Ash fell down as Aman flicked the cigarette he was holding firmly, standing on a rock and lost in the the scenic beauty of the water falls on a fine day. He thought,"This hill station must be the birth place of beauty and elegance.". Many thoughts flowing in the form of stories and descriptions of nature in his mind, Aman is a young Indian author, tall handsome guy with curly hair combed backwards, pointy nose, leather jacket, lips are black and have a charismatic smile. A tourist bus came by and people from different places of country got down to view the waterfalls. He took a notice and again lost in his thoughts, he turned his head back towards them suddenly. He was sure he noticed someone, he watched a girl who looked familiar but couldn't place her in his memory. She was in formal dress, beautiful dark eyes, dimples in her cheeks, with make up and brown lipstick.
Aman was struggling to remember who she was, surely she was someone familiar. his past flashed and paused at his high school. 'That's it! she is Arti! She has changed a lot,'he thought. He wasn't sure if she would recognize him, after all he was just another boy in the class whereas she was a beauty of the school. He pulled up some courage and he headed towards her, his heart was beating fast, he felt like he was walking towards himself. He almost reached her to say hi, "Is it you Aman! I am shocked! what are you doing here? how are you?",said Arti. He was surprised for a moment, he could only observe her lips moving, he just stared at her, her words overflew his mind. He thought she has grown into a beautiful woman, her hair flowing down just like waterfall and a strand falling on her face which he wanted to brush it back her ear, he didn't even blink once, he couldn't resist mere scent of her.
"There Aman? What happened?",said Arti. He said," Hey... I was thinking about something. I am doing good. I should ask you what you are doing here. I stay here!"."That's great! it is a beautiful place, you are lucky to stay here. I am here on a tour, took a break from routine stressful life. I am a banker, you know how the life is. What are you doing?",said Arti."So.. banker huh? always a hard working person, I never thanked you for writing my physics assignments in 9th standard. I am a writer, just got my fourth book published.". Arti laughed recollecting the school days,"What can I say, I used to be studious. I never thought there is a creative person inside you, you could barely even paint."."Me neither, we never know how we turn up! How many days have you been here?",said Aman. "I have just reached here last night, I will be leaving tomorrow morning. It is good to see you."."I stay at a place nearby why don't you join me, I will introduce you the the actual place, you can get back to your bus by night.", invited Aman hesitantly hoping she wouldn't deny. Arti thought for a while and looked at his eyes, she didn't know what made her say 'yes', she joined him.
They walked down the slant curved road sharing a few childhood memories, current life and the journey of their lives. Aman could barely concentrate on what she was saying, he couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful eyes and lips. She asked,"So, where are we going?"."To paradise! the place we are going is the best you can find in here, you may not find it in guide books but it is the most beautiful place I have seen in my entire life."."I wonder why beauty differs from person to person, why it has to be perspective," said Arti. "Because if eveyone likes the same, it would have made life much simpler. It is not always perspective, you look beautiful, no one can disagree with that.". Arti blushed taking her eyes away from him towards the ground. He added," You have changed a lot! your eyes remain the same, dark and attractive. If I would have known this I would have proposed you during the school days.". Arti laughed and said,"very funny, were you blind back then?",she winked. "I have been wondering about the same thing, how could I have missed the chance back then, I am not going to miss now, I confess to you at this moment" I love you juliet! you loveth me?". She said ," Ohh romeo! where have you been all these days, I have been waiting for you. I love you too.". They both laughed enacting the characters with humor.
They have lost track of time, through the valley below them and sunset, mist on top of hills they went on talking for eternity and a romantic weather was as if set just for them. She felt cold, he gave his leather jacket to her. She felt the boldness and his strength covered with it, the warmth underneath made her feel safe as if a child is covered with a soft cloth by mother, she could never forget the scent of it in her life. It felt like she was held against his chest holding his broad shoulders, the safest place on the planet forgetting rest of the world.
He said,"Close your eyes.".She asked him,"Why?"."Just do as I say!". Arti closed her eyes, he guided her through a path, she felt rocks beneath her foot each step she took. She heard sound of water flowing, birds chirping, a cool breeze swept her, she felt a chill even under the thick leather jacket. Amidst long trees they walked, he whispered in her ears to open her eyes. She stood there without moving a muscle touched by the beauty of the exotic lake , greenery around her, there was a wooden stand and a boat. He asked her to sit on the boat, they rowed into the lake. She was mesmerized with the beauty of the scene, she watched as his strong hands rowed the boat, water sprinkling on her. He asked,"So, you like it?"." I love it! it is in deed the most beautiful place that doesn't exist in guide books. You bring a lot of girls here?". He laughed and replied,"You are the first girl to be here, I always come alone. This is my secret place, you have to keep it a secret.". She laughed and replied that she would. She looked wonderful, he thought she completed the place, her cheeks were pink with cold, he observed her as she folded her legs and hands rubbing with cold, he thought she had the most beautiful neck with hair curling down. He stopped rowing as they almost reached middle of the river. He didn't know what happened, it was out of his control, he held her hands. A moment of silence.
