A good memory can be a mixed blessing because it means you are also struck with a near permanent record of your own past adventures ,good or bad. Mine was good!
When leaving for Allahabad trip , my mum and I decided to visit the banks of Ganges.Although, I was'nt sure I'll bath there or not but my mum was surely. And, trust me she is a determined devoutee!
Ganga water is said to be amrita, the elixir of life with the power to absolve sin.'Paap dhone ke liye', even I answered this to all friends back home,when they asked me why Allahabad and not Delhi?!?
I am a travelling freak.I enjoy visiting places and moreover love exploring them.And, my parents and friends know, I can even runaway for a travelling pleasure! A gender factor often comes in mid but I m too smart to handle it.
Day 2 in Allahabad,7am I woke up.Wanted to enjoy the chilly morning breeze.Pataooed my younger cousin and along with him 3 more got ready.Nitesh,Shubham and Manu, all are studying in school.Nitesh is eldest of all the three. And, not to forget I am the 'Badi Didi' .I asked for persmisson with my mum, if we can go out for a walk.Including, my mum all other in the family, agreed . I asked for some money and she doubted where will I go early morning?! Kewl ! My mousa ji , mama all came forward to give me money but I refused and took Rs 20 only ,what my mum gave me.Never mind.
Hear what happens next. We walked by the lane and I instructed my cousins to show me Ganga Ghat. They stopped right there; nervous ,shocked ,amazed! Really I laughed on their faces. And, these little gentlemen told me Ganga Ghat is far off and Mousaji will scream saying, " Bhaisahab , meine pehle ki kaha tha ye teenoo ladke neekamee hai,sirf is ladki ko choor ke" .Manu ,the youngest of all mimics this very well. And more to hear from him ,he told me ," Didi apko toh kuch nahi hoga kyonki aap baadi hai aur hammi marenge." I did not gave a damn to what he said. And, convinced others to take me to Narayani Ghat,the nearest Ganga ghat from our residence.
Wowie! They agreed.And, Manu started giggling and telling horrendous terror stories of Mousaji.We were walking by the Cant Area and got 'The Rabbits' cadre.Some military tanks were exhibited by the paths .I remember one that was brought from 1971 war.Very scenic. I have a complain from Allahabadies, yar where's the youth?! Trust me , not a single around!
Later we hired a Tempo , to reach the Narayani Square.We walked some 4km or so. Spent Rs.8 for person. Only Nitish and I'd money. Nitish had only Rs.7.So, we had to budget things and I'd to take care of all them coz they came on my responsibility.Anyway , we managed to reach. We had to cross 3 gates to enter the main Narayani Ghat gate. My cousins all looked at me and said, "Aur kahi chalna hai iske baad?" I yelled and said, " Ganga kahan hai?" They laughed ,obviously!
Finally, we reached.I felt glad and showed my gratitude towards my cousins.At 8:10am we entered the ghat and Nitesh said at 8:15am " Ab haamein chalna chaiye wanra Mousaji bahot chilayenge." I explained him I'll look after Mousaji and Mum will help us.He was upset but the other two got in tune with me. We marched through the white sands to the ghat.And, it was beautiful..
I took pics from my mobile and splashed the amrita water on my face,legs and hands.It was damn chilled.I prayed to god to forgive all my sins,surely many! And, in these tiny tots screamed " Jai Ganga Maiya, Har-Har Gange" It felt really good to my soul and I enjoyed every second in that place.It was peaceful.I regained some power. And, now I was ready to face any trouble.Sure..? Mousaji..remember?!?
In returning , we hired a Tempo till our residence and spent the entire balance left with us.As mum said, don;t do breakfast outside so I did'nt bother to treat any of them.We reached home, all my cousins looked for reasons.And, told me not to tell we went to Ganga ghat ,and say we went to Katra, a near by market.The reason to lie, we were 2 hours late by our scheduled time to reach home and many at home fear of death in Ganga Ghats.
We entered the home, from backside straight to the terrace , so that , Mousaji dosen't see us. I was relaxed ,coz I believed noone will pin me down on this and anyway my mum won;t mind my visit to Ganga. But, the situation got reverse. All cousins got safe custody and mum came screaming "where the hell were u?" I couldn't guess a reason for such a behaviour.I listened to her but as promised to my cousins ,I did'nt told her we went to Ganga.After 30 mins she called me for breakfast and said, "today is the function ,and thats why we are in Allahabad, you should have taken care of the time limit" I refuted saying, "I'd cell phone ,a call would have helped me." And, others in the family agreed to my point and things got normal.
Later in eve, my mama came to me n said, "where were you actually in the morning?" I looked around. A naughty smiled was passed among my cousins.Quiet like a game. We said in Cores" Katra".He asked yet again .And, said," Katra opens at 10 am" . A silly point Manu said, "Papa , hum walk karne gaye the" Now, I'd to open it coz I was curious to visit other places too and for that I need permission!
I told my mum , we went to Narayani Ghat , and so it took us so long. She said" Arre..mujhe kyon nahi batya ,mein bhi chalti" Oh..she's a darling! And, Nitish , Manu ,Shubham were ready again to go with me. Manu came and said me" Didi waise ajj mazza bahot ayyii bas Mousaji bol rahe the 'Bhaisahaaaab meine toh kaha tha ye teeno ladke nekamme hai " hehe...
I enjoyed it ,literally!
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