Chapter 4

We realized that we needed further papers to get our motorbike into Darjeeling, but I couldn't afford to spend any more money or time on it. So we decided to take an alternative route and travel straight to Ilam. Words cannot express the overwhelming beauty of Kanyam; it was simply breathtaking. When we arrived, the sky was clear, but it was quickly clouded by heavy fog and an unexpected rainfall. We seek shelter from the rain in a little tea store. Meeting new people always leads to new unheard stories, hence the tea shop owner shared his interesting story of Mahashivaratri how, after taking bhang, he became completely lost in a haze for about six months. After regaining his senses, he determined to change his life, starting the tea stall where we were currently sitting and supporting his family through hard labor. Though the tea lacked flavor, the honesty with which he told his story left an impeccable effect on us. As the rain stopped, we expressed gratitude and resumed our journey.

I see rain from my windowpane,

And some stray dogs behind the dust-a-bin.

I used to wave to my neighbor, but he never replied back,

But those were the only things I held so tight.

I feel both hate and love,

The world seems full of Satan and God,

I guess, it's okay to be a little mad,

If I don't play with death, then life's sad.