The Unfinished Journey- A trip to Nagarjuna Sagar

It was last year July when I was cherishing some of the last few days with my friend Sudheesh. Don't get scared he is in good health. Don't think otherwise. Well.. It was Sunday and the next day my friend Sudheesh had to leave for Bangalore, permanently leaving Hyderabad. Before he leaves some of his friends planned for a long drive to Nagarjuna Sagar. Approximate distance 150 Kms. They invited me too as I have my Honda Deo with me. Everyone was in high spirit (even though they were not they tried to show as if they are all interested to go).

We called our friend Kaustubh, however, he was only one who said it upfront that he is not at all interested to go there in this late hour (2 PM IST). As we were 7 so we asked him to lend his bike and we got it too. Myself, Sudheesh, Maruthi, Swami, Theja, Madhusudan, Riaz - we all started at 2 PM sharp. Swami took his camera, as he loves to shoot good moments.

We all went to the Petrol pump, next to Shopper stop, Begumpet. Filled our bikes - full tank. Checked the pressure of the tires.. And jhoom... we all started. I was driving alone. Myself - Honda Deo, Sudheesh & Madhu - CBZ, Swami & Riaz - Red Pulsar, Theja & Maruthi - the new Black Pulsar. And we zoomed through the road to leave Hyderabad city. We passed through the legendary traffic. Had few stunts there, as I was crossed a Lorry and a Bus in very little space in between. A little more slide towards each other and I would have become a sandwich stuffing between those two slices. We went through the Gachibawli road, passed Golconda and by 3:30-4 PM we were out of Hyderabad border.

Everyone was driving very fast, as they had bikes, of course. I tried to cope up with them and few other stunts I had to take. By seeing this my dear friends all got shocked and they stopped me and forced me to leave my Honda Deo and land up in the CBZ. Riaz drove my bike for sometime. Then Madhu for sometime. And I was enjoying the drive by resting in the high back seat of CBZ. We took a couple of pics when I handed over my bike to Madhu. It was an awesome experience.

Theja suddenly started driving at the speed of 130-140 KMph. And what he suddenly vanished from our eye sight. Argh... Swami could not resist this and out of his temptation he too drove at 130-140 KMph and they both started racing each other. "Gosh!! What's happening to these guys?" I asked Sudheesh lets catch them, they are not visible at all. It's all empty road, vast expanses of land and fields. The side ways were just empty land, huge stones (seemed as if there were small hill which are destroyed now). The road was dealy black color. Seemed as if it were made just few days back. The road was looking as if a huge snake which is moving swiftly and we can't see it's head and can see just its body. There are few patches of tree in few kilometers gap. The small villages were dotting the highway. The wind was flowing heavily and it was truly thrilling.

We patiently drove at 100 KM per hour for sometime. Then we could not resist our impatience and felt embarrassed that they have gone far away and we are way behind them. Sudheesh started driving at 120 KM per hour. We worried too for our friends, so we told Madhu to come patiently, no need to hurry. And we informed him that we are going to catch those 4 stupid drivers. Sudheesh doesn't like people driving rash, so he was bit annoyed. He had already warned them to drive at 100-120 KM per hour and not more than that. Anyway... We too started to drive at 120 KM per hour. Believe me it was even more thrilling. Sitting at the back seat that too in CBZ where pillion's seat is higher than the driver, feeling the touch of the wind.. not touch.. but force of the wind, I started feel the chillness of the weather, as it was almost 5 pm and the sun was about to set. I was thinking if Swami would have handed over the camera to me, I could have clicked some beautiful pics.

Finally, we caught Swami and Riaz. We took another snap there, when we caught Theja and Maruthi. We again continued our journey. We went few kilometers. As usual Swami and Theja again started their race. The after some time we caught Swami and Riaz near a mechanic. We all stopped there. Swami's back tire was punctured and they skipped an accident. So, the mechanic was fixing it. He had to put a new tire. Ah... spent some money there.. poor Swami he was sad, as he said, just a week ago I had put a new tire. They all went to a near by restaurant to savor some coke, while I was enjoying clicking some pics in Swami's camera. The mechanic was done and we continued our journey again.

