Royally yours

64. Bhadrachalam

Chaitra

As the day rolled in, we all freshened up and had our breakfast before going to the river bank where we were supposed to board the boat. Before boarding the boat, Vadina asked Annayya to get her rose milk and I demanded one for me too. Come on, Rajamundry rose milk is the best.

Annyya shook his head at our excitement to have rose milk but agreed to get one for all of us. While Annayya pulled Hithen with him to get rose milk for all of us, I and Viv enjoyed the serene beauty of River Godavari as the sun shone on the horizon spreading its golden glow, and providing the exact amount of warmth in contrast to the cool and gentle breezes across the river. The birds chirped as they flew in flocks across the river forming a V in the sky. 

I felt two hands going around my waist and soon there was a gentle kiss on my temple as Aksh hugged me from behind with his hands around my waist and his head resting on my shoulder, his beard tickling the place where it touched my body. 

"There are people around, Aksh," I mumbled quietly as blush coated my cheeks.

"No, they have already boarded the boat and went to their rooms. It's just us and this chota packet now," He added the last part in a complaining tone making me laugh. As if understanding he was being targeted, Viv grabbed my face between his little palms and placed a sloppy kiss on my cheek coating them with his saliva.

"Jaan! See his audacity," Aksh whined making Viv giggle. Aksh took out his kerchief and wiped my cheeks gently before kissing both my cheeks and smirking at Viv who wobbled his lower lip, ready to start crying. I quickly placed a kiss on his cheek and he turned to Daksh with a giggle. 

"Kiss me too," Daksh demanded and I couldn't help but awe at the cuteness of my man. I diverted Viv's attention to the boats approaching and placed a quick peck on Daksh's cheek.  We all stayed there enjoying the sunrise until Annayya and Hithu came back with our rose milk. 

We boarded the boat and Daksh was more than happy when Hithu took Viv from my hands. We all had our rose milk and the captain announced the start of the journey after a while and gave us all the required information regarding the trip and safety measures to be followed in case of emergency.

I went to the deck of the boat and enjoyed the serene beauty as the lush green mountains stood proud with the trees spreading across the origin. The river has its own soothing flow and the cool breezes made my hair dance as they caressed my face. The fishermen were pulling out the nets full of fish while the people around enjoyed the scenery with their families. 

I noticed a few people making garlands and went to them. I sat beside an old lady and she passed me a smile before going back to her work. I asked them if I could help and they agreed happily. These garlands are for the deities. I helped them in making the garlands. Then we had our lunch at 12:30. 

After that, all the family members sat together. The elders discussed the arrangements while we all youngsters had fun playing UNO. We reached Papikondalu by 2 P.M. These 3 mountains stood in the middle of the river separating three districts East Godavari, West Godavari, and Khammam. As the boat passed through these mountains we couldn't help but awe at the scenic beauty of nature. 

After that, we reached Perantapalli Tribal Village. There, we visited Ramakrishna Muni Vatika, established by the Late Poojya Swamiji Balananda Saraswathi in 1927. After the darshan of Swayambu Lingakara Sri Veereswa Swamy, we went on a local sightseeing. I dragged the youngsters to explore the forest and a kid of around 12 guided us through the forest and explained about a few plants and their medicinal values. I couldn't help but admire the knowledge he possessed about the herbs and their medicinal values as a kid. Only the people who were born in the forest know how valuable it is. I just hope this vast knowledge about the Ayurved doesn't perish with time.