That Chance

Hey readers, so here again with another train of thoughts which I somewhere succeeded in making into something understandable and maybe meaningful as well. First of all, thanks for landing on this page; I am too grateful for it and hope you read it till the end.

21st Jan 2026, somewhere around 7:00 while jogging in the nearby forest with my train tickets to Ranikhet already booked, I thought maybe a little more this time. Maybe a trek—my first trek. It’s going to be my first solo trip, so why not a trek! I looked across all the possible options under my small budget (that I earned by volunteering for a publication in the latest book fair) and found it: Dayara Bugyal! It surely wasn’t the best of options available, but remembering an Instagram reel I saw six months ago of this venue was the reason I went for a trek over a normal visit to Kainchi Dham. After a very quick yet thorough search, I booked my trek package, got the rucksack, munchies, borrowed trekking shoes, and a ticket to Dehradun—departing in two hours.

Yes, convincing parents for a solo trek was quite tough, but they can’t do much once you have already boarded the train right? White Nights in hand, a lot of excitement, and already the peace of doing it on my own. It was a beautiful winter night to reach Dehradun, and just 10 hours more to start my way to the base village (Raithal). Roaming around in that beautiful city and having dinner helped the initial couple of hours pass quite well, and the railway station wasn’t too bad to spend the night in. I woke up with a lot of butterflies,though bothered a friend with loads of voice notes, but then it was time. I went to the assembling point, placed the bag in the traveller’s trunk, successfully grabbed a window seat, and it began.

WOW! the very feeling I had the whole route, passing through countless mountains and reaching Raithal. I reached by evening, visited the village temple, and met the group of 13 random people I’ll be trekking along with. Most had experience with 5–6 treks and the second youngest was 26, I surely got some extra boost doing this at 19. The only common thing the 13 of us shared was the wish to see snow tomorrow, which Google forecasted, but with low chances. First solo trip, first trek, and I was just wishing it to be my first snow tomorrow. We had a small jamming session post-dinner before bedtime and a joint wish for snow.

23rd Jan, waking up to the news of the trek being cancelled because of a snowstorm at the higher altitude and a government notice of no trekking for the next two days. Boom! Well, this was some great heartbreak, synonymous with the one I had two days ago. Things spoiling after that great excitement and manifestation! No, this can’t be my fate’s and my will’s way. Being helpless against government regulations, village exploration was the only option for that day. While getting ready to go see more of the village, I heard a fellow saying “snowflakes.” How could I miss this! I went outside, a powerful gust blew, and I saw 4–5 micro-snowflakes on my jacket. I must tell you, the kid who has always wished for snow since childhood was already feeling accomplishment with just four micro-flakes.

Though that was it, I went to see the village through the step farms. The wind was strong the whole time, but guess what? Snow! And not just flakes real, lots of snow. I am as happy writing it down as I was when I saw my first snowfall. I know this blog will get too stretched, but I can’t help it because I am feeling that again now, writing this. It was 25th December 2012 when I was six and rushed to my balcony hoping to see snow and even hop on it from my balcony but well, it doesn’t snow in the East, and I was quite sad by it, but I promised myself I’ll see it one day. It was the day, 23rd January!

After that heavenly experience, I went back to the stay to find out that we were going to another base village of Dayara Bugyal called Barsu village, just to see some more snow with no hopes of trekking tomorrow by that official circular. On the way to Barsu, our vehicle had to stop because snow covered the road, and we did a small 3km trek-like thing to reach there. The day passed, and by dinner, all 13 agreed on at least attempting to go as far as we can on the trekking route.

Jan 24th, Breakfast, and we left for it. Yes, it is actually a 3-day trek but somewhat possible in one, but we didn’t carry more than 2 litres of water and obviously no gear because we just had the halfway mark in our minds. Before we left, I met a dog in the village and named him Kaali, and just like another Pahadi bhootiya, he accompanied me on the trek. Unlike I somewhere wanted to reach the summit, which made me trek up fast and soon I was all alone in my eye view. Well, I saw a chance and I took it.

WITH KAALI

After hours of trekking in snow as dense as my knees and eating snow to stay hydrated, I did it! Yes, I reached the summit along with Kaali. Seeing all that snow, tall trees, a frozen lake, and footsteps of some creature which scared the hell out of me, I reached there. Alone I did it. My first trek! Doing it all on my own made me so proud of myself and the 6 years old kid who dreamt of snow.

But what made me even happier was seeing myself taking that chance. Even if I would have failed, I wouldn’t be any less happy because I TOOK MY CHANCE, and that’s what really matters. The only New Year resolution I ever took was that I’ll take chances now without hesitation not just for this year, but for the rest I have in this lifetime. Be it talking to people passionately about books in a book fair, burying my introvert part, or going on that trek and many small ones, it has been the best feeling.And It doesn’t feel good just because I have succeeded with my chances. I have fumbled badly and failed in a very important one as well, but at least I am not here with regrets. No regrets is enough to be happy.

I read it on Instagram: “Live as if you’re dying, cause you’re,” and it was just too relatable.

 Take that chance because that’s what really matters.

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Just a small memory 

While I was on the way to Raithal with my head half out of my window, somewhere in those mountains, I saw two local ladies having guavas a little far from the road. Because I was at the peak of my happiness, I smiled, and that lovely aunty smiled back with the warmest smile.

 This was my favorite moment from this trip and one of my top favorites in life.

Now that you leave

 Smile! Life is more beautiful with it.