Leh Ladakh - Chapter 9

Amit and I came back inside the tent as it was getting really cold. My hands were numb and he was rubbing them with his. We huddled under one blanket and were drinking tea. I could see the other girls looking at us as if Indian couples can't even do that. But no matter what they think of us, I was really happy with Amit. I was so glad I agreed to take the trip with him.

Meanwhile, Krishna went back to where the other 2 girls were waiting. He managed to reach the spot, unharmed, and stopped the car at a distance. There was water flowing heavily on the road itself. He came out of the car and started walking in the ice-cold, flowing water. He called out to them as they were sitting inside the car. They had 5 huge, big international traveling bags. Although, Krishna was being polite and acting sort of a "hero" (now he wished Amit had joined him as well). He carried all the 5 bags to the tiny car. I really wonder how he managed to fit them in and on the car. Now that the bags were in, both the girls, Anath and Natalie, along with Krishna were supposed to fit in the car. The entire back seat was full with the bags, which meant Krishna got the privilege of sitting in the front with both the beautiful girls. So, they headed our way...

Throughout the journey to Sarchu, both the girls were all praises about Amit and Krishna. They must've thanked them like a million times. Well, yeah, like I did nothing. It wasn't so much, but still, it was something. Anyway, back to their ride to the tents. They came to the same bumpy patch and Krishna asked both the girls to get down to guide the way. The road was slippery, wet due to rain, and one side of the road was a deep valley. There were huge mountains on the other side and the girls were walking (frightened) hand in hand. Natalie slipped and lost her balance for a second, but Anath quickly helped her back up. Krishna parked the car ahead and came back to get the girls. He was happy that he got to walk hand in hand with 2 beautiful Israeli girls. They reached the car and everyone had a smoke. I guess this journey calls for it. The girls kept on thanking Krishna as they stood talking for quite some time.

The girls were narrating their saga of coming to India. They told him when they reached India, how their rented car arrived late, and now the accident here. When they used to have their lunches/dinners in New Delhi, people used to stare at them. Natalie interrupted Anath and added, "they used to stare at us like we were monkeys!" They all finished their smokes and headed back to where we were. Next came the road where the mountain side had come down on the road. But Krishna drove the car as if he knew the road damn well. Out of another hurdle, then acme the last 1 km patch. He drove carefully and within 10 minutes we were helping him get the luggage out of the car. We had 3 tents amongst the 8 of us. The boys got 1 tent and the other 2 were divided equally between us girls. Amit got me a thick blanket to sleep in, but before that, I really needed something to eat. And of course, we had maggie. The girls had maggie and chapati; we had just maggie and tea.

I wore Amit's thick sweater as I was feeling really cold in the stupid small tent. And the blanket was not helping either. Krishna got busy in talking with Maya, who was not in my tent (luckily, because she smoked hashish, I hated the smell). I guess Krishna tried it with her, perhaps he wanted to impress her or something. As I was about to lie down in my not-so-comfortable sleeping bag, I saw Natalie walk towards Amit. She was talking to him and smiling in a weird manner. (I can tell when it's a regular smile or a flirtatious one; hello I'm a girl) I indicated Amit to go inside his tent and stop talking to her. Natalie turned to look at me and came towards the tent. Well she was sleeping in the same tent anyway, but that wasn't the only thing in her mind. She came to me and asked me what the matter was. I told her that she should stay away from Amit if she wanted to return home (not entirely the same words, but something around that line). I could see a puzzled look on her face and I had to tell her that Amit is my boyfriend and we are seeing each other. She started laughing at me and blurted out that it was difficult for her to believe what I just said. As she was making fun of my relationship with Amit, I was getting angry by the minute. And I quickly realized that she was challenging me and announcing that it would take her only few days till Amit and I lasted. The information didn't seem to seep in her tiny brain, so I had to really explain her.

And these were my actual words: This will be our first and last conversation about my relationship with Amit. If you ever try to come between us, which I'm assuming you will, you're going to go back home with lifetime of memories from India. And it won't be your trip to Leh Ladakh.