I woke up to the sound of the guard knocking at the door, a rhythmic rap that pulled me from the depths of sleep. The first light of dawn filtered through the small window, casting a soft glow across the room. Chippi stirred beside me, blinking awake as she realized the time.
"It’s 5 a.m. already," I murmured, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The guard urged us to get ready, reminding us that we had a long day ahead. We quickly packed our belongings, the remnants of sleep still clinging to us, and stepped out into the cool morning air.
The forest loomed before us, an endless sea of green and shadow. I felt like a hunter, my camera slung over my shoulder, ready to capture the secrets the forest might reveal. Chippi, too, seemed eager, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
"Don’t get too excited," the guide warned us, his voice low and serious. "The forest is unpredictable. If anything goes wrong, we must turn back immediately."
With that, we began our trek, the forest enveloping us in its quiet embrace. The path was rugged, and the dense foliage made the journey feel more like a quest than a simple hike. The guide led the way with a determined stride, while Chippi and I struggled to keep up, our breath coming in short gasps as the terrain grew steeper.
Chippi paused frequently to take sips of water, her exhaustion evident in the way her shoulders slumped with each step. The guide, a stoic figure ahead of us, rationed the water carefully, giving us just enough to quench our thirst but not a drop more. He didn’t drink any himself, a testament to his resilience and understanding of the forest.
By noon, we reached a small waterfall, a hidden gem amidst the towering trees. The water cascaded down the rocks with a gentle hum, pooling at the base in a clear, cool basin. The guide knelt down and drank directly from the stream, while Chippi leaned in, cupping the water in her hands before submerging her face in the refreshing flow. She drank deeply, her breath slowing as the cold water revived her.
“This place… it feels like something out of a dream,” she said, wiping her face and letting out a sigh of relief.
I couldn’t help but capture the moment, my camera clicking softly as I took pictures of her without her noticing. There was something magical about the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a halo around her as she sat by the waterfall.
“Chippi, have you seen the movie *Raavan*?” I asked, glancing at her through the lens.
“Yeah,” she replied, her eyes meeting mine.
“I see the frames here, just like in the movie. Look at that rainbow over there, formed by the spray of the waterfall. It’s almost like nature is putting on a show for us.”
She closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. “It does feel like nature is embracing us. It’s so peaceful.”
The guide motioned for us to continue, and we reluctantly left the waterfall behind, the sound of the water fading into the background as the forest grew denser. The deeper we went, the more alive the forest became, its sounds and scents wrapping around us like a living entity.
“Shinu, is this your first time inside a forest?” she asked, her voice a bit strained from the exertion.
“No, I’ve been before, with our team—Kevin, Harsha, and Raju. We mostly travel together,” I replied, recalling the camaraderie of those past adventures.
“The views keep me going, but man, my body is getting so tired,” she admitted, panting as the path steepened.
“Hold on, Chippi. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort to experience something extraordinary,” I said, trying to encourage her.
“Your philosophy is nice, but my legs aren’t listening,” she said with a weary smile.
“Just wait a bit longer. You’ll understand what I mean,” I reassured her.
Finally, after what felt like hours of trudging through the underbrush, we reached the treehouse and a small hut, built for the workers who came to cut bamboo and other trees. The people who lived here had little contact with the outside world, their lives deeply entwined with the forest. We climbed up into the treehouse, and as soon as we were inside, Chippi collapsed onto the floor, utterly exhausted.
“I don’t even remember the last time we ate,” I murmured, feeling the weight of fatigue pressing down on me. I lay down beside her, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.
The next thing I knew, the guard was gently shaking me awake. I blinked groggily, the night’s darkness still thick around us. Chippi stirred but didn’t fully wake, her body too tired to move. The guard signaled for us to be silent, his expression tense. My heart raced as I wondered what we might encounter—a herd of elephants, perhaps, or some other wild creature.
We followed the guide, our steps careful and quiet as we moved through the inky blackness of the forest. I reached for Chippi’s hand, and she gripped it tightly, her fear palpable in the darkness. As we walked, a faint light appeared ahead of us, a soft glow that seemed to pulse with life.
“What is that?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The guide turned to us, his expression serious. “It’s a bioluminescent tree. The glow comes from a fungus that grows on the bark. It’s beautiful, but we shouldn’t stay long. It’s dangerous to be out here at night.”
We stood there, mesmerized by the sight. The tree glowed like something out of a fairytale, its light illuminating the surrounding forest in an ethereal radiance. The sight was breathtaking, a reminder of the forest’s mysterious beauty and the hidden wonders it held.
