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|| Chapter 35 ||

The pilot announced throught the speaker. My luck was shining today as I was sitting to the left side. A murmur of excitement spread through the cabin as passengers leaned toward their windows. I looked up from my book and leaned towards the glass window. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, my breath hitching. There it was—the mighty Himalayas, stretching endlessly like a frozen kingdom of gods. The peaks gleamed under the golden glow of the rising sun, their jagged edges softened by mist swirling around them.

The sight was mesmerizing—pristine glaciers, deep valleys carved by time, and rivers meandering like silver veins through the rugged terrain. The sun painted the snow in hues of pink and orange, a fleeting masterpiece of nature. It felt surreal, as if the mountains were welcoming me home, whispering secrets only the wind could carry. I snapped some pictures of the art formed by the collison of Indian plate and Indo- Tibetan plate, approximately 60-70 million years ago, much younger compared to the Alphs and Appalachians, which dated a sum of their ages which is 780 million years.
For a brief moment, I forgot my exhaustion, my unanswered texts, and the silence that had stretched between me and Sarat. It was just me and the endless sky.

The plane gradually descended, and soon, the scattered settlements of Siliguri came into view. Bagdogra Airport was nestled amid lush greenery, a stark contrast to the icy peaks I had just witnessed. As the wheels touched the runway, a soft sigh escaped me.
-Thank you for flying with us Ma'am. ~the cabin crew member greeted, with a smile on her face while I nodded and smiled back to her~
-And Thank you for your service. ~I said, smilling~

As I stepped out of Bagdogra Airport, the crisp air welcomed me, carrying the faint scent of wet earth and pine. The airport was bustling with activity, but my eyes searched for the man I was told would be waiting for me. A tall, young man in a black jacket and a cap stood near the parking area, holding a placard with my name. Spotting me, he nodded in recognition and approached.
-Namaste, ma'am. I am Rishi, your driver. Mr Rakshit has assigned me to take you safely to your destination.

I gave him a polite smile, adjusting the strap of my handbag.
-Thank you, Rishi ji. How long will it take to reach?
-Around five to six hours, ma’am. The roads are winding, but the view is beautiful. We will stop midway for tea if you wish. And I have my mother to take care of you and she is inside the car. Give me your bag Ma'am, I will load it in the back.

I nodded, smiling and followed him to a black SUV, while he loaded my duffle bag in the back. I got into the car and met an elderly woman and I understood that she is Rishi's mother. We greeted each other. Then the bmack SUV rolled on the road. The moment we hit the highway, the scenery began to change—dense forests, mist-covered hills, and tea gardens stretching like a green ocean. The road twisted and turned along the edge of mountains, sometimes revealing deep valleys below, making my heart skip a beat.
Halfway through, we stopped at a small roadside tea stall perched on a hill. I stepped out, stretching my legs and never letting the shawl fell off me as the cool mountain breeze caressed my face. Rishi's mother, whose name is Meera Ma, spoke,
-It seems like you are too tired? ~she asked me with a warm smile, handing me a steaming cup of tea. I nodded, taking the cup.
-Yes, I have hill sickness.. but I couldn't even close my eyes as the sceneries are too beautiful. ~I said, letting out a yawn~
-The cottage is ready for you. It’s isolated but safe. You’ll love the peace there. You will just rest today.
-Thank you, Aunty. I really needed this trip.
She simply patted my hand in understanding.
After finishing my tea, we resumed our journey. The road became narrower as we ascended higher into the mountains, the air turning crisper with every mile. The sun had begun to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting a golden glow over the snow-capped peaks in the distance.

As we drove along a particularly steep curve, the driver slowed down and pointed towards the left.
-Ma’am, if you look to your left, you can see the Himalayas in their full glory.

I turned my head, and my breath hitched. The mighty Himalayas stood like silent guardians, their peaks glowing under the fading sunlight. Just then, the pilot’s words from earlier on the plane echoed in my mind:

"For those seated on the left side of the aircraft, you will soon be able to catch a breathtaking view of the Himalayan range. If you look carefully, you may even spot the mighty Kanchenjunga, standing tall amidst the clouds."

At that moment, I had pressed my forehead against the cold airplane window, mesmerized by the endless stretch of mountains. But seeing them from the ground, standing so close, made it all feel surreal. Meera Ma, who sat beside me, chuckled at my awestruck expression.
-It feels different when you see them up close, doesn’t it?
I nodded, unable to find words. The serenity of the landscape, the untouched beauty of the towering peaks, and the silence that came with being in the heart of nature—it all felt so surreal. As the car climbed higher, the civilization faded behind us. Villages became sparse, and soon, we were on a secluded path lined with thick pine forests. The only sounds were the hum of the engine and the occasional rustling of leaves.
-We’re almost there. ~Rishi announced, steering the SUV down a dirt road.

A few minutes later, the cottage came into view. A wooden structure with sloping roofs, nestled between tall deodar trees, standing proudly against the backdrop of the mountains. The place looked warm, secluded, yet inviting. This is Gangtok. Today we will rest here and tomorrow, we'll be out for Lachung, my final destination. Lachung is a public but isolated place, protected by the military in North Sikkim. It is going to be 6-7 hours journey. Today, from Bagdogra to Gangtok was 4 hours, as the road was clear.

Meera Ma got down first, fishing out the keys from her shawl as she walked toward the entrance.
-Come, Y/n. Let me show you inside.

I grabbed my handbag and stepped out, taking in a deep breath. Rishi was taking out my duffle bag from the back of the car. The air smelled of pine, damp earth, and something so fresh that it made my lungs feel lighter. As I entered, the warmth of the fireplace greeted me. The cottage was cozy—wooden walls, a comfortable seating area, and a large bed with thick blankets. A window overlooked the valley below, the twinkling lights of a faraway village barely visible in the distance. I turned to Meera Ma with a grateful smile.
-This is perfect.
She nodded.
-Get some rest, child. We have to leave early in the morning to reach Lachung.

Here, I managed to get a signal to make a call to my father in-law, and also, my mother...

A/n's note: I don't know if you understood why I am late at posting :). To be honest, I have no experience of flying in airplane, and I have never visited Sikkim. I took a whole week to research on the place so that I could represent this to you as if I have really visited the place, hehe :D..(please leave some votes and comments for this poor)