I came to Yuksom looking for solitude. What I found instead… was her. It started with a trek to an old, abandoned structure behind Dubdi Monastery. Locals didn’t talk about it, but it showed up on no tourist map. Cracked stones, moss-covered walls, and prayer flags that hadn’t fluttered in years. And inside that ruin—was a mirror. Oddly preserved. No dust. No cracks. Just there..as if, it was just kept or forgotten by someone.. a hiker maybe. At first, I laughed. A mirror in the middle of nowhere? But when I looked in, my smile dropped. The reflection wasn’t mine. The girl staring back had my eyes—but not my face. She was younger, thinner, her hair braided in a style I had never worn. She wore an old-school chuba, like a girl out of time. I stepped back. So did she—but a second too late. That’s when I knew: she wasn’t copying me. She was watching. Frozen, I stared, heart hammering. Then—she lifted her hand slowly and traced a symbol on her chest. A Tibetan letter? A curse? I don't...
In the spring of 2022, I led a trekking adventure to Tinjurey in East Sikkim with 22 of my teenage students. Known for its breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, Tinjurey is located about 15 kilometers from Gangtok. Our three-hour uphill trek took us past whispering springs, aged trees, rustic bridges, towering bamboo groves, pine forests, and the intoxicating scent of orchids, rhododendrons, and wild berries. Our journey began with a gathering at my home. The children arrived at 8 a.m. dressed in hiking-appropriate clothes and backpacks filled with dry snacks and flasks of hot tea. We had hired a private minibus to reach Fambongla Wildlife Sanctuary, the nearest motorable point to Tinjurey. After a group prayer for safe travels, we boarded the bus. The students were visibly excited to hike and witness the majestic Kanchenjunga. Prior to the trip, I had read and heard several accounts from locals and trekkers about Yeti sightings in the dense forests of Tinj...
As the saying goes, “When all doors close, another door opens.” But what if—on opening that door—you find nothing but a plain black wall staring back at you? What if the door that was promised to bring hope, light, and freedom turns out to be just an illusion—built upon a flat, cold, concrete wall that leads nowhere? I was once told that through that beautifully carved door, I would glimpse the world’s marvels—the golden rays of the sun, the silver glow of the moon, the shimmer of the stars. That I would meet people who would know me, love me, and share my laughter. I was promised a view filled with beauty, joy, and warmth. But when I finally opened it, all I saw was darkness. No light. No view. No promise fulfilled. Just a plain black wall. That’s when I realized—it was never a door. It was a mirage. A beautifully crafted illusion meant to deceive the longing heart. Life, at times, closes all the doors and offers us what looks like a new opening—tempting, charming, and full of hope. B...
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