The next morning Dr.Arvik Shah is very excited, as he is going to put an end to all the confusions in his mind.
Dr.Manvi has booked the tickets of afternoon 3.00 pm.
Dr.Shah has his lunch with Dr.Aafreen and Dr.Manvi . They drop him to the Airport. Dr.Shah waves them goodbye, and boards the plane.
It is just one and half hour journey from Delhi to Srinagar. As the flight enters the borders of Kashmir, the Air hostess instructs the passengers to look through the windows.
Dr.Shah looks through the window, and witness the mesmerizing heaven. He finds the hot burning sun of Delhi has turned cold and is casting his mild rays upon the beautiful green mountains, sprinkled with snow. The wavy white clouds were gently covering the mountains as the rivers calmy flow through the valleys.
The plane lands in Srinagar at 4.45pm.
As Dr.Shah gets out of the airport, he starts shivering due to cold. He wears his warm overcoat and comes out of the airport and finds Dr.Gaurav waiting for him.
Dr.Gaurav is Dr.Arvik Shah's college friend and is now working in the department of General Medicine, SKIMS hospital Srinagar. Dr.Shah has informed Dr.Gaurav regarding his sudden trip to Kashmir, but has not mentioned the reason for his visit.
Dr.Gaurav embraces Dr.Shah
Dr.Gaurav: "Welcome to Srinagar Shah. I'm so happy to meet you after a long time."
Dr.Shah: "the feeling is mutual Gaurav. How are you?"
Dr.Gaurav: " I'm fine Shah, you must be tired. Lets go to hotel, get fresh and then speak. And yes! I have a surprise for you!"
Dr.Shah: "I love Surprises! Lets go."
As they drive through the roads of Srinagar, Dr.Shah starts keenly observing the place. He is fascinated by the Pheran outfit. The two-lane roads with flower plants planted at the divider, small and big shops with many tourist customers. The Green grass, huge tress, blue Jhelum river, mild smell of Noon chai and clear sunset sky made the city look more beautiful.
Dr.Gaurav took Dr.Shah to Dal Lake, where he has booked a Firdous houseboat hotel for his friend.
Dr.Shah stands mesmerized seeing the elegant Dal lake. The clear water, the gentle clouds slowly masking the surrounding mountains, the orange purple sky of the dusk, the setting sun, whose rays fell on the water making it reflect the splendid sky and the charming decorated Shikara boats floating in the lake made the view splendid.
Dr.Gaurav and Dr.Shah hire a Shikara. They take a glimpse of the holy Shankaracharya temple, the Hazrat Bal mosque, the serene Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal, Chashme Shahi and reach the houseboat that Dr. Gaurav has booked.
The owner of the houseboat welcomes them with hot Kahwah, made by boiling green tea leaves with local saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, Kashmiri roses and garnished with honey and crushed walnuts. Dr.Shah gets fresh and both friends sit for dinner.
Cold evening, heavenly view...!
Both the friends chat as they enjoy the graceful Dal lake shinning with the lights of floating houseboats.
They are served with traditional Wazwan food. The mouthwatering wazwan has 7 to 35 dishes. It starts with Gosht yakhni soup, continued by Rogan josh, Haakh, Phari fish, Zafrani paneer, Kashmiri rajma, palav, doon chetin, Gushtaba and the appetizing Phirni. Both friends enjoy the flavorous Wazwan food.
Dr.Gaurav: "Shah…! I never knew you and Manvi dated secretly in the college, I was shocked when you guys announced your engagement! By the way, why didn't you bring Manvi along with you? Bachelor trip, is it?"
Dr.Arvik Shah becomes serious all of a sudden and explain the true reason behind his visit to Srinagar.
He shows Dr.Gavrav the adoption papers and the locket.
Dr.Gaurav in a empathising tone: "Shah..! I can understand the situation you are going through. Luckily this Jhelum Valley Medical College, from where you were adopted back in 1993, is the same hospital where I'm working. Its called SKIMS now."
Dr.Shah: "oh..! that's great."
Dr.Gaurav: "Tomorrow morning be ready by 7.30. I hope tomorrow we find the answers to all your questions. "
Dr.Shah: "I hope for the same my friend."
After a good conversation Dr.Gaurav takes leave. Dr.Shah rests in his warm bed in the house boat, eagerly awaiting the dawn.