Crap

Loharkhet. Yes, that was its name.

Childhood memories fade, and in my unfortunate case, even the recent ones vanish. Yet, this one lingers. Twas eight or so in the evening, and night had fallen. The illness of a kin had compelled our trekking party to commit to the aforesaid place for a day more than we’d planned. Awaiting the dinner call, and having none else to do, dad and i stood outside our refuge; the valley below us, empty expanse unto mountains ahead, and a cloudless sky above.

I had seen the sky many times before. But for the first time, dad made me see the wonders that the sky had to offer. And i talk not of comets or falling stars or other such flashy things. I’m referring to the beauty that lingers within the mundane, just out of sight, hidden by city-smoke or dull eyes; but yet, not robbed of its ability to impress, to shock, and enthrall.

He showed me the stars.

And as i followed his hands, i saw. The milky way stood out, drawn as if a majestic blade had ripped open the black bosom of the night. Those were days when i was unridden with worries and thoughts that haunt me today. I was just a boy who saw. And enjoyed. Nothing that i could want to read into, nothing amiss to observe, and no wants to find life’s answers hidden within the stars, that i’d endeavour to pick out.

There’s so much the mountains give me.

Every trip erases the memories of its predecessor, and this ineptitude to recollect events from my past leaves me angry at times. Yet, on other occasions, i just smile. It’s because i don’t need the memories. The past was once the present, and while it was, it made me complete. I was happy while i experienced that. And i don’t need no memories to keep me going on. I’ll just make new ones. After all, the mountains have got nothing else to do, but wait for me to return.

Why should the mountains wait for me, u ask. Simple! It’s because i come not to conquer peaks, or win medals. I come to spend time with them. I don’t arrive to journey across them either. I come to stay, and let my heart linger when i’m physically absent. Of all that i’ve ever cherished, its been my time in the mountains that stands out the most. In some ways, they make me whole. And believe me, there’s a lot in me that’s incomplete!

That was the first time i saw the milky way. My city-centered life leaves only excursions unto mountains to permit me another glance at it. Yet, the first time is always special. And my looped-up brain ensures that the experience shall never be repeated. Yet, i look forward to the day when i shall look up to the sky again, and look. Just look. And smile. Maybe someday. Until then, i’m sure the mountains shall not give up on me … and remain my one, only, source of joy.