She slowly pulled her hands back. He was back to his senses, he felt guilty and apologized, asked whether she likes him. She said,"You are a good guy, I should have told you earlier... I am engaged! you made me forget who I was and took me into your world. I cannot be with you.". Aman was shocked and depressed, it was as if the happiness was sucked out of his life. He controlled himself and replied,"It's alright, you are not married yet. Who is the guy anyways?"."We have just met a few times, the marriage is fixed by our parents. I think I like him."."You think? he is the guy with whom you will be spending rest of your life and you think you like him! You are crazy, anyways lets keep him aside, you are here with me, that's all that matters to me."
They again went back to their never ending conversation, it was getting dark. Moon was barely visible, birds were flying home, the orange light made the scene melodramatic, water was splashing along the boat, it was as if the nature was customized just for them. He stood up and sat beside her, their eyes were staring at each other's, he placed his hand around her shoulder, she didn't stop him. He could smell her hair, their eyes were closed, breath got heavy, heart beat was audible, he held her hand and he didn't think of anything else in the world neither did she, he kissed her, he could smell that unique scent of her only when one kisses the other. His hand reached her neck, their lips collided each other's, it went on for few minutes. It was as if they created their own universe and only both were present in it. She opened her eyes, she never felt more alive in her life, she touched his rough cheek, fingers wandering through his curly hair. He hugged her, she could feel his strong breath above her head, she never felt that safe ever. They both felt like the moment lasted forever.
Arti hesitantly moved away from him with a sense of fear and guilt."I think we need to leave,"she said. He replied,"What is the hurry?"."I don't know, let us get away from here,"she said blinking her eyes. He rowed the boat back to stand and they started walking through a path with very long trees on both sides. Darkness was invading the sky, it started raining, "Why don't you come to my place and stay? you can head back to your bus tomorrow morning. Don't take it the wrong way, it is a beautiful house to visit,"he invited her with still a bit of hope somewhere she might accept. She said,"I am sorry, I don't think that is a good idea, I will head back to the hotel where I am staying.". He was disappointed, inside she desperately wanted to visit his place but she wouldn't display that. She just wanted him to request more and more so that she could justify herself later that she went there because he insisted. "For old times sake why don't you come visit just once? We never know when we would meet each other again,"he insisted. She suddenly felt a surge of happiness, he told her exactly what she wanted to hear as if he could read her mind. She thought she would do anything for him!
An old wooden house at high altitude with a chimney, lawn in front of the house with a table and two chairs, the path to entrance was curved and plants on both sides, a view of beautiful valley. She thought it was a dream house covered with such beauty. They both were drenched in rain, she hurriedly entered inside the house, a fireplace on the left of the hall, a sparkling chandelier, a beautiful warm carpet, place was furnished with Italian wood. They were shivering with cold, he lit fire and started to warm his clothes. The room was filled with red light of the fire, spreading warmth. It was an astonishing view from window with green hills covered by clouds, heavy rain and almost sun disappearing. She was standing near fireplace covered with wet formal clothes. He brought his clothes and asked her if she would like to change, he showed her a room. They sat down on warm carpet covered with woolen blankets in front of the fireplace, only sound of clock ticking and heavy rain were audible. He could hear his heart beating fast, he couldn't resist looking at her, her wet hair was disturbed after getting drenched in rain, she was rubbing her hands against each other. Then a strange thing happened, she got up and walked towards him, she sat beside him and cuddled him with her hands capturing him strongly, her head held pushed against his chest, the warmth was changing to heat, he placed a hand on her back and another on her head brushing down her hair and rubbing her cheek. They didn't even kiss, it was the most romantic moment in their entire life. "Will you stay here with me forever and ever?"he asked. She was silent.
Sun rays hit Aman's eyes, he woke up and found himself sleeping there all alone. He found a note saying-' I had best time of my life! I want this memory to stay as it is and not to ruin it. Thank you - Arti'. He was shocked, he remembered the tourist service he found her with and rushed there with faith that she could never leave him. He got inside the office and asked if the tourists were still staying there and inquired about Arti. "Sir, I am afraid they left this morning, there was a girl Arti in the list that says she is a banker.". He dropped his heart, he felt angry and depressed, the pain was unbearable, he hoped it was a dream and he would wake up. Still no traces of hatred towards her, he hated himself for what happened. He thought it was just another encounter with a person to her but what he saw in her eyes, how could he be wrong about that? He felt it, his heart felt that there was love between them every second he spent with her. He cursed himself and headed back to home, it was the longest journey in his life to return to his home. It felt empty, he himself felt empty with a hole inside him which could only be filled by her. He couldn't stay at a place, he walked, he sat down, it was like there was nothing left in his life. He reached outside the house and sat on the chair that was in the lawn. There was a note on the table.
'You loveth me Romeo?- Juliet'. He was surprised, his first smile of the day, his eyes looked for her. She was standing beside a tree. He ran towards her, so did she, they hugged each other tightly as if it was their last. "I couldn't leave, I was prepared to leave but my heart pulled me back to you. Can I stay with you?"she cried. He couldn't control his tears, he was angry that she left but the mystical love crushed the anger,"Yes,"he shouted,"forever and never leave me or this time if you leave I swear I will kill you." They both laughed and that moment lasted a thousand years.
