As the bus wound its way up the narrow roads toward Wayanad, the rhythmic hum of the engine combined with the gentle away of the vehicle made it feel like the world outside was moving in slow motion. The landscape was a lush green canvas, with patches of tea gardens stretching out like velvet beneath the misty sky. I couldn't help but steal glances at her. She sat in the window seat just ahead of mine, her face partially turned towards the glass, lost in the world outside. Her hair, slightly tousled by the wind seeping through the window, occasionally drifted back, brushing against my face. I smiled to myself; she always looked so carefree with her hair down, but I knew she looked even more beautiful when she tied it up.
I settled into the view outside, although my attention was mostly on her. She was listening to music, her earbuds barely visible beneath her hair. Suddenly, she turned around, catching me off guard. Our eyes met, and she smiled—a small, knowing smile that said she had caught me staring. And at that moment, I knew she was happy. We reached Wayanad just as the first light of dawn was breaking through the clouds. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of wet earth and the freshness of the nearby forests. We stepped off the bus and walked to a small tea shop nestled in the corner of the bus stand. The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a kind face, greeted us with a smile as he poured steaming cups of tea.
“This place has the best tea and puttu with kadala curry,” I told her as we settled into a wooden bench. The hot tea warmed our hands, and we relished the simplicity of the moment—the tea, the puttu, and kadala, all of it tasted better here, far from the chaos of the city. After breakfast, we began our walk to Kevin’s spot—a place known only to a few. The path was rugged, and we had to ask for directions multiple times, but the journey was worth it. As we climbed higher, the air grew cooler, and the view opened up to reveal a breathtaking panorama. We reached the spot just as the sun was beginning to rise fully, casting a golden hue over everything.
The sun was still low in the sky, casting long shadows on the path as we began our hike into the forest. The morning air was cool, with just a hint of mist clinging to the treetops. Each step we took seemed to echo in the silence, broken only by the distant call of birds and the soft rustle of leaves underfoot. She walked beside me, her pace in sync with mine, occasionally brushing against my arm as the path narrowed. The forest was dense, with towering trees that seemed to reach for the sky, their branches weaving a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The scent of damp earth and fresh foliage filled the air, grounding us in the present moment.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, her voice soft, as if she didn’t want to disturb the surrounding tranquility. “Yeah, it’s incredible,” I replied, glancing at her. There was something about the way the light played on her face, highlighting the soft contours of her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes, that made my heart skip a beat. “It’s like we’re in a different world.” She smiled, that quiet, knowing smile that always made me feel like she understood everything I didn’t say. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at peace,” she said, her gaze drifting up to the treetops. “It’s like the world has slowed down, just for us.”
We continued walking, the path winding deeper into the forest. The guide walked a few paces ahead, giving us just enough space to feel like we were alone, yet close enough to not lose our way. As the trail grew steeper, she reached out and instinctively grabbed my arm for support. “Careful,” I said, steadying her. “These rocks can be slippery.” She nodded, her grip on my arm tightening slightly before she let go, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Thanks. I didn’t realize it would be this challenging.” “It’s all part of the adventure,” I said with a grin, trying to ease the moment. “Besides, it’s nice to have an excuse to hold your hand.” She laughed, the sound light and carefree, echoing through the trees. “You don’t need an excuse, you know. I wouldn’t mind.”
There was a playful spark in her eyes, one that made my chest tighten with a mix of excitement and something deeper—something I couldn’t quite name but felt with every fiber of my being. We walked on in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath our feet and the occasional chirp of a bird overhead. The forest was alive with a quiet, almost reverent energy, as if it was aware of the bond growing between us, nurturing it with every step we took together.
