Are you breathing?

Sarchu:

This place is located in south of zanskar range of Himalayas and average altitude there is 4.5 K meters (not as much as other places in ladakh). But the thing which makes it a bit scary is, in this area Trees and greenery is too less which results in very low oxygen level. In addition to this, in most of this area you will find campsites and no permanent electricity source.

By the time we reached our camps, it was almost 10:30 PM. Nights in the mountains are so beautiful if you are comfortably reached to your destination sitting beside your camp fire, but it is equally scary if you are on your bike in complete darkness on slippery roads finding your camps.

It was very cold and we were too tired to have dinner. Once we reached our camps we came to know that generator isn't working, thus no lights. I wasn't in the mood of thinking about electricity at that time and went directly to the bed. Even my biking gears and boots were still on.

I fell on my bed(which was arranged by group who arrived earlier - so comfortable for the instance). After some 5 minutes I started feeling suffocation. Like you are not breathing. It was not very good signal for me and frightened me. I tried to breath even harder, it did not help. It was like you are trying to suck every single particle of air through your wide open mouth.

Although there must be some air (of course less oxygened) was going in my lungs, but It felt void inside. My throat went dried and I started sweating heavily.

It was complete dark everywhere and I was too helpless to go there and find the camp where doctor was sleeping or Oxygen cylinder. All I could do was just removed my jacket, shirt, sweat shirt and other layers from my upper body and again fell on the bed. Had just given up.

I Don’t know for how much time I was like that but when I got in my sense, was shirtless such freezing temperature, went below zero degree already.

Immediately went to my brother to check if he is okay or not. He was sleeping, hit him hard on his back and wake him up.

“what the hell is wrong with you” my brother

“are you breathing ?” me

“what !! m I breathing ?!! No. I did it two days ago, forgot to continue” slept in irritation

I WAS IN GREAT RELIEF hearing his angry sarcastic comment !!!

The Presentation Day

“Neha, presentation is tomorrow. Sharp at 9”

“But sir!! It was in next week. How come it…”

“Sharp at 9, Don't be late” he walked away.

Now Neha was in serious trouble and not a single option left. She started her endless research.

Worked. As hard as possible. Even beyond it.

Skipped lunch and a tea too.

Unfortunately she left charger at home she realized it while she tried to put her almost dead phone in charging.

It was late now but she didn't finish yet, so she decided to take her laptop with her and work at home. She get in her car, she was still working on her laptop.

… It was too late now, she didn't reach home. Frightened her mom called at office and came to know that she left like years ago!! She called almost everybody she thought she should call and none of the call actually helped.

Day changed; down then morning 8:30–45 she wasn't office yet. Boss really got furious, called her dead phone. It was 9 already and all foreign parties were set in conference. She was the only absent. 9:30..45..10:00.

.. a heavy tap on the windshield made her spring jump. She noticed her surroundings, still in her car!! In company's parking lot. Oh gosh what's time now!! Shit 10:00.

she worked entire night in the car and fell asleep in early morning. In all hurry Went up in office, got fired already.

Disappointed. Started her car for home, didn't start. Battery went down.

What a day!!! Stepped out “Auto..!” She, loud enough.