Swami took some pics of his punctured tire, he seemed to be missing that tire. Then the pillions swapped. Swami with Maruthi and Theja with Riaz. We again continued and this time they all vanished without any warning signal. So, Sudheesh drove faster too to catch them. It seemed as if he was very much worried about them. I savored some more cold wind and peacefulness. We were just 20 KM away from our destination. It was just amazing. We continued our drive and suddenly... what we went through is unforgettable.

Swami is waving his hand with his handkerchief and trying to stop the passer by. His bike was in left side. Maruthi is running to the right side of the road. Both are tensed. We reached there and found Theja and Riaz injured. The bike was somewhere lying among the sand and stone lying beside the highway black road. We parked our bike where Swami's bike was parked, and rushed to Theja and Riaz.

Theja was holding his stomach and was unable to open even his eyes. His belly had hit to a pointed stone. And there were few scratches in  his hand. He was wearing Kaustubh's helmet so nothing happened to his head. However, what we noticed is there was a big hole in the helmet where it has hit hard to another stone. If the helmet would not have been there then his chin and mouth definitely would have broken. Swami held Theja in his lap and tried to take out his helmet.

Sudheesh and me went to Riaz. Maruthi was holding him. Riaz's condition was very bad. I would say very very bad. I can recall his injured face clearly even now. His head was injured and continuous blood was coming. Maruthi was trying to stop the blood with his handkerchief. There are other villagers who joined us. They tried to arrange some water, however, we didn't had much. Then I remember my room-mate saying that taking some water with you during journey is considered as auspicious. I don't know if it's auspicious or not, however we were fortunate for I had followed my room-mate's advice that day. I could remember then that I have got some water with me. I took out my small water bottle and we helped Riaz and Theja drink. Riaz was feeling very thirsty and he was closing his eyes. I guess he was unable to hear our voices too. Maruthi and Myself were asking him to keep his eyes open and to stay with us. He was closing his eyes as if he is going to some deep sleep. Also his left side face has a flesh come out near his nose. That was simply looking horrible. I could see his bone. It was also bleeding heavily and not stopping at all. For sometime we could not understand what to do. All those bad thoughts were coming what if they die. Oh!! God!! What would we tell to their parents. And we were so so soooo tensed.

In the time Madhu came and that's when the idea came to my mind, that there's no point sitting helpless and crying or cursing. When I saw my bike I found myself bit relieved cause I always carry my first aid kit with me. I snatched the key from Madhu and ran to my bike. Opened the seat and took out the first aid kit. We put the ointment in Riaz's nose and head. We also tried to out the band-aid to his head. The ointment really worked. Within minutes the blood started clotting. Then we tried to stop few of the auto rickshaws to take them to the near by hospital which was again 10KM away from that place. There were no population nearby.

No auto stopped to take us. We tried our best. 5 minutes left, that's when we realized there's no point waiting for these auto rickshaws. We some how pulled Theja and tried to make him sit behind Swami in his bike. We tried to tie him with the jacket along with Swami. We asked Theja to hols Swami tight, and then they left Swami was carefully driving. After them when Riaz felt a little good when blood clotted, he some how sat behind Sudheesh. Then Sudheesh left for the hospital. Madhu too went to accompany them in searching the hospital.

We two, myself and Maruthi we stayed near the spot. There were patches of blood in our dresses and in our hands. We sat there and prayed to God. Whatever "Mantras" we knew we chanted all those. Whatever God/Goddess lockets we were wearing, we held those and were constantly praying God to save them. The passer by were coming to us by seeing the blood patches and the complete damaged bike. And we were telling them the same story. They too shared some of their experiences, how they saw some accidents few days back at this same spot. They also mentioned that there were few accidents where the person died on the spot. That scared us more and our heartbeat even became faster. They were discussing about the road and its faults. There was a sharp turn in the road and there were few small stones. That's where and that's why our bike had skid and our friends met with the accident.

