JandA finally manage to leave their hotel room and embark on their mission of getting the things Meghna has asked for. They ask for directions to the Dalai Lama's monastery and set off, the majestic mountains forming a picturesque backdrop for their pilgrimage.
The simple beauty of the entrance mesmerizes them. Inside, they are cheerfully shown the way in by cherubic monks. Hand in hand, they walk through the winding lanes that take them to the temple.
A song is played softly in the background:
"Laagi tum se mann ki lagan, lagan laagi tum se mann ki lagan
Gali gali ghoome, dil tujhe dhoonde,
Tere bin tarse nayan….."
There are two temple complexes. JandA enter the first one softly. It is hushed, but the sheer magnificence of the Buddha statues and the frescoes of the Boddhisttavas make them gasp. Not one word are they able to utter as they walk around. Only the song echoes what is in their hearts.
They move to the second complex, where a smiling monk informs them that photography is allowed, and prods Armaan to take as many as possible. This hall is as grand as the first, and when they come out, Jassi grabs Armu's arm excitedly.
"Armaan! Dekho….prayer wheels!"
She is referring to the scores of Buddhist prayer wheels that encircle the hall from outside. Armu looks a bit puzzled. "Yeh sab kya hai?"
Jassi: Armaan, humne iss building ke charon orr ghoomna hai aur saath saath prayer wheels ko turn karte hue jaana hai…..isse hamari sab prayers poori hongi!
Armu: Really? Agar main inse apne liye ek beti maangu, toh milegi?
Jassi: (with mock horror) Yahaan monastery mein? Kaisi baatein kar rahe ho?
Armu: (pouting) Jassi……!!
She giggles and runs towards the wheels, and starts turning them. He follows, gasping at the sheer number, but persevering. Their eyes meet, first laughingly…..then intensely….and after that they are unable to move their gaze. They encircle the entire building locking eyes, brushing their hands against each other's.
When they finish, they find to their consternation that a group of tiny monks is giggling away at the romantic show. Armu signals to them to come over. They giggle a little more, but don't come closer. He pulls out a chocolate from his pocket and gestures again. At last a plump, grinning monk comes shyly over.
Armu: (handing him the chocolate) Dalai Lama yahin hai?
The monk giggles and shakes his head to show he hasn't understood. Armu repeats the same thing in English, but to no avail. Apparently the little monk understands no language but his own. seeing their predicament, the monk who had told Armu to take photos comes over, and informs them that His Holiness is not in the country. Jassi looks disappointed.
He puts his arm around her and shakes her shoulder consolingly. "Never mind Jassi……hum log unki monastery tak aaye, unka aashirwaad toh mil hi gaya na…..aur waise bhi, Dalai Lama se milna koi aasaan baat thodi hi hai….kitne heads of state, leaders aur celebrities unse milte hai….aakhir Armaan aur Jassi Suri koi special toh hai nahi!"
Jassi: (lifting her eyes to his) Ek doosre ke liye toh special hai na!
Armu: (grinning and squeezing her hand) Of course….hamesha ke liye!
Monday: Sight-seeing
