the land of Lamas, which was Ladakh. It was obvious that we all tried to be Gama, in the land of Lama. Specially me, I was more worried about my head aches. The worst thing was, no one was having it as severe as I was. But our main travelling was over. We started crossing some villages and some human habitat was also visible. Our destination was Karu, a stop before Leh, where my cousin Lt Col.Vijay Aswal was posted. We also crossed a stream of the famous Indus River. Don't know why, but it was a very proud moment for me, to come across the river which was the foundation of one of the earliest civilization of our mother land. After a couple of km, we were connected to a well built highway and the riders were back in action. On our way, we saw Siddhu and Ujjwal, waiting on the side of the road. On asking, Siddhu said he sold a jar twice the price and was so bloody happy as if he made the deal of his lifetime.
Karu was a small village which was actually a base camp for Indian Army. Majority of the buildings, properties and vehicles belonged to Indian Army. We were told to ask any army personnel and he will guide us to the Lt. Colonel's office. By the time we reached, it was almost time for supper. We were asked to go to my brother's residence and wait there. After a few minutes, I heard his loud army voice, "AAGAYE MERE SHER, SHABAASH" and there he was, welcoming us with a firm handshake and a warm hug. The temperature was dropping exponentially but we were offered some sweet corn chicked soup and damn that was the best chicken soup I ever had in my life. Following soup, there was a mutton pulao. FOODGASM Guranteed.
After we finished eating the smallest chunk of meat from the table, there was a small introduction of my friends, and then Bhai was like, lets call mami (my mom) and give her a surprise of what achievement her son had made and I was like, "bro, I lied to mom about this trip. She was totally against it so I lied and said I'am going to Katmandu". He laughed but there was no doubt that he would listen to me. The phone rang. "Nameste Mamiji, Kaisi hai aap. Aur kya chalra. Sab Badia. How's mamaji. How's Mohit? Achha, He is travelling to Katmandu? Oh how come. Achha. Achha. Ok. Achha lo, Lo Mohit se baat karo" and there I was.
"Hello, Nameste Mummy"
"Saale, Tu wahan kaise pahuch gaya"
"Ma, raasta sahi tha, kuch nahi hua"
"Tujhe mana kia tha na, sunnta nahi hai tu kabhi bhi, Kuch ho jaata to. Tu tension hi deta rheta hai hume"
"Arre suno to, sab theek tha, kuch nahi hua"
But there was no point explaining things to a worried Indian mother. But then, Bhai came to rescue and convinced mom that I was perfectly safe and will be staying with Bhai.
"So, what are your plans for tomorrow and day after?"
Stunned, we friends looked at each other, and replied vaguely, "Ammm, Bhaiya, Kal Khardungla, then Nubra Valley and then Pangong Tso lake aur tab vapas"
"Achha!!! Sab 2 din me ho jaayega? Bas mu utha ke aagaye. Haven't you done your homework? Mujhe lagta tha bas ye hi ek bewkoof hai (Me) but birds of same feather flock together"
Then he stood up and slammed some printed papers on the table. He was the one who was more concerned about our trip and had made a complete plan on what all can be done in two days. The first thing was, we needed some permission letter sign that will allow us to travel Leh Ladakh. The other point was, Leh/ Karu was in the middle of the visiting locations and no matter where we go, we need to return back to Leh/ Karu and from there we need to visit the other location. We had no clue about this. We, the Gamas, in the land of lamas. Hence proved. By the time we were digesting this fact, another bouncer came from the Lt. Colonel.
"What all clothing have you all brought"
"Ammmm, yei hai bhaiya, jacket and inners"
That's it. It was triggered. I was no longer his cute little brother. He was furious. The army man was there.
"IDIOTS. Pagal ho kya tum log. Marr jaoge thand se yahan. Khardungla chadhne jaana hai. Bloody highest motorable pass in the world. bas aagaye bike me hero ban k"
It was as if I was the only one standing there. All of my friends were standing like mannequins. He rushed into his room and after two three minutes, he called my name.
I was like, I'm not going in there. Siddhu was so scared that he suggested to leave me alone with Bhai and they'll move to some hotel. Hilariously, we were all scared of my brother. Being from an Army family background, I was used to it, but it was their first time.