We waited for around an hour. We called our friends to find out if they reached safely. However, everyone's mobile was switched off. Maruthi tried to narrate what he saw. He explained me how the bike had skid just in front of their eyes - how Riaz rolled over on the air and fell on those big stones - how Theja skid along with the bike and then left it after he hit the stone.

Our friends called us and informed us that the stitching is done and they have booked a cab for Theja and Riaz. Sudheesh came in his bike, Swami had left his bike in the hospital as he was accompanying Theja and Riaz in the cab. I took my Honda Deo, Madhu and Maruthi left in the CBZ that Sudheesh was driving. And Sudheesh tried to drive the broken black Pulsar. Sudheesh's jacket was completely drenched in blood. The Pulsar's handle was damaged, however, somehow the Petrol Tank was not damaged. Maruthi and Madhu went after the cab. It was difficult for Sudheesh to drive that damaged bike. So, we drove very slowly.

It was almost night when we started our journey back to Hyderabad. The Sun has already set leaving us in the dark night. Wind was blowing even harder this time. I was no more enjoying the wind. Mean while it also started raining. We had our petrol tanks full again in the mid of our journey. We took a break there to save ourselves from the heavy wind and rain. However, we could not wait more as the tension was rising faster. We continued our journey. We reached Hyderabad and there was heavy traffic and heavy raining. Road, water, traffic everything was flowing. At 10 PM we reached Apollo hospital, Banjara Hills. They had already reached much earlier than us and Riaz's stitching was removed. They had new stitches. There were total 6 stitches in his head and the flesh near nose was not stitched but was properly treated. He was resting and was awake.

Theja was sleeping in his head and was making noise holding his stomach. Doctors said they can go home now. However, Theja's pain, what has happened to him? Theja woke up after sometime by hearing our talks. He started crying with pain in his stomach. We were bit worried. Doctors said nothing has happened. Swami was not convinced. He was after the doctor to do scanning. They said no need nothing, has happened. Swami almost fought with them to scan his stomach. Finally they did and asked us to wait for an hour or 2 to get the reports.

We waited there, brought some food for Riaz. Theja was lying and was looking very week. We left them for sometime to rest. And waited outside. Everyone was worried. We informed some of Theja's colleagues. His best friend came to visit him. The reports came after sometime. And yes, he has an injury in his stomach, though doctor's didn't confirm. They said some liquid is found in his stomach and they are not sure if its blood or something else. We were sure it was blood. They just tried to relax us by not saying. However, we were more worried about that.

They did some more scanning and tried to insert something to his body to find out if its blood. Theja got scared when they took him to another room and there were many machines around him. We tried to keep ourselves relaxed and smiling, so that he feel relaxed. He asked many questions and we were telling him there's some scanning going to happen to confirm that you perfectly fine. Just be calm and sleep for sometime. He was looking at all our faces to figure out if there are any traces of worry.

They did scanning and he was not allowed to move. However, he was willing move as it was almost 3 hours that he was in the same position in the bed. Docs confirmed that its blood and they moved him immediately to ICU. We all were waiting there. Sudheesh asked others to go home. How can we go home leaving him alone in the hospital. Everyone is sleeping. There is hardly any noise in the hospital. So we all decided to stay. We sat sometime on the steel chairs. Then lied down over the series of chairs lying there.

We got whatever medicines the docs asked. One was sitting near Riaz to guard him and others were sleeping, on a rotation basis. When the morning came we could hardly realize. Although we didn't see sun, we could listen the sounds now. Slowly the hospital started to get rush with patients, doctors, visitors. Everyone was having a look at us. And were trying to figure out what has happened. Some even asked us.

It was Monday morning. Office time. So, we all went to see Theja. However, they didn't let us go inside ICU. Only Sudheesh went and we all waited for him. He confirmed that Theja is OK. So, we started for our homes / hostels. Sudheesh waited there. Swami and Maruthi too left for home. They later came to hospital with food and cloth. And they took care of him.

We informed Theja's family about this accident. He told them that it happened as some dog came in front of him and he had to do sudden break. Because of which he met with this accident. He did not tell them about the trip. We too kept quite as if we don't know anything. He was there for 5 days and then he was discharged. He went to Bangalore with his parents as Doctor had asked him to rest for at least a month. Riaz didn't tell anything in his home. However, he was in too much pain after the pain killer effect was gone. So after 2-3 days we asked him to inform his family and he did so. He left for Bangalore and after he went there with his family's care he recovered very fast.

