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We got off the bus and started walking. I just couldn’t figure out where we were going. Rohan was quietly walking. I stopped and gave him a curious look,
“Rohan will you now tell me which place is this?” I was furious now.

He stopped and pointed his finger towards a lake, “That is Lake Pichola. One of the best place to be in Udaipur.”

I turned around to have a look, it was breathtaking, “This is amazing Rohan. Spectacular.” I had no words to describe it.

Pichola Lake is enveloped by lofty palaces, temples, bathing ghats and elevated hills on all its sides.

Rohan started telling me about the lake, “You know right now this place is looking so calm and serene, but this place takes on a whole new character depending on the time of the day.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“What I mean to say is that, at day time the lake and palaces around are very quiet, but as night creeps in, all the palaces around the lake light up and illuminate the lake ” he explained.

“Wow! That would be a spectacular view. But it’s still 2 hours to go. And we can’t wait for so long. Well I will see that some other day.” I said in a depressing tone.

“Let’s explore that today. Let’s go for a boat Ride. You’ll enjoy that.” said Rohan pulling me towards the ghats.

Within a few minutes we were sitting in the boat.

A boat Ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola was like a dream come true.

I always love boat rides but this was a special one. I was soaking in the moment and the beautiful sights, from huge trees to small temples every moment was something new to embrace. I started humming my favorite song and suddenly heard Rohan playing his guitar on that tune. I stopped and looked at him.

“Come on! Sing. I’ll play the guitar.” He said excitedly.

I couldn’t oppose. I started singing and Rohan started playing his guitar. In the beginning I hesitated but then I came in full mood and Sung without caring about the helmsman of the boat. The experience took me on cloud nine. I was stunned that for the first time, I didn’t care about people around me and did what I wanted to do. I looked towards the sky. The sun was about to set and I could see lights everywhere. It was and awe- imposing spectacle. Our ride came to an end and we were back on the ghats.

“So, how was your experience?” asked Rohan.

“Amazing. This was beyond my imagination. I mean this is the best day of my life so far.”

“Best day of your life… I mean of your entire 17 years you never had a memorable day. You must be kidding”. Said Rohan in amazement.

“Not that I don’t have memorable days to remember… I do have. But this was different, because today I felt like a free bird. Who could fly anywhere and do anything which gives pleasure without thinking of others.” I said.

“You sing so well. Why did you hide this quality of yours? Don’t hide your qualities Ishika. Place them in front of everyone. Qualities are to be shown not to be hidden.” Rohan said philosophically.

“You know, sometimes I feel you can really read mind. You knew I wanted to sing and you encourage me by playing guitar, so that I could come out of my inhibitions, didn’t you? I questioned.

“You have started understanding me quite deeply, that dangerous.” He laughed.

“Okay! So tell me your wish list”. He said while walking towards the bus stand.

“Wish list? I don’t have any wish list.” I replied quickly.

“You have it. I know. Come on! Quickly tell me. Okay, at least tell me one wish you want to do. Come on, or else I will call you Ishq in front of everyone.” he teased me.

“Dare you do that Rohan. I’ll not talk to you for the rest of my life.” I exploded in anger.

“Don’t say that ever Ishika” he said while pulling me towards him. “Life is too short. Don’t ever say this.” he got angry.

“You don’t want to tell that’s completely fine. I won’t ask you again.” He said while walking towards the bus stand.

For a moment I was stunned at what had happened. Then I came back to my senses and ran towards him.

“Hey! Rohan! Wait. Stop please.” I yelled while grasping for breath.

“Look, I am sorry if I have hurt you. I was just teasing you. I never meant that.” I said apologizing for my behavior.

“So, tell me your wish list.” Said Rohan, smiling at me as if he had won the battle.

I felt like kicking him but couldn’t.

“I….I ….want to ….go…to a bar once…” I said in a hesitated tone. “I even planned that with my Delhi friends. But that planning is…..all in vain now. I am in Udaipur not in Delhi.” I said with a sigh.

Rohan started laughing loudly. I stood there watching him. He was laughing as if I have delivered a joke in front of him.

“Stop it Rohan. What’s making you laugh? Have I cracked a joke?” I asked annoyingly.

“I am sorry.” He said, still controlling his laughter. “Going to a bar? Can this be someone’s wish list? Oh! My god! I didn’t expect this from you Ishika! “He was still laughing.

“Why can’t this be a wish? You boys have all the freedom to go out and enjoy. But we girls can’t go out like you boys and enjoy? And what’s wrong in wanting to see a life in a bar. I have always seen in movies but that’s not real.” I said angrily.

“Okay! Come with me! Let’s go” said Rohan.

“But ….Hello! Where? It’s time to go home.” I answered quickly.

“Just half an hour more. Believe me. You’ll enjoy it.” He said while walking.
I followed him but where I had no clue. But today I was loving the idea of following him.

