Chapter 1
She fixed the rope around her body tightly and made sure that everything is there in her back pack. Now she was all set to repeat her victory. But she forgot that some things won't happen twice in the same way...
***(@)***
She was setting up her climbing gear when a staff came with news that principal wanted to see her immediately. With a little bit disappointment and a lot of curiosity, she untied the rope and headed towards principal's rom.
By the time she reached the college, she saw some vehicles parked in the campus.
"It's soo strange. I have never seen these vehicles here before" She thought to herself.
Without wasting much time, she entered into principal's room.
In the room, other than principal there were two more people. One was a middle aged man with a beard. Other one was a young man. She found him to be quite handsome.
"Oh Zoya! Come on in."
Principal's exclamation drew others' attention towards her. Even though she felt a little bit odd, she managed to greet everybody.
Principal: "Well... Zoya... I have called you to assign a task"
She looked at the principal skeptically.
Princi: "Meet Mr.Rashid and Mr.Asad, the award winning film makers".
Principal introduced her to everybody and continued.
"Zoya, they need your help. They are in the process of making another film. It's theme is related to history"
Principal stopped for a moment and looked at Zoya. She was listening to him with widened eyes.
Zoya: "Sir, I understand that these people over here want to make a film related to history. But I don't understand where I fit in this whole scenario"
Everybody smiled. This time Asad gave the reply.
"Miss Zoya, I hope you are aware about the significance of Darjeeling and the other parts of Himalaya in the history of India"
Zoya nodded her head. Asad continued
"Well, my new film is based on this theme. It's about a shepherd who revealed to the world about the wisdom contained in Himalayas. This film will be purely shooting in Himalayan region. As this region is in high altitude, we need a best mountaineer who is familiar with the place and who can guide us. So we came here and your principal proposed your name"
Zoya looked at principal.
"Sir, I am happy that you have considered my name. But I think I am not eligible for this. They want a person who is familiar with the place. But I don't know much about Himalayan region. So how can I do this?"
"My little girl, it's true that you don't know all the places over here. But I have seen your talent. You know more about jungles and mountains than anyone in this institute. These people over here want the best one and according to me you are the best I can offer at present"
"Sir, it's soo nice of you. But I..."
Zoya hesitated.
Asad: "Zoya, this is your destiny. Don't run away from it. I am sure this film is gonna be a landmark in the film history. We can't do this without your help... So tell me, are you in?"
Zoya was in a dilemma. After a few moments thought she nodded her head as approval.
Asad: "Great... Welcome to the team. We should leave by today evening. So be ready, ok?"
Zoya: "Double Okay"
At that moment, even though she knew that she is going to make history, she was not knowing that her entire life was going to change because of her one "YES"...
***(@)***
It was near Chaurikhang where they camped that day. Their camping place was surrounded by thick forest. That was a usual camping spot to Kanjenjunga, Zoya recalled. She felt a chilling sensation around her body. She realized that mist had come. Mist is the frequent visitor in high altitude places like Darjeeling. When it'll come, you can't predict. She tried to look towards the forest through mist. The forest seemed to look like it has some dark secrets hidden inside and it doesn't want to reveal it. What if this forest suddenly awake and with its long branches come and catch us? Oh God!
Zoya hit her head and let herself out from the day dream. She laughed by thinking about her stupidity. She turned her attention to the camp to see what others are doing. Some were setting up the tent and some others were arranging the food. Asad and Rashid were leaning over a paper which appeared like a map to Zoya. As she went near to them, she found her assumption to be correct. It was indeed a map. But a kind of a map which she never seen before.
The sound that her shoes made in the dry leaves diverted Asad's and Rrashid's attention from the map to her. Their faces became pale in colour. Without wasting a further second, rashid folded the map and put in his backpack. He was doing it in very hurry that Zoya afraid he might tear it. But nothing happened.
She stood there perplexed with the sudden behavioral changes in the two men in front of her. They were putting a weak smile in front of her.
"Why they were in a jiffy to hide that map from me? What's in that map after all? By the way, I've never seen such a tourist map in my life. May be it is specially made for shooting purpose. But still... why they want to hide it from me? Whatever may be the reason, I have to find it & I'll do it".
With a lot of questions and resolutions in her head she moved towards the tent that had put up for her.
Asad and Rashid sighed at the sight of Zoya leaving them.
Asad: Do you think that she has doubt on us?"
Rashid: "I don't think. I am sure that she doubts us. She is one hell of a girl"
Asad: "So what do we do now?"
Rashid: "Nothing, just have to watch her every movement. Keep the map safe. We can't risk of losing it again"
He paused for a second. Then he added.
"Asad, I can see a bright aura around that girl. I have never seen such an aura around anybody. An aura which'll attract people, like firefly to the fire. Keep a distance from her. Don't get distracted because of her"
Asad nodded his head in disapproval.
Asad: "Rashid, what the nonsense are you telling? An aura which will attract everybody is around her? Well... I guess this time you are wrong. Can't you see? She is just all alone. She is already 24 years old and I don't think that she was in love before. If this so called aura' thing is true, she shouldn't have been here. She should have been in some posh city dating some random men. But unfortunately she is not. She is here with us. She is just a normal girl with a lot of dreams. And ... I personally feel that she is not meant to be a part of our game"
Asad blurted out all these in one breath. Rashid just smiled at this sudden outburst.
Rashid: "I underestimated her. She has a brighter aura than I expected. I can see that she has already started affecting you"
Asad opened his mouth to defend him. But Rashid stopped him.
Rashid: "Let me remind you one thing Asad. Every living being have aura around them. It is clearly visible in some people's case but for some others, it's not. Zoya falls under the second category. Only trained eyes can make out her aura. And I am sure that there are a lot of people who got attracted to her. But I guess she doesn't want to reciprocate to such people. She is such a person who wants to live in her own nutshell. Poor girl... she doesn't know what she is up to..."
Rashid stopped and before Asad could tell anything, he just walked from there and move towards the forest. He just disappeared into the thick woods.
Asad sighed. His eyes started searching for Zoya. There she was, sitting near the campfire with a book in her hand. Her eyes were fixed in the fire. For a moment, she was looking like a beautiful masterpiece of an artist.
"I wish I could free you from this Zoya... Alas! My hands are tied. I think... You and me are destined for this. Though not willingly, but it's written in our destiny. I hope you'll be out of this safely"
PS: tada...Now time for your comments.😳 tell me whether i should continue or not😳 i know i am a stupid to come up with the weirdest of ideas😆 but still, a little love from your side will cool down my overworking brain😉
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