A Memorable Outing to Nilnag Lake with Friends

As all of my friends, along with me, are engaged in either private or government jobs, we hardly get opportunities to meet and spend time together. Very rarely are we all home on holidays, and it usually happens more by coincidence when we all get a day off from our respective offices. Yesterday was one such day when we were all at our places, though I didn’t know it at first because I got up quite late in the morning and spent half of my day doing household chores and reading some Indian history.

In the afternoon, I was called by one of my friends who runs a shop in the main market of our village. He informed me that all of our friends were at home and had already visited him, except me. My friends had already decided to go on a trip and spend some time together in the woods near a lake famously called Nilnag Lake, which is located about 7 km from our village towards the western side. I was quite excited to hear this and couldn’t wait to join them, so I quickly left in my car and headed towards my friend’s shop. There, we arranged the different items we needed for the trip and decided to take some chickens with us.

We are all non-vegetarians and usually prefer non-veg food items because of the cold climate of our region. We need high-protein foods to stay warm, and that’s how our lifestyle has evolved over time. It was already quite late in the day, around 2:30 PM, when we managed to gather everything and decided to leave. The temperature in the valley had dropped significantly, and moving into the woods in such a climate was quite harsh.

Upon reaching the place, we first enjoyed the view of the lake and met some people who were spending time on its banks. Then we decided to move deeper into the forest. Upon reaching there, we divided our tasks to make things easier—some of us started collecting wood, while others washed the chicken, cut vegetables, and prepared other essentials for cooking. Lighting the fire at first was quite difficult because the wood and other materials were damp due to the dew that falls overnight, and also because sunlight barely reaches the forest floor due to the thick canopy. It took a lot of effort to get the fire burning, as I had to blow air continuously until it caught properly and produced enough heat to cook our food.

Eventually, we were able to cook everything by around 6 PM. We sat together around the fire, enjoying our snacks, singing, soaking in its warmth, and sharing jokes. We playfully snatched chicken pieces from one another, which reflected our deep bond and affection. Sharing food together is not just about eating—it helps us stay connected, chat, crack jokes, tease, and laugh together.

When we were done, I went towards the lake to fetch some water to extinguish the fire, as it could otherwise spread into the forest and cause damage. Being a responsible citizen, I felt it was necessary to do so. Then we started walking towards our car, which was parked more than a kilometer away from the spot. It was already quite dark, and everyone had left the place. We finally departed around 8 PM.

As we reached the top of a hill from where our village was clearly visible, I saw a breathtaking scene—the glowing lights all around made the view so pleasant that I can hardly forget it. I am now eagerly waiting for another opportunity to witness a similar view of my village. Anyways, it was a memorable outing where I, along with my friends, spent some wonderful time together. We have gone on such outings many times in the past, and I can still vividly recall those moments. Yesterday’s outing was no different—it, too, will remain a cherished memory.

Thank you for going through my post. Have a great time ahead.