- A Productive Start to the Day:
Last Sunday (12-01-2025) was a memorable day for me as a father and husband. Despite it being a weekend, I woke up early at 5:00 am. After browsing the internet on my smartphone for a few minutes, I started my day by filling a bucket with water and turning on the heating rod. While the water heated, I went to the kitchen to finish the dishes and other leftover chores from the previous evening. By 6:00 am, my usual waking time, I had already made good use of an extra hour.
- A Peaceful Morning with Family:
After a refreshing bath, I got dressed in cozy clothes and began the day with a prayer , remembering my local deities. Soon, my wife and baby boy woke up too. While my wife went to the kitchen to prepare paranthas, I took over babysitting duties. She made delicious paranthas and boiled milk for breakfast, but just as I was about to eat, the electrician arrived. He came to fix the heating point of the room and replace the tubelight. Once his work was done, I finally had breakfast, although an hour later than planned.
- Planning a Lunch Outing:
My wife suggested we eat lunch at a restaurant that day, and I readily agreed. We decided to invite Priyansh, our neighbour and a local boy studying in class 10th, to join us. He suggested a restaurant his parents had visited once. I called a taxi and finalized the fare for the afternoon.
- Preparing for the Afternoon:
After lunch plans were set, I took a short nap, waking up refreshed at 2:30 pm. By 3:00 pm, my wife, our baby boy, and I were ready to step out. As we walked out, light rain greeted us. My wife and Priyansh went back to fetch umbrellas, while I waited at a nearby shop, holding my baby in my arms.
- The First Restaurant Experience:
Once in Dhami market, the rain stopped, and my wife baught some kitchen and room essentials. At 3:30 pm, the taxi arrived, and we headed to the suggested restaurant. It was supposed to have tourist huts and a beautiful campus, but much to our disappointment, the place had changed. The huts were now for accommodation, and the restaurant lacked the charm we had expected
- Making the Best of the Situation:
Though disappointed, we decided to eat there as our baby had fallen asleep in my arms. We ordered a veg pizza, mineral water, and some snacks. My wife also bought some milky toffees before we left to find another place. This time, we went to a restaurant named “आओ बैठो.” It had a decent setup but only one staff member due to the off-season
- A Relaxed Lunch at “आओ बैठो”:
We settled in and ordered food. I chose a sandwich and coffee, while my wife and Priyansh opted for spaghetti. While waiting, we had a heartfelt conversation, and my baby woke up. We gave him lukewarm water from his baby bottle and clicked some lovely photographs with him on my wife’s i-Phone.
Cutest chair in charge!
- Managing Expectations and Embracing Simplicity:
The food arrived, and although it was tasty, my wife’s expectations were not fully met. Many items she wanted, like fried rice, momos, and chowmein, were unavailable due to the limited staff. Despite this, we enjoyed the meal and made the best of the experience.
- Returning Home with Memories:
After lunch, I called the taxi to take us back home. On the way, we stopped at Dhami Chowk to collect the packed items my wife had bought earlier. By 6:00 pm, we were back in our room. My wife prepared Cerelac for our baby, and we rested for a while.
- A Simple Yet Fulfilling Dinner:
Dinner came from Priyansh’s home, as his father had brought food from a Dham. The simple and delicious meal felt perfect after the day’s adventures. We had dinner around 9:30 pm and went to bed soon after, tired but content.
- Reflections on a Day Well Spent:
While the day didn’t go exactly as planned, it was filled with small moments of joy, family bonding, and responsibility. The restaurants in Dhami and 16 Mile may not match the ones in Kullu, but they offered their own charm during the season. Overall, it was a day well spent as a father and husband—a reminder that happiness often lies in the simple things.
More About Me:
If the reader enjoyed reading this blog and would like to know more about me, please feel free to visit my “About Me” blog by clicking the link https://devenderkumardiaries.com/2025/01/09/about-me-a-quiet-soul-with-a-curious-heart/
Thank you for taking the time to read my short story!