Bhai came out of the room with some of his jackets and sweaters, mufflers and what not. He asked us to try all the stuff and to choose which all to carry it to our visiting destination. Damn it. A huge thanks to him, we all were relieved that he was there to help us. Nice brother. My brother.
He asked us to sleep early. It was a tiring day for us and the best day of our life was about to start.
Anxiety level was sky high. My dream to ride to Khardungla was about to start. Mind was wide awake but body was tired as hell. Dont even know when I was in bed and when I went to sleep.
Karu was a small village which was actually a base camp for Indian Army. Majority of the buildings, properties and vehicles belonged to Indian Army. We were told to ask any army personnel and he will guide us to the Lt. Colonel's office. By the time we reached, it was almost time for supper. We were asked to go to my brother's residence and wait there. After a few minutes, I heard his loud army voice, "AAGAYE MERE SHER, SHABAASH" and there he was, welcoming us with a firm handshake and a warm hug. The temperature was dropping exponentially but we were offered some sweet corn chicked soup and damn that was the best chicken soup I ever had in my life. Following soup, there was a mutton pulao. FOODGASM Guranteed.
After we finished eating the smallest chunk of meat from the table, there was a small introduction of my friends, and then Bhai was like, lets call mami (my mom) and give her a surprise of what achievement her son had made and I was like, "bro, I lied to mom about this trip. She was totally against it so I lied and said I'am going to Katmandu". He laughed but there was no doubt that he would listen to me. The phone rang. "Nameste Mamiji, Kaisi hai aap. Aur kya chalra. Sab Badia. How's mamaji. How's Mohit? Achha, He is travelling to Katmandu? Oh how come. Achha. Achha. Ok. Achha lo, Lo Mohit se baat karo" and there I was.
"Hello, Nameste Mummy"
"Saale, Tu wahan kaise pahuch gaya"
"Ma, raasta sahi tha, kuch nahi hua"
"Tujhe mana kia tha na, sunnta nahi hai tu kabhi bhi, Kuch ho jaata to. Tu tension hi deta rheta hai hume"
"Arre suno to, sab theek tha, kuch nahi hua"
But there was no point explaining things to a worried Indian mother. But then, Bhai came to rescue and convinced mom that I was perfectly safe and will be staying with Bhai.
"So, what are your plans for tomorrow and day after?"
Stunned, we friends looked at each other, and replied vaguely, "Ammm, Bhaiya, Kal Khardungla, then Nubra Valley and then Pangong Tso lake aur tab vapas"
"Achha!!! Sab 2 din me ho jaayega? Bas mu utha ke aagaye. Haven't you done your homework? Mujhe lagta tha bas ye hi ek bewkoof hai (Me) but birds of same feather flock together"
Then he stood up and slammed some printed papers on the table. He was the one who was more concerned about our trip and had made a complete plan on what all can be done in two days. The first thing was, we needed some permission letter sign that will allow us to travel Leh Ladakh. The other point was, Leh/ Karu was in the middle of the visiting locations and no matter where we go, we need to return back to Leh/ Karu and from there we need to visit the other location. We had no clue about this. We, the Gamas, in the land of lamas. Hence proved. By the time we were digesting this fact, another bouncer came from the Lt. Colonel.
"What all clothing have you all brought"
"Ammmm, yei hai bhaiya, jacket and inners"
That's it. It was triggered. I was no longer his cute little brother. He was furious. The army man was there.
"IDIOTS. Pagal ho kya tum log. Marr jaoge thand se yahan. Khardungla chadhne jaana hai. Bloody highest motorable pass in the world. bas aagaye bike me hero ban k"
It was as if I was the only one standing there. All of my friends were standing like mannequins. He rushed into his room and after two three minutes, he called my name.
I was like, I'm not going in there. Siddhu was so scared that he suggested to leave me alone with Bhai and they'll move to some hotel. Hilariously, we were all scared of my brother. Being from an Army family background, I was used to it, but it was their first time.
Bhai came out of the room with some of his jackets and sweaters, mufflers and what not. He asked us to try all the stuff and to choose which all to carry it to our visiting destination. Damn it. A huge thanks to him, we all were relieved that he was there to help us. Nice brother. My brother.
He asked us to sleep early. It was a tiring day for us and the best day of our life was about to start.
Anxiety level was sky high. My dream to ride to Khardungla was about to start. Mind was wide awake but body was tired as hell. Dont even know when I was in bed and when I went to sleep.
