We have always been the kinds who plan it many times, and never end up following it. And then, sometimes, it's a last minute plan, which ends up being remembered as the best thing ever. The trip to Sinhagad was an example of the latter.
We, my school friends, that is Meghana, Gayatri, Manasi, Vedang had been talking about it and one fine Saturday morning, 6:30 AM, our long planned trip would be undertaken.
Or so we thought.
But Meghana couldn't miss her morning lecture, because it was very important ( I just think she has a huge crush on a certain someone - If I'm dead tomorrow, you know who to blame ), and Vedang gave in to the unnecessary urge to turn responsible and submit the college D.D. on time. I can never figure out that guy and his ways ( Pun intended ; ) - Again, if I'm dead tomorrow, someone had an accomplice )
So, when Saraswat Bank finally decided to oblige, and hand over the Demand Draft, it was 11:30 AM already ( and for the first time, it was NOT me who was late..so hahahahah! HA! ) Of course we made constructive use of the time we spent waiting for Vedang, while he claimed to be "on his way". We cursed him a billion times, decided ways to make him pay, and shopped for chocolates, biscuits, and other goodies, and made a pact of not sharing any of it with him.
When the three of us arrived at the bus stop, Vedang was already there, dressed in gray with red shoes. He took one look at us and was evidently disappointed to see that not one of us came wearing shorts. We sought sadistic pleasure.
We had to wait another 45 minutes for the next bus to arrive, and in that time we garnered local attention by talking loudly and taking snaps. Gayatri wore a bored expression, and made sure all of us took notice of it. That expression was replaced with a huge smile for the camera and a huge smile and wink for Vedang with the camera.
When the bus finally arrived, we dashed into it like crazed idiots and took the wrong seats. Females on the left, males on the right it seems. And for the first time Vedang was in the correct seat. So the four of us ambled over to the other side, and managed to get three empty seats, leaving Meghana to fend for herself in the bus, as it jerked and lurched.
The bus conductor immediately developed a thing for Meghana. Most men do. Only this time, it didn't work in her favour. On second thought, it never really does. He stubbornly told her she couldn't stand anywhere near us, because supposedly that was his "space" and no amount of cajoling or bugging could make relent. Gayatri threw him dirty looks openly, she swore and I made pathetic, miserable faces as though I couldn't tolerate the injustice of being separated from my friend. After realizing none of that made a difference to him, I too joined Gayatri and threw him irritated, pissed off looks.
The bus journey was a lot of fun. Vedang did a pole dance ( Meghana claims to have seen it ), and I will put up evidence the minute I get it. That might have tired him as he ended up sleeping for the remaining part of the journey. Meghana kept trying to win a seat next to us, Gayatri decided to spread the love by giving dirty looks to everyone and when she got bored with that she'd use my shoulder as her head rest. Manasi , the budding photographer, fiddled around with her camera and I assisted by posing for it.
When we reached the foothill, we decided climbing was not an option and called for help. Which came in the form of Rahul, Raghav, in formal clothes and leather shoes and a white Accent. However, while they took their time navigating their way to us, we started walking up. We sang, I danced, I sang. Vedang told me to shut up. I sang louder.
Manasi patiently waited while we moved out from her frame and clicked pictures of the lovely scenery around us. Vedang urged us to move faster. He apparently assumed that all of us shared his goal of losing weight. ( No, he doesn't love trekking. Why would you want to believe that? )
The same continued, till our knights in shirt n' boots arrived on a white stallio., sorry Accent. Us five hitchhikers happily crammed in the car. And were all set to go.
Or so we thought.
It wasn't even a kilometre before we smelled smoke. The engine roared although we were hardly moving. Uh oh.
Car did not like few of us. And it made that clear. Meghana, Manasi, Vedang didn't like stubborn car either. So they left us to bear it's tantrums.
After guessing what was sufficient time for the car to recover, Gayatri, Raghav, Rahul and I sat back in the and hoped for a smoother ride. But it wasn't in the stars for us. We were stuck on a slope, and we had a rebellious car. So we parked it, with stones under the wheels, took our stuff and started walking. And then it started raining.
If any one of us ever hated the idea of asking for a lift, now was the time to get over it. Off went Gayatri and Rahul in the first car that was nice enough to offer us a ride, leaving Raghav and I to chat about..umm..weather. So we trudged along, and as we were walking along the curve of the road, we came across our other three friends! Yes, the same ones who decided to walk, were now sitting on the side of the road, playing Uno!
By this time, Vedang and Meghana had decided to give up on normal human speech and chose to yell at each other instead. Manasi decided to not to interfere and enjoy it.( Proof below )
So, we clicked a few pictures ( Explanation for the above Solo picture ) and were walking again. The next lift carried Raghav, Meghana and me, leaving Manasi and Vedang to deal with each other. When we reached up, we were greeted by a very anxious Rahul and a highly amused Gayatri. Eventually, Manasi and Vedang arrived, in a Sumo full of screaming little kids.
Hungry and tired, we hurried to reach the "zunka bhakar" hut, eating little tidbits like "kakdi" and drinking "sherbet" on the way. Once we reached the hut, we all sat down and first ordered for "dahi". After consuming 3 pots per head, we proceeded with the main course. It started raining soon enough, and the sight outside the small hut was absolutely breath-taking.
After eating, the sky had become overcast and it was now time for us to head down. We rented a jeep, and were soon suffocating with six others crammed in with us. Vedang sat in the front, looking out for Rahul's lone car. The rest of us stuffed ourselves in the back. Albeit being exhausted, never had we had so much fun!
On reaching the foothill, Rahul got in touch with a few friends, a mechanic, and arranged for his car to be repaired or at least towed. Raghav and him waited for help, and the five of us caught a bus. Meghana clambered in first, and then freaked out when she realized we might be left behind. This time, the conductor was a friendly, no issues guy, who let us all sit together. I sat behind Vedang, and amused myself by hitting him on the head or pulling his hair. Whatever bugged him more. :D
We reached home, with aching limbs. As we hugged and said good-byes, we were already planning our next weekend get away.
