Pilgrimage

A journey to a place of religious worship, to seek the Grace of the Divine, to rediscover the meaning behind one’s existence, whether it is for us or for an existence beyond our comprehension?

A colloquy that reveals the truth of your being, in a moment of humility. A curt message that unravels a mystery of the dark recesses of another’s mind.

A heart to heart at the altar of truth – a step towards one’s transformation on this voyage called life.

A sharp remark that makes you relook at your beliefs; evaluating the core of your being. Makes you think when you became this way and who else was there to witness this.

A relationship undone; questioning your faith in humanity. A friend who is now a stranger, a parent who is just a tired adult trying to do their best, a lover that is as present as the curl of smoke that rises from the striking of a match, here one second, gone the next.

Happy pictures on a friend’s laptop viewed out of context of the conversations surrounding the situation. Pictures upon pictures stored precariously into folders marked with dates; the digital equivalent of a photo album crammed with notes penned in faded ink and tissue paper. Going through them, fondly recalling the stories behind them, and mourning the loss of the ones you don’t remember.

“I love you.” The undercurrents of intense chemistry stated in simple words. Repeating these three words back - what wonderful things words are, holding an entire universe of feelings within some letters - with a toothy smile, a clasping of hands or a heartfelt kiss. Acknowledged.

A journey to another city to meet a friend you have not met in a long time or a college reunion; trepidation and excitement fizzing away in your stomach like freshly opened canned drink. The cacophony of cackles, giggles and shrill voices reminiscing about old times. Warm group hugs with the gaggle of girls on a party night out.

A sudden rush of fondness for a colleague you have worked with for years, at their farewell party. Thinking of their peculiar little habits and mannerisms that you’ve unconsciously adopted over the years; you take your tea the same way they do and mix the sugar in counterclockwise direction.

A series of dinner outings from the office, forging bonds outside of work. That feeling of kinship as you and a colleague muse over shared experiences.

Mindful preparation for the work week. Spending your Saturday pacing around the house, finding peace in those chores that you usually find tedious to do on weekdays. Winding down, immersed yourself watching the still waters of a dam over the weekend.

A lone tear rolling into the damp pillow before you drift into sleep, body heavy with the pain of your soul. The fresh clean Surya namaskar wiping it all away the next morning with a bright chirpy smile.

Reading someone’s blog, marveling at the variety of the emotion infused into their words. People are immortalized in the words they left behind or in the ones uttered by others and you idly wonder if you should start a blog or let your loved ones keep you alive.

Hymns sung off-key while standing at the bank of a gushing river on a trip with friends. Shivering night in a tent on the wet forest floor, huddling together for warmth. Bike rides on winding mountain roads, racing to see who got to the finish line first so the loser could treat the rest. Organizing one activity after another - anything to escape boring college lectures.

Watching the sunrise beyond the hills yet-to-be-climbed after a drenched-to-the-bone walk and huddling together close to the stove for warmth.

A solemn question popped with reverence at a temple – a silly disbelieving giggle as a hurtful response.

A mountain to climb, a challenge to overcome. An outside of professional work milestone achieved, committed to serving the nation with every skill you can bring to the table. Busy nights making Object Oriented Pascal code to work. Bits and bytes over communication channel.

A brief interlude after a trek by the brook, sharing your dreams with a stranger at the base of the mountain before you join your group with whom you stopped to admire the beauty of nature.

A shrill jarring painful phone call in the wee hours of the morning from someone you left behind a long time ago, yanking you back to places you thought you would never revisit.

Bringing up a pet, a life changing experience. Basking in the realization that you are their whole world and that they will love you without judgement. Taking pictures and making video after video on your phone. Mimicking your friends behavior and laughing your head off.

Those rushed preparations for festivals, the glow of the earthen oil lamps illuminating the house populated with people of all shapes and sizes, your people.

And oh! Those fun-filled, bring your own booze, zoom calls to celebrate the birthday of a college friend now in the US.

The cleaning of forests of non-degradable litter with volunteers from a corporate sponsor. Making the place livable for the others that breathe, and scurry up the trees to their abodes.

A pining for what was and what could have been. A foray into new frontiers with people you have never met before.

Words from a faraway place painting pictures of a happy future that could be – if only.

A journey into one's own soul through the kaleidoscope of experiences – that is a pilgrimage.