Kashmir - The Unforgettable

1.

At the highest peak of the snow covered mountain , sat a mighty bird. It spreads it's wings wide , tries to fly but falls back and doubtful of the journey tries again . Straight from the start till the end , it worked hard to get the perfect flight it always wanted. It tried for the third time ,wings in the position of freedom . This time with a clever move he flew , and kept on flying. The travellers who were capturing the bird from a distance found it lying dead on the branch of a distant tree. It had fallen for the third time as well, it had flown but through the midway beaten to death by dreadful hawks.

Mike, the boss of the travelling team had arrived Kashmir, three days back with his three of the best friends straight from the NYC. Photographer by profession, he likes to travel and write. He was a keen observer and a pastime foodie. With him , Ellen, Mary and Judith marked the distance from the mountains to the heart of Kashmir, Srinagar. Mark  and the friends , were staying in a five star hotel. Their room was a middle class family types. A double bed, a television set , attached washroom and on the left side of the wall was placed a world map. A map which could take them to places unknown and which had made travel Kashmir.

Kashmir, beautiful place with white snow sheets layered up as if warming the ground beneath. Lush green forests and snow covered mountain , breath taking picturesque takes the breath away. Mike, had travelled Kashmir before and had made many acquaintances . Among which was a owner of a houseboat Rafiq . Mike,   visited  Rafiq with other's and were welcomed as if blood relatives. This was the serenity. They were in the city , sipping kahwa (A kashmiri medicinal tea with a local specially made bread). It was this hospitality which had made Mike visit Kashmir , again. This time with friends.  However , like other times Rafiq,who was always jovial  , happy go lucky person ,  looked depressed.

Mike :Are they doing it again?
Rafiq: Yes, this time with pellets
Mike: Take us to streets , we would like to capture.
Rafiq: No  No. I can't risk your lives.
Mike: Please, we will be safe. We are carrying our bullet proof jackets.
Rafiq: Okay last time. But you need to be responsible for your own safety.

Mike : Done.
Guys , We are doing this?
Ellen, Judith, Mary ( together): Yes, whatever happens let it happen. This needs to end.

All of them bow down, a sound stroke their minds. They were terrorised   , saddened. They were put to disappointment. But they had come to end this. Come to solve this. The sky lightened with yellow bright light.  It was back. The days were back. Mike , looked into the eyes of his friend. Somehow they promised them to fulfill their mission. They were confident , without realising that they were in Dante's Inferno. They were in a war zone, a zone which was again dog eared to the same old curfewed nights.