“Do you ever think about how different our lives are when we’re away from places like this?” she asked suddenly, her voice thoughtful. “How all the noise, the stress, it just fades away out here.” “Yeah,” I agreed, my thoughts mirroring hers. “It’s like all the worries and responsibilities just vanish, and we’re left with the simple things—like this hike, the trees, and... us.” She looked at me then, her expression softening. “You know, there’s something about you, something I’ve never felt with anyone else. It’s like you get me, even when I don’t say anything. I don’t have to pretend or put up walls around you.”
Her words touched me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. “I feel the same way,” I admitted. “There’s this... connection. It’s hard to describe, but it’s there. I’ve never felt so comfortable around someone before.” We reached a clearing where the trees parted to reveal a breathtaking view of the valley below. The sun was higher now, painting the landscape in shades of green and gold. We stood there, side by side, taking it all in. “This is amazing,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe. “It’s like a painting, but better because we’re here, experiencing it.”
“Kevin, you are the man,” I whispered to myself, looking around. The view was indeed something one had to experience to understand. She stood there, lost in thought, bathed in the warm yellow light of the sun. Her hair now appeared almost brown, catching the light in a way that made me want to freeze the moment forever. I quietly opened my bag, taking out my camera. I managed to get a few shots before she turned around, startled by the sound of the shutter.
“Wow,” she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she caught me. I smiled, slightly embarrassed. “You need to ask permission if you’re taking pictures,” she said, but the teasing tone in her voice told me she wasn’t really upset. “Yes, but some beautiful things can be captured without permission,” I replied, and she laughed softly.
We lingered there until the sun grew hot, then made our way back down to the bus stop. From there, we headed to my friend Raju’s house, a place where I’d spent many a weekend, though this was the first time I wasn’t alone. “Who is that?” Raju asked the moment he saw her. There was a hint of surprise in his voice, but no one could really blame him. He was used to seeing me by myself. “Don’t worry, she’s with me,” I reassured him with a grin.
Lunch was simple but delicious, and after eating, we set off again, this time to meet the guide who would take us into the forest. His house was small and cozy, with children playing outside, their laughter filling the air. His wife served us tea while the guide prepared for the trek. As we began our walk, I turned to her and said, “Sometimes I just wish I had a time machine to go back to when we were kids, to play without worry and to sleep without the weight of responsibilities.” She nodded, understanding what I meant. “Growing up means more responsibilities, and we can’t make the same mistakes anymore,” she said softly.
“But you know what? We’re human; we make mistakes,” I added. “The important thing is to learn from them and keep moving forward.” She looked at me, her eyes reflecting a hint of sadness. “Would you accept your boyfriend again if he came back?” I asked, curious. She sighed, her gaze distant. “Yes, I loved him. It’s still hard to forget, but he won’t change. He never even called me, so I don’t think about him anymore. Life moves on; the past can’t be changed.”
We walked in silence for a while, the forest around us growing denser, the sounds of the world fading away into the rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Eventually, we reached a small quarters, a house of sorts. I chose the hall for us to stay in, and the guide returned to his home after showing us around. She went inside the room to freshen up while I sat on the couch, thinking about everything we had talked about. The guide brought us some food, and we ate like we hadn’t seen food in days. Even the simple rice soup and pickle were devoured in minutes.
“You know,” she said with a laugh, “if my mother knew I was staying in a house with a boy, she’d kill me.” “My mother too,” I added with a chuckle. “But I don’t know, yaar. I trust you blindly.” Her words hit me deeply. “Thank you for that,” I replied sincerely. “But it’s still going to be a long night, you know?” She smiled, understanding the unspoken meaning behind my words. The guide returned a while later, carrying a candle to place in the hall. He said something to her, and she laughed again. I asked her what he had said, and she replied, “He just wanted to know what kind of relationship we have. I told him we’re friends.”
The night passed in conversation, laughter, and the quiet comfort of being with someone who understood you. As the forest outside the small house grew quiet, we settled into a peaceful silence, both of us lost in our thoughts. The bond between us felt stronger than ever, something that went beyond words, beyond the need for labels. It was a connection that was simply there, as natural and unforced as the forest itself.
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