Adventure to Solambi: story of 3 brave kids.

“Bala( my brother)”, what is beyond that mountain? “Other villages like ours", Bala replied. "How far is Borli (village) from there?" I asked curiously. "Once you cross that mountain, hardly 1 to 2 km from there".

“Wow, it means that if I cross that 

mountain I can get a chance to meet her” (I imagined in my mind). “Why are you smiling Dada? Bala asked. “Nothing. I want to cross that mountain”. 

“What? Are you crazy? It is 25 km from here. There is no clear road to go there. You will have to make your way. Apart from it, there might be dangerous animals waiting for you like wild pigs, poisonous snakes, black scorpions, and thorny bushes." 

He tried to persuade me not to go there as seldom any villager visits. 

Whatever it may be, I will cross that mountain at any cost. Apart from adventure, I might get a chance to meet her. But I was afraid to go alone. One person who can come with me is my langotiya yar (childhood friend) Vaibhav who is fond of adventure. He is the only person who knows about my crush so he can help me to go there.

It was evening at 7 PM and the lights were gone as usual in the village. The mild wind was blowing. I saw Vaibhav who was sat under the tree. I joined him. "What’s new in the village? Nothing, as usual", he replied. We discussed daily meters happening in the villages. In between, I asked him about that mountain. “Have you ever crossed that mountain?" "Which?"

"Solambi".

"Not yet. But I have heard about it from my grandmother. In the old time, people used to cross that mountain when the transport system was not available. Now the old route has vanished. No one knows how to get there. Wait wait wait... Why are you asking about it? Mhhh. Now I understand you want to cross the mountain to meet her, don't you?"

"A... a…a …not specifically. But yes and I want you to come with me". "What? I am not mad to come with you just to meet your crush who even doesn't know you. It's been 2 years since you fell for her. And tell me why should I come with you?" "Arey chill, I know that you love adventures. Just come with me to enjoy the trip". Somehow I tried to convince him. Still, he was not ready. 

After so many requests, he became ready to come with me on condition that anyone who knows the route should be there with us. Bala was the person who once crossed that mountain with my uncle to bring goats from Borli. The most difficult challenge of crossing that mountain was to convince Bala. He is so stubborn. He listens to no one and does the thing that he likes. 

I don’t know but he got ready to come without any conditions as I explained to him about my adventure to cross Solambi Mountain. But he doesn’t have any idea about my real intention. 

We decided to go in the morning. I woke up before the alarm rang. Bala who slept beside me was deep in sleep. His sleep is like Kumbakaran. “Bala wake up… wake up Bala.. in a soft voice I tried to awake him.  I took out his chaddar( bed sheet) from him and shook it quietly. After 15 minutes of trying, he woke up. We got ready with a backpack carrying biscuits, wafers, a water bottle, a knife (for safety), and a wooden stick (for support while climbing).

Around 6 o'clock, we tried to escape from the back door walking slowly. Slowly. Suddenly my little sister saw that we were going somewhere to do new Kant( naughty things which cause trouble). She looked at us with anger. I fold my hand to request her not to tell Mother. I shook my neck saying no…no… no. but she also shook her neck saying "yes… yes... Yes I will tell Mother". She did that. Before Mother woke up we ran away. 

Vaibhav was waiting for us under the pipal tree which was behind my house.

We began our journey with enthusiasm. I was wearing loose full pants, a green T-shirt, and a cap. Vaibhav wearing Jeans and T-shirt. Bala holding a wooden stick as our adventure guide. He was leading us on our way to Solambi Mountain. 

Adventure is not going as easily as I was imagining. Apart from a long-distance journey(around 25 km), we are going to face so many challenges like the steep slope of the mountain, harsh summer weather, thorny bushes, etc.

1st Mountain

We had to climb a total of 3 mountains to reach our destination. As usual, we easily climbed the 1st mountain. While climbing we were accompanied by cattle that were grazing in the forest. Peacocks sound mau.. mau.. mau was coming from a distance giving a joyful morning feeling.

Birds were leaving their nest saying goodbye to their babies to find grains for a meal. 