As we hurried back to the treehouse, the night sky spread out above us like a vast, twinkling canvas. Fireflies danced in the air, their tiny lights flickering like stars brought down to earth. It was cold, the kind of deep, bone-chilling cold that you only feel in the wilderness. Chippi leaned against me for warmth, but she was too exhausted to stay awake. She soon retreated to the bed, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I couldn’t sleep, not with the view before me—the stars, the fireflies, the peacefulness of the night. It felt like everything I had lost was somehow returned to me in this moment, as if the forest had given me back a piece of myself that I hadn’t realized was missing.
The next morning, hunger gnawed at us, a reminder of the physical toll the journey had taken. The guide prepared a simple meal of rice soup, which we devoured gratefully before setting off to explore the forest once more. We spotted some animals from a distance, but the guide warned us not to get too close. The forest, with all its beauty, was still a place of danger.
The journey back was less grueling than the way in, but for Chippi, it was still a test of endurance. Her steps were heavy, her energy depleted, and at times, the guide and I took turns carrying her bag to ease her burden. By the time we reached the quarters, evening had fallen, and we were all eager to rest.
We freshened up, waiting for the guide to return with our dinner. Chippi looked at me, her eyes half-closed in exhaustion. “Do you want to go further into the forest?” I teased, knowing full well how tired she was.
She glared at me playfully, her eyebrows knitting together. “I just want to rest, Shinu. Nothing else.”
She lay down on the bed, her fatigue evident in every movement. The guide brought us food, which we ate quietly. Afterward, I went up to the terrace, seeking the peace of the night sky. My legs ached from the day’s journey, the fatigue settling deep into my muscles. I lay there, staring up at the stars, feeling the cool breeze wash over me.
A little while later, Chippi joined me, her presence as comforting as ever. It was like she was drawn to me, a magnet pulled by an unseen force. She stretched her legs out beside mine, mimicking my movements as we both tried to ease the pain in our limbs.
She cracked her toes, and then, with a playful look, she extended her foot toward me. “Help me out, will you?”
I laughed softly, reaching over to massage her feet. “Why are you smiling?” she asked, her eyes closing as she relaxed under my touch.
“I was just thinking about my mom,” I admitted. “I’ve never given her a foot massage, but here I am, doing it for you.”
“It’s nice to me, so keep doing it,” she murmured, her voice drowsy.
“Okay, that’s enough,” I said after a few minutes.
“Please, just a little more,” she pleaded, like a child asking for one more bedtime story.
“You should get some sleep,” I urged gently.
She looked up at the sky, her eyes widening in awe. “Wow, it’s so clear tonight.”
We sat there in silence for a while, the night sounds of the forest enveloping us. The wind whispered through the trees, and the stars seemed to shine brighter than ever, as if they were putting on a special show just for us.
“Shinu,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Why haven’t you found a partner yet?”
I hesitated, the question catching me off guard. “I’ve tried,” I finally
said. “But after her… I don’t know. I keep remembering her, the way she was, the things she did that made me fall in love. But when you get to know someone deeply, you see their true self, and sometimes, it’s not what you expected.”
She nodded, understanding. “It’s okay to be single if you’re happy.”
“I am happier than I was before. What about you? Why are you still single?” I asked, turning the question back to her.
“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “I guess I just want to be like this for now.”
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. “But Chippi, after you came into my life, I’ve made some beautiful memories. Thank you for that.”
She returned my smile, a softness in her eyes. “Yeah, me too. I’ve done things I never thought I would, and it’s all because of you. So thank you.”
“Why thank me? Just being with me is enough,” I replied.
For a moment, we just looked at each other, the night surrounding us with its calm. “What’s your dream, Chippi? I’ve never asked you that.”
She thought for a moment before answering. “I just want to help people, to be paid in their smiles. And to see new places, eat good food. That’s it.”
“That’s all?” I asked, surprised by the simplicity of her answer.
“Yeah, I’m not like you, Shinu,” she said with a laugh.
“You’ll make it happen, I’m sure of it. When you become a doctor, you’ll help so many people. It’s a noble profession.”
“That’s why I chose it,” she said softly. “So, we’re heading back tomorrow, right?”
“Yep,” I confirmed.
“My holiday isn’t over yet. Should we go somewhere else?” she asked, a hint of mischief in her voice.
“I’d love to, but I’m almost out of money. I’ve only got a little bit left.”
“Oh, well, let’s save up again and plan a trip to Tamil Nadu. I’ve marked so many places there.”
“Okay, you make the map, and I’ll be there,” I agreed.
“Shall we sleep here on the terrace?” she asked, looking around.
“It’s not a good idea. We might catch a cold,” I warned.
“But I want to,” she pouted, like a child denied a treat.
“No, Chippi, it’s not safe either,” I said firmly.
“Okay, I’m coming,” she said, her voice small and reluctant.
She followed me down, behaving like a little kid as the night wrapped around us, pulling us into its gentle embrace.
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