If I Had A Love Story - Chapter 17



Chapter 17

Opening up the last page of the newspaper, I skimmed through the pages of the newspapers stacked neatly in a stand. Daylight outshined the artificial lighting inside the reception rendering them inefficacious. A long journey awaited us as we made our way to Coorg. I offered Diya the window seat and perched myself comfortably next to her. She was adorned in a baby blue tinted top with repeating diamond-circle patterns and a black pant. She looked alluring like she did on any other day. Her bewitching eyes pulled me towards her like a magnet. She always appeared beautiful to me no matter what or when. "Beauty lies in the heart of the beholder" someone had said.

"You look beautiful today" I broke the silence between us.

She blushed. I felt an adrenaline rush coursing through my veins. I couldn't help it. It happens every time she smiles or blushes.

We were then interrupted by a pandemonium on what movie should be played. Diya offered me an earpiece and within minutes we were lost in the movie of ours. The fact that it was a romance movie made it even better. Occasionally I would turn to look at her and watch her turn giving a glaring look at me. After that, she would hit me on my head, bringing me back to the movie. Two and half hours flew just like that. We took time to let ourselves sink back into reality stretching and yawning. That movie was one of my firsts - the one I watched with her and so was a special one.

She leaned her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. Her soft, slender hair fell on my hands. I grabbed the book I had brought - "If Cricket is a religion, Sachin is God" and started reading to pass time. Eventually I got bored looking at statistical numbers and so I watched Diya sleep, transfixing my eyes on hers. It felt so peaceful.

"Ahem! Ahem!" Ajith was standing in front of me. 

I signalled him to go away and he went away with a mocking smile in his face. We were riding uphill now and tablets were distributed to those feeling uneasy. We were greeted by lush greenery and fluffy white clouds. I woke up Diya so that she wouldn't miss them. 

We were walking towards Raja Seat Park, a major tourist spot at Coorg. We were surrounded by low buildings and clouds sweeping over our heads. I could feel the chillness in our hands as she took my hand. The misty air cleared as the sun came up slowly. The park was filled with green foliage and flowers of different kinds. We climbed down a flight of stairs to reach a circular platform and there awaited a beauteous sight. A commanding view from the cliffs of the hills and its rampant flora let us wonder for a while. She was still holding my hand, her other hand resting on the rail for support. We were standing so close that our shoulders brushed. I felt warm even though it was chill around. Finally we returned back after a long photo session.

Moving further uphill, we had our lunch. After filling up our stomachs, we walked all the way to Abbi falls. A low lying signboard at the top reading "ABBI FALLS" welcomed us. Diya grabbed my hand and went shooting down several flights of stairs. In the last flight of stairs, she tripped and almost fell. I darted in front of her and caught her in time. Our eyes met so close (a few inches apart) that I could hear her long laboured breaths and smell her fragrance from her clothes. I took my hand from her shoulder as she regained her balance. A sense of awkwardness crept in between us.

"I’m sorry"

She didn't reply or react. I felt like I could have just held on to her hand rather than over doing it by catching her up front.

"It's ok" she comforted and hit me on the head.

"Ouch! That hurts" (It never pains, I just love it when she hits me).

We went near the waterfalls gazing upon the water gently falling from the rocks grazing past them, splitting into white pearls that reflected sunlight as it dipped down reaching the bottom. The water rippled down creating a soothing and calming effect. I was so lost in the beguiling flow of falling water as I didn't notice a couple asking me to take a photograph for them. I finally noticed them and took a few clicks of them standing in front of the waterfalls. In return, they offered to take photos of Diya and me and she agreed before I could say anything.

She thanked them for the photos and took me to a higher spot. We then stood there heeding to the rapt rhythm of the waterfalls amidst people clamouring nearby. All I wanted to say at the moment was "There is a very beautiful world out in front of us. But I love you more".

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