After our four unsuccessful plans, fortunately our fifth plan got successful when ovais visited us and yes at last Shian , got convenience . Anish bhatt was ready a week ago , so was i . Anish , Shian and i would usually travel together from our university to Jammu on every weekend . During the lockdown we met at least thrice in Srinagar at the Bandh . 

But this trip we were having was different one , firstly we were going to stay in Pahalgham for two nights , ample time to enjoy and secondly we didn't have any issues in waking up late in the morning as was the case in our hostel due to the recapitulation of the day’s lessons but here we were having full freedom to enjoy to our fill. Simply we would relish the taste to the fullest. , and Shian was with us , so nothing was insuperable.
It was Friday and weather was absolutely fine , i left for Srinagar . Shian and Ovais were waiting eagerly , sitting on a bench at the clock tower. On seeing me at some distance , both smiled , shian in utmost excitement hugged me and took a selfie with his mouth wide open. Meanwhile Anish Bhat joined us and we boarded a local cab to Anatnag . The driver was a cool guy.
We reached bus stand Anatnag at 4 0 clock . Now we had to board another cab to Pahalgham , ready to leave. It took us 45 minutes to reach our destination . The music going on in the cab corresponding with the surrounding scenery of the road gave us a preface of out approaching atmosphere. We felt as every Chinar tree along the roadside welcomed us with its red leaves shedding down making the ground velvety.
"Aaj mausam bada bae iemaan ha
Aany waala koi tufaan ha ..."
We reached Pahalgham at twilight and booked a room in a local hotel.
We were tired, exhausted , changed our clothes , put jackets etc but despite all this our excitement forced us to leave the room and watch the scenery of the valley in moonlight . We returned only at midnight after traversing a good distance on foot . Then we had our dinner followed by our favourite noon chai.
The thing we enjoyed the most was when we all slept on a single bed , Shian was happy about it , ovais felt uncomfortable . Anish and i usually enjoy such moments. After all we are having our university days and such days don't come back , so one should enjoy this period lest it slips away.
It was around 9 in the morning when we had our breakfast , a light one , ovais was still feeling hungry , i was done with it , so were the other two guys , Shian and Anish.
Now we were heading towards the famous resort of Pahalgham , Betaab valley , a place which we had planned to visit at the start of the trip mainly being lured by the very name of it .
Betaab valley had made us really " Betaab " .
Betaab valley is really a place worth visiting , one gets lost in its beauty , Lush green valley with breath taking scenic beauty attracts the inner soul .One is forced to utter the famous Persian verse:
" Agar firdous ba roey zameen ast ,Hamee asto Hamee asto Hamee asto"
The mountain peaks shrouded with clouds gives a peep into the presence of nature beyond it which produces an ecstatic feeling .
The lidder river with its striding waters over the rocks makes it to the downward in a serpentine manner . Its waters producing a sonorous sound with a continuous hish of the blowing breeze makes a sort of dreamy atmosphere in the valley removing all thoughts of the world beyond.
We had a shoot there in the valley and every photo seems photo shopped as the background is simply awesome .
Literally speaking i was not in a mood to leave the paradise like valley but i was helpless Infront of the other three guys who were receiving incessant phone calls from their parents to return
We were back to Pahalgham when sun was about to set . We had been relieved of the tensions and mental disquieted caused by the horrendous pandemic and the subsequent lockdown which had brought the whole life to a grinding halt . It was clear to us that such trips to the beauteous sites was a remedial recipe to cure the mental agony caused by the present day complicated lifestyle. But the responsibility of the powers that be have increased towards these sites as the growing pollution is increasing day by day at an alarming rate and the prime lands in these areas have been grabbed by the greedy elements which is seriously threatening to their very existence.
The traffic was thin on roads as shutdown call had been given as a mark of anger against abrogation of the special status. We found ourselves lucky enough when we found a last Srinagar going cab waiting for passengers , so we boarded and left.
Midway our plan got changed and we decided to stay at my home. Anish was ready but shian first showed some resistance , later on he enjoyed the night stay more than anyone . Though fairly tired we were mentally absorbed in the beauty of Pahalgham and Betaab valley having no interest with the mundane affairs at our home for some time till we were out of the trance and started our daily chores one again .
Nature has been bounteous to the valley but we need to be serious to preserve such gifts awarded by her.

Email:---mirnayyarazam@gmail.com