This is our unfinished journey to Nagarjuna Sager Waterfalls. We could not finish. All we have now is few pics before the accident and in hospital. We met with some unfortunate situations. However, we never left the spirit to go on long drive. However, we definitely learned, "Carefully drive - or - Risk to Loose your life"

Catch you in next blog...
♥ ~ Smile

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है? (Is silence silent in itself?)

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है!!

सुबह की किरण जब अंधियारे को
चिर पूरी दुनिया को रोशन करती है
बेचैन फूल सारे खिल उठते हैं

पंछियाँ चेह्चेहाने लगती हैं
टीम टीम तारें सब घबरा
कहीं दूर भाग जाती हैं

चेहेक उठती है दुनिया
और साथ जाग उठते हैं
ये दुनिया वाले

फूल अपनी पंखुडियां हिला
मुस्कुराती निखर उठती हैं, और लगती हैं
करने हवासे कितनी सारी बातें

दूर गगन मैं सूरज सीना तान
खडा हो जाता है, उसे देख लोग
अपने काम मैं निर्लिप्त हो जाते हैं

धीरे धीरे शाम को जब नशा चढ़ने लगता है
झूम झूम के वह सारे जगपे
अपने भांग का रश चढाते जाता है

उसकी मादिरा व्याकुल किसी मन् को
मदहोश कर जाती है, सन्नाटे की तलाश मैं
वह मन् दूर गगन् को ताकता रेहता है

ढलते सूरज के दुपट्टे मैं
मुहं छुपाकर उसकी नज़रें
तन्हाई से गुफ्तगू करती हैं

तब मन् के सागर मैं उथल पुथल
सी होने लगती हैं, ये मन् बिना मुहं खोले
अपने भाव से सारी फ़िज़ा से बातें करती हैं

उस खामोशी के भंवर मैं
बस एक ही ख़याल आता हैं
बस बार बार एक ही सवाल आता है

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है?

मोर को जैसे काले बादल का
चंद्रमा को जैसे काली रात का
मुझे इंतज़ार है उसी तरह इस सवाल के जवाब का

(The photo is taken by my colleague. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mliebenberg/2258849964/in/set-72157594358961495/)

फिर मिलते हैं अगले ब्लोग़ मैं...
♥ ~ मुस्कान

Ocean of clouds...

Here's a beautiful ocean...
             The ocean of clouds.

Life is also an ocean...
            Sometime of happiness,
                        Sometime of sadness.

You see it from different angle... you will find that...
            It is an ocean of nothing else,
                        but human experiences...

Make a nice day ahead...

Catch you in the next blog
~ Mili

The Lost Treasure...

The mirror you have - it never lies.
Be it the night or day full of light,
it is the trail of your emotions.
The silent speakers,
speaks the unspoken,
reflects your deepest desires.

Just looking into them, heavenly music I can hear,
night becomes filled with the moon light,
my senses rise with the touch of those cool winds.
It drags me to indulge into the deepest secrets lying in you,
to dive into the ocean of your love,
to relish the smell of your breath, and touch your lips.

Small yet so tempting, pushing me to touch you,
to feel the soothing hug, savor the care
and affection that you shower on me.
Read my eyes... can you read my eyes!!
Take me with you, I want to live those moments we had shared,
when everything was love.. Just Love!! And 'You-Me' were "We".

You are the one who changed my life,
showed me this beautiful world of love;
I don't have to tell, you know - this is eternal truth.
You are what I am today - for I am independent.
You are my courage - for I can face this world.
After failure I get up and try again, you are that strength.

Mani-er times I have felt
if I could become wind,
I would reach you in moments;
Away from everyone and everything,
invisible from this entire world,
I could spend the rest of my life in that little place.

"Love, it can set you free" - can I be free again?
Can I be with my love again?
One more chance - or - one more life! Or will it...?
Every hour, every day... I miss those twinkling lights,
Always... always... I miss those twinkling lights,
Always... always... I miss my lovely picture in it.

