Here's a short story, pure imagination, wishful
thinking, a heartfelt desire
or may be a just wild dream awaiting realization!!
"Time has no meaning... Love will endure!!" ~ Jude
Deveraux
Time is endless
and so is Love. Romance in the air feels like a fresh lease on life. But,
nothing compares in romanticism to a long drive with one's
sweetheart into the recesses of nature. A Dream, a desire,
finally a reality which was realized in the breathtaking aura created by rains,
dripping trees, lush green mountains, beautiful waterfalls, rivers at their full vigour... and just the two of them!
As they planned,
planned 'n planned their escape into oblivion, a dream began to take shape. The trick lay in their escape
from their own lives, how, when, where, what, backups, so on and so forth. They
contemplated all pros and cons, covered their tracks, at times losing hope of
ever realizing their dream, but yet
somewhere within the core of their bonded hearts, they knew it would take time,
efforts, facing barriers, but they would be able to enliven it!
The plan was
simple "3-R's" - Road, Rain 'n Romance. No prior bookings, no
set travel time, halts and food as per convenience. Just a perfect mesh of
sanity 'n insanity, planning 'n craziness, but more than anything else in the
whole wide world - incomparable, beautiful friendship 'n deep love.
Living, visualizing, anticipating the pleasures of their journey together,
stealing some moments of pure bliss, building on what they once shared,
extending the experience by a minuscule time from their lives... Lives they had
pledged to others, a journey ruled by their hearts that throbbed in unison 'n
souls that were entwined as one.
Finally, the
D-day arrived. As he left his home 'n took to the wheels, he knew she would be
waiting, waiting to join him as promised, on this crazy journey of love. As he
reached their pick-up point, there she was... Waiting with a naughty twinkle in
her eyes... Casting her spell, a spell that had lasted a lifetime since the
first day they met. As they embarked on the journey, automatically their emotional baggage got dropped behind.
Fastening their seat belts, glancing at each other with illuminated smiles,
love flashing in their eyes, they drove out into a world of their own,
oblivious to world outside there realm of togetherness. A much awaited,
desired, refreshing, welcome change; a time that was bound to take them
eons away from the vagaries of their individual lives.
"Monsoon" was not
called the season of love 'n romance without reason, and the saying, ‘Rain
brings lovers closer’, never was so very true. Soft,
romantic music reignited the passion between them. The long road to destination
marked by companionship brought them to beautiful lush green ghats, and it was
there that they witnessed their first showers. Even the incessant showers
failed to dampen their spirits, instead it just added a glee to their
eyes, making their love blossom a tad bit more, a lingering reminder of
their First Date, years ago...
As they crossed
each milestone on this journey of love, they nudged a bit, played a bit, teased
a bit, enjoying the sensual 'n romantic rhythms of nature. Music synced with their moods automatically and played along. Soon, rains
relented and they hit a consistent speed, listening to their favorite
songs, relishing a specially cooked meal, singing, talking, but best of all
sharing a companionable silence, they crossed over the State limits
through magically winding mountainous roads. A picturesque location
out into the wilds, the scenic beauty of clouds at one end 'n the setting Sun
behind them, enticed them to stop and click away, capturing the beauty of their
time together... Frozen in Time!!
Even though fun
and rekindled passion reigned, they never lost concentration or forgot the
basics of safe driving. Stopping, resting, keeping their wits about, consulting
directions and weather forecasts, following speed limits, taking all
precautions, so that nothing untoward marred their beautiful time together.
The serene
beauty of nature drove them wild, motivating them to keep their camera rolling,
capturing each memory, each spoken word, as a tribute to their lasting love.
Rains forced them to stop at a road side restaurant, where hot tea as a
beverage, never felt so refreshing post a long strenuous drive in
teeth chattering cold weather.
As night
approached, visibility reduced, but they drove on with the pitter-patter of
raindrops and each other for company. Constant weather and route updates from
friends prompted them to take a night halt at a small sleepy town. As they
ventured into the town late evening, in search of a place to put up, they were
appalled and awed, that the town certainly did lived up to its reputation.
It was a much
needed, perfect stop-over before they hit the highway before dawn, the next
day. A wide four lane highway greeted them majestically, peppered on both sides
with mountains, forests, lush green plains, flower plantations, refreshing
glimpses of local life significantly marked with the aspiring new generation
headed to school. He watched, memorized, relished, every moment as
rain splashed on his beloved's face as she peered out the window while he
drove; cherishing their priceless time together. They saw clouds caress
the mountains, seemingly touching the ground, a beautiful drive through
vineyards, a cruise on an elevated Highway, that crossed over the whole city.
It was a while
on the Highway that rain came down hard on them witnessing the blinding
‘Monsoon Magic Spell’. The tiny droplets of water soon became a thunder shower,
with dark grey clouds, setting the love birds into an even more
romantic mood. They time-n-again thanked their well-wishers for prompting them
for a night halt, 'cos had they not done so they would have lost out on the
magical experience of almost gliding through the clouds. The aura was
almost mystical, with wind swept sheets of rain, flashing headlights,
flickering hazard lights, and a mystical experience of wading through the mist.
Gradually, what they'd perceived as mist turned out to be clouds kissing the
earth. The captivating beauty had enthralled them, entranced them so much, that
the sudden spot of zero visibility zapped them out of their reverie. Their
SUV's bonnet seemed to have disappeared, there was whiteness all around;
tensed, they inched their way through the dense clouds, peering through the
sheer whiteness, judging by their combined instincts, stopping intermittently,
perspiring despite the chill, almost frantic till at last, thankfully, clouds
thinned over. Unable to speak, they just looked at each other with relief,
renewed confidence, and love, feeling deep within, that their bond had
strengthened even more over last couple of minutes.
Sighing, they
pulled over, reminiscing the scenic beauty, the chills 'n thrills of
an experience that sent shivers down their spine, now etched in their
memory for a lifetime. Their tryst with destiny called for a much needed
boost, and they halted at a refreshments zone, just touching the outskirts of
their final destination. An hour later as they sat sipping coffee and reliving
the experience with a friend, the enormity and the stark surrealness of the
trip began to hit them, and together they thanked the Almighty, for bringing
them safely to their destination.
It was not their
first ride together but certainly the longest and the most eventful of all the
trips combined. A "Dream Come True",
ironically marked by the characteristic ethereal misty aura associated
with dreams. An experience
that strengthened the bond they'd always shared; enjoying the renewed
closeness with "Groovy Kind Of Love" playing in the background - the secret ingredient of the unseen
element of "Grooviness" keeping them bonded through time!!