In another 15 minutes we were standing in front of The Wino- a popular restaurant bar of Udaipur.

“Ishika, this is one of the best places in Udaipur to unwind and relax after a hectic day.” Rohan assured.

“Rohan ….. Do you really think we should go in? I mean it’s just wish and I have realized that it’s really a stupid wish. I think we should go back.” I begged.

“Wow! You realized that quite soon. And what about the freedom of wanting to see a bar life and why can’t girls have fun and all that lecture you gave me a few minutes back. All Gone with the wind.” he mimicked my words. “But…. okay!
Fine!” I said stamping my foot.” Let’s go”. I said.

We went inside the bar. The Bar had a very relaxing and refreshing ambience.
Rohan whispered in my ears, “Well they serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. What would you like to have?” He said while selecting a place to sit.

“Of course, non-alcoholic!” I said without even thinking once.

He ordered some fresh organic fruit juice with starter.

“So did you like to place?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s a happening place I must say. It’s a perfect place to be.” I said acknowledging the place. “How many times have you come here?” I inquired.

“Not even once.” said Rohan with a smile.

“What? Not even once? But you were describing this place as if you have been here often”. I asked in surprise.

Rohan laughed loudly and said controlling his laughter, “Actually I had never explored this before. So when you told me about your wish I thought it is not a bad idea. Once-in-a-lifetime one should visit such place.” he said smiling.
Our fresh organic juice and starter were in front of us. We started with the starter. Rohan was not ready to eat at first, but I forced him saying if he won’t eat then I will also not eat. He obliged and started eating.

“Were you born and brought up in Udaipur?” I asked, trying to know more about him.

“No, I was born in Bangalore. I did most of my schooling that is till 10th from Bangalore. Then dad shifted his business here and we came here. You know Ishika, I went with the same feeling as you did. Leaving Bangalore, my school and my friends was not easy for me. It took me almost 2-3 years to settle down here. Then I realized that we should not get stuck to one place or person, thinking that nothing can replace them. Life is all about exploring. You know we seldom do what we believe in. We do what is convenient to us and then repent. The best person is the one who makes the best out of the way things turn out. The, I tried to change myself. Made new friends, shed off the inhibitions I was carrying inside me and welcomed life with open arms.” he concluded.

I was quietly listening to him. When he finished, I was looking at him, wondering, that in all these months, I never saw this side of his personality before.

He then asked, “Now you understand, why I read your mind? Because I was in the same situation. I am not a fortune reader.” he stated with confidence.

“You are right Rohan. I just wanted to hold on to my past. My old friends and my old city. Didn’t even try to move on and explore new avenues.” I said feeling grieved.

“Life is not over yet”. He said looking at me and continued, “And I think you have started changing yourself!” he said while uplifting his collars.

“Hey you! Stop taking the credit.” I answered with a smile.

Suddenly we heard someone calling Rohan from behind. Rohan turned and smiled at that fellow and then introduced him to me “Ishika, this is Aditya. He lives near my house. And Aditya, this is Ishika, my college friend.” said Rohan.

“So you guys are out on a date?” Teased Aditya. “Shut up Adi! We are Just friends. Came here to spend some time.” Revealed Rohan.

“Alright, I was just kidding. You carry on. I need to catch up with some of my friends so, see you Rohan! Bye!” Said Aditya and departed from there.

“Let’s go now Ishika, or else you’ll get late” said Rohan getting up from the chair.

“Late! I am already too late! What will I tell mom? All because of you. Now you have to do something.” I said angrily.

‘Tell the truth to your mom” he said laughing.

“I can’t, as I have already told her that I am out with my ‘friends’.” I said in a taunting tone.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen. In fact your mother will be happy to see you happy after a long time. I think she understands your pain. It’s just that she is not getting enough time to spend with you and get you out of this situation. But now seeing that you have accepted this city, your college, and made new friends will give her a sort of relief.” he advised.

“You really are a fortune teller. Jai ho Rohan Babaji! “I laughed.

Rohan left me till my residential colony Gate and went back.

Again I kept looking at him but he didn’t even turned once.

I went inside my house and to my surprise Rohan was right. Although mom sarcastically showed me the time but didn’t scold me. I apologize for being late and went inside my room.

Today I got to know another side of Rohan. A serious philosophical side, which I never saw before. How easily he explain me the Mantra of life – to move forward, accepting every challenge in life with a smile. Today, I am able to look at life in a new light. And this light has been spread by him. I am thankful to him. Tomorrow I will certainly say a big thanks to him. Thinking all this, I went off to sleep peacefully after a long time.

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Cover Image by Leonardo De la Hoz Borrego 

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Chapter 4 ‘Knowing the Unknown‘ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 5 ⬇️⬇️