Miracle!! does it happen? I'm waiting for it to happen.
All those moment is alive and static in here.
Touch my soul... you are always here, safe in here.
One more time, I wanna dive into those beautiful ocean,
the mirrors - my true picture, I wanna see myself;
I wanna see myself again in it, its the only desire.

The moments we spent waiting to meet
The nights we waited in desire to spend life together
The dreams we had seen - here, in here that truth lies.
The precious smile, the refreshing dimples
become alive with the sparkle of the pearl stored in those shells -
the only treasure I had - I lost it... I lost - Your "Eyes"!!

Catch you in the next blog...
~ Mili

Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?

I was in hurry to rush home today, for I have to go and prepare food for my family.

Family!! Ah we are only two people now. Still travelling one and half hour in this traffic is definitely a daily terror I go through.

It was as usual rush hours. Lots of bikes, many cars, auto rickshaws and yes Buses; and I am in one of those BMTC Buses now, trying to take a glance of what others are doing.

Here’s what took my attention today - Two kids trying to cross the road in the heavy traffic of Bangalore.

Two young boys, the kind of care they share for each other, it feels as if they are siblings.

One is around 6 years and the other is... umm... would be around 8 years.

They were holding their hands tight and were coming forward to cross the road.

However, the high speed vehicles, rather the iron animals were filling fear in them every time they pass in front of them.

They came a little forward from the bus stop and looked to the right is some vehicle is coming.

Yes, there are … however, they are far away

The younger one looked at the elder one. However, the elder was constantly keeping an eye on the vehicles which were coming fast.

By seeing what brother is doing he too looked at the road.

They moved a little forward. Alas, the vehicle reached to them very fast and they again rushed back still holding each other’s hand a bit tightly now.

Again back to the same place from where they had started.

They waited till the vehicles pass.

Yes, now the road is clean and the vehicles are far away.

“We can move now!” was the feeling.

They held each other’s hand again and started to move.

Bad luck, within few seconds they were in the middle of the road and the vehicles rushed near them.

They are in the middle of the road, standing still as a statue.

If they move a little forward or backward, they will be crushed or at least will be throw away to a short distance.

The drivers without even taking the responsibility of their fault would start scolding them and would make a big mess out there.

They would stop every other driver and passerby and would make unnecessary noise so that no one could dare to blame the driver.

Murmuring God’s name they are holding their hands tight, very tight and are trying to control the other, not to move.

The wind is waving their little hairs; the fear on their innocent face is obvious now.

The only thing they can see now is the head lights of the cars, bikes, auto rickshaws and the busses.

Waiting for when the traffic signal would turn Red and they could cross the road safely is the only prayer they are doing now.

“Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?” - that’s the only thought going on in my mind too.

God save these poor little children, who have determined to face this busy and cruel world and their cruelty.

Ah! My Bus is moving now a little forward. All the passengers are in. God! Please turn the light Red.

RED

Phew… finally the children could cross the road. They are Relaxed now and thanked God by the usual gesture we Indians have, touching our throat and fore-head with our hand.

Thank God! Thanks for helping these kids in their start of their journey for the struggle they have to face in this fast paced world.

Catch you in the next blog...

~ Mili

Questions of My Life!

Life Sucks!
Why this feelings comes to my mind?
Am I not happy from the heart
Or may be I've just become blind.

There are people struggling
daily for a mouthful of rice,
Still with all the facilities
Why I feel, life's not so nice?

There's pain, there's suffering;
still the handicapped is able to climb mount Averest.
Why am I closing the eye to this beautiful life?
Why I wish to let my soul die, be in peace and take rest?

Why am I so violent? Why am I not happy?
What's my life's goal; what's my ambition?
When will I get these questions' answer?
Who is there to remind me my lost vision?

I am tired of falling down and
regain my lost strength;
My thirst for that affection and love
is now choking my breath.

When will this waiting period be over?
When will I be able to live a fulfilled life?
The only path I can see is the path of Moksha.
However, out of the responsibilities I bear, now I only grief.