The first time I decided to take a road trip, alone. It lead to an experience of a lifetime.

I set the clock upright facing me, the glow in the dark dial blurring my vision. The time blinked, 3 a.m. The world around me was asleep, slumber deserted me. The date on the calendar was 25th of February, in three days, I would be twenty five. The blur deepened. My mind felt numb, almost useless. i sunk deeper into the void that engulfed me. My life had become boring and I had become a slave, a slave to being uninspired. The shimmering gold of my dreams had become a sheer pale golden yellow. The glitter, faded.
My backpack buried under layers of dust looked as bored as I felt. Pulling it out, I breathed in the dust and it liberated me. A road trip. Alone. My plans for my twenty fifth birthday seemed clear to me in that moment.
The travel agent looked at me with disdain, bus bookings and hotel reservations, for one? Yes, my mind screamed at the condescending woman in front of me, but my face was fixed in a smile. Ticket in my hand, I hurried back home and packed my backpack with bare essentials, two sweaters, three pairs of socks, a map of South India, paper soap, a few medicines and a wad of cash. All I needed for this trip was some courage, a little fear and whole lot of enthusiasm. 9 a.m.
The bus was delayed and my mother patiently waited with me while placing a bottle of water and a few packets of chips inside my already full backpack. She wasn’t happy with my decision but she made no noise. She accepted the traveler in me, which is something few mothers do, so I thanked her. Planting a kiss on her cheeks, I boarded the bus. A sleeper, with barely enough room for me to stretch my legs, but I was happy.
I drank a warm cup of tea and allowed the crisp air to sink in. Freedom and liberation are overly abused terms, if you need to advertise it, it doesn’t exist in your periphery. 12 p.m.
The bus to Kodaikannal was purple with bold stripes of yellow. The colour of freedom? 6 p.m.
The elevated peaks and uninhibited mountain welcomed me, with open arms and a promise of adventure.9 a.m.
My backpack had begun to feel lighter. I started my lone trek up the winding roads of the mountain. Stopping to play with the monkeys and inhale the clean air, I meandered deeper into the forest until I reached a lake. A lake of indescribable beauty. It was quiet with the occasional cackling of a bird, mountains on either side and a forest in front of me. The clear blue sky jaded with mist. The sound of nature. 28th February 12 p.m.