It was early winters.
We travelled through lush valleys and glacial streams for two weeks, and arrived at our final stop — Kausani, 263639.
Our room had large windows and a balcony with panoramic view of snow crested Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchchuli peaks. It was a writer’s abode, and I didn’t discover it. It was a gift from Mia.
She was resolute about finishing our trip here, “It’ll be out of the world, trust me”. Every time she said so, I heard a “rat tat tat” from my heart — like the song, ‘City of Stars’ — an allegro to an awaiting symphony.
We reached late evening. It was raining and thunders played some heavy bass. After travelling in local busses for the whole day, we were drained. Kausani was so serene with melodious sound of rain, even time would’ve taken off its shoes and slept here. Who were we to differ?
We checked in, ordered hot soups and got in the bed.
“Thank you for getting me here,” I kissed her goodnight, “Kausani seems as magical as you.”
She snuggled close, “It feels like I am in a dream.”
I wrapped her closer.
We had two blankets on us. Our bodies shivered from being drenched in freezing rain earlier, but hearts — they were warm.
“Wake up,” there was excitement in her voice, yet she was saying my name in soft whispers. The first sensation I remember was my cold cheeks rejoicing to her warm breath.
I opened my eyes and understood the reason for fervency in her voice.
The clouds didn’t understand, ‘do not disturb’ sign hanging at our door. These uninvited guests had surrounded us while we were sleeping. There was a comforting heaviness in the air. It’s perplexing to say it aloud, “comforting heaviness” — it was true then, and I will not change it now.
“Chalo,” she pulled me out of the bed. We wrapped ourselves in blankets and stepped out into the balcony to witness sparkles of gold scattered through our skies. There was nothing but golden diffractions engulfing us. In her words, “It was out of the world.”
The show settled in a while, and we sat in silence holding hands. I broke the silence, as I had to tell her what was in my head since I woke up, “I love the way you say my name.”
That day started beyond our wildest wishes. We didn’t know if it can get any better, or what better even meant? We were just mortals — unaware that this was mere intro to the grander symphony that awaited us.
Where our imagination ended, this symphony began.