7 years, 2 promises, and 3000+ km…..I took her to Ladakh!!

Some journeys take days.

Some take years.

This one took 14 years.

When Kusum and I got married, she shared her love for adventure, the mountains, and her dream of travelling together to Mussoorie, Kashmir, and Ladakh.

We visited Mussoorie on our honeymoon.

Then life changed.

In 2012, at just 29 years of age, Kusum – who had never smoked – was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. By then, the cancer had already spread to her brain, bones, adnexa, and ovaries.

Yet, in 2013, post chemotherapy and whole brain radation, we travelled to Kashmir together to celebrate her birthday.

But one dream remained unfinished.

Ladakh.

Her oncologists advised against travelling there because of the significant high altitude of Himalayas and low oxygen levels.

So that dream quietly stayed with us.

After Kusum passed away, I kept her ashes with me for seven years.

Not because I couldn’t let go…

But because I was waiting for the right time to fulfil a promise – to finally take her to Ladakh.

Becasue, before that, I had another promise to keep.

To raise our son as a single father and help him complete the education that both of us had dreamed of for him.

This year, after watching him graduate from Class 12 with flying colours, I took a motorbike expedition of 3000+ km via multiple majestic himalayan passes, water streams, sand dunes, cold desert, to the world’s highest motorable pass ‘Umling La’ located in ladakh region of Himalayas – carrying white ribbon in my hand to raise lung cancer awareness.

And, yes, I finally took my Kusum to Ladakh 😊

Standing beside the breathtaking waters of Pangong Lake, I said goodbye once again.

Not with tears alone…

But with gratitude.

For the love we shared.

Forever in my heart.

❤️