Putting foot steps faster, a group of ladies wearing sarees, holding a sickle in one hand and eating bhakari( rice bred) from another hand were going to bring firewood. They made fun of us, “Hey kids, where are you going?" "You are so cute",stretching Bala's cheeks, one lady tried to annoy him.  Bala gave an angry look at her saying, “Leave us otherwise I will throw cow dung on you?” He picks up a handful of cow dung on his palm. They ran away by using abusive words to Bala. Bala also used his weapon of all abusive words. 

Around 8 AM we reached the Goddess Temple located in the forest. We took the blessing of the goddess and prayed for our safe journey. Now from here, the 2nd mountain starts. 

2nd Mountain 

The mountain was covered with big trees, bushes, and dried leaves. It was a little steep slope to climb. Abandoned barricaded agriculture fields give us the idea that our ancestors used to do farming here in the old time. But due to the long distance from the village, it remained barred land now. The density of trees was such that a little sun's rays passed by trees on the ground. Thereby less amount of grass. By climbing halfway we got exhausted. We drank all the water we had brought with us. Even though I was travel enthusiastic, I am the weakest among them. I was scared of snakes. Therefore, I put every step carefully. Negative thoughts arise in my mind like what if I put my leg on a snake, what if the snake is hiding under the dried leaves. Suddenly Vaibhav slaps my head “No negative thinking ok”. “ Ok”, I replied. 

"Aaiii g aai g… ( screaming noise of Vaibhav). I turned back and saw Vaibhav screaming with full pain sitting on the rock. The pointed edge of the thorn pricked his foot and blood started flowing. Vaibhav was crying like a small kid. We try to cool him down. Bala comes ahead and holds his left leg on his thigh. Slowly. Slowly. He tries to pull the thorn. While pulling Vaibhav screamed as the intensity of the pain increased. He finds little relief when the thorn was taken out. However, his blood still ran like anything. 

Bala was aware of puffball fungus which is widely available in the forest. So he brought that and applied it on the wound. “What is this powder for? Will it heal the wound soon?" I asked. “No. but it helps to stop blood flowing as it faster blood clotting,” Bala replied.

Giving shoulder support to Vaibhav we move forward. It was around 11 AM when we reached a place called Gaani where old water tanks were present. In old times this place provided water to our villages. The place was very cool and calm. The blowing cold wind dried out my sweating. It was a relaxing moment for me. We put Vaibhav on one flat rock and I went to fill the water. 

Each sip of water was quenching my thirst. Neither any Bisleri water nor any fruit juice has given satisfaction level ever.  Vaibhav and bala also quench their thirst. Bala took out a biscuit from the bag and we stuffed it all in our mouths as we were hungry as well.

3rd Mountain:

From Gaani, the 2nd mountain ends. Now we encounter the last and 3rd mountain. “Vaibhav, are you ok now? Yes, I am ok. Vaibhav also was enjoying the adventures as he said, "There is no adventure without struggle and difficulties". His words inspired me.  

 

The 3rd mountain doesn’t seem as big or difficult as the 2nd one. However, it was covered with dense thorny bushes and bamboo. The wild pigs hide in these bushes. So we had to be very careful. 

 

I and Vaibhav can’t see any route or old ways to go up. We asked Bala, “What next? How can we pass this mountain?” “Just follow me,” Bala said in a hard voice. We followed him like he was our captain and we were his assistant. 

I was in the middle because I was scared the most. If anyone from the forest attacked us I would be safe. 

We just began climbing and dried snake skin from above the tree fell on my head. Due to its lightweight, I could not realize its presence. But Vaibhav behind me was enjoying the view and laughing. I just looked at him and asked, What? " Are you enjoying it?” He shook his head with a smile. 

When we crossed half of the steep slope of the mountain, we saw the beautiful view of my village. Kharsai dam, high tide creek, the moving vehicles look like ants. I have never enjoyed such a beautiful view. It gives me a bird's eye view. 

We were making noise loudly Hurray... Hurray. Hurray… I was dancing in the middle of the slope. Bala saw a dried snake skin on my head and still am enjoying it. He slapped me and put dried skin on my palm. "What is this stupid?" It gave me heartbreak. I got scared and threw it away immediately. I gave an angry look to Vaibhav who was laughing and didn't tell me about it. I fight with him but Bala stops me. 

The moment came when we crossed all 3 mountains to reach the top most point. It was afternoon and a warm wind was blowing. Sun rays were intensely falling on us. The world behind the mountain which I was always curious to know was in front of me. 

To be continued….