An autumn night in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. A bus makes it way from a quaint little town to another – downhill. Easy going ride. Large windows, open, the breeze in her face and hair. A bag on the seat, a camera inside. It’s dark, the bus’ headlights the only light on the road, helped by the dim light of a beautiful half crescent moon. Screeech!!! A shout in unison.

She jumps up, but it’s not…! Strong, manly – his eyes glowing like green marbles as the headlights focus on him. She’s transfixed. “Should I or should I not,” she thinks as her hand reaches out for her bag. But there’s no moving. She stands as a statue. The only one making the moves is him. He walks towards the bus. Then, towards her!

He comes below her window and stops. It’s open, he’s just a jump away. Who’ll take the plunge? She’s mesmerised by his walk, his gait, his gaze. “C’mon! Make a move,” she tells herself. But there’s nothing! They look at each other for what seems like eternity. Then he looks away as if to say ‘I can’t’ and walks into the dark.

No words exchanged, just a glance that haunts her even now. A glance that stole her heart. “What if I had taken the plunge.” Twenty years on, the question remains unanswered!