“Are you sure that we’re going the right way?” Tejashwi asked for the fourth time as Apurva ran his eyes on the map. Irritated, he folded the map, kept it aside, and uttered, “No, this is the wrong way. I have a deal set up with a human trafficker, which is where we part ways.”

She rolled her eyes and looked outside the window to the vast rough land. The road was ill and dusty. With time, dusk was approaching and they had to reach the destination before the natural light went off. The car jerked forward several times like a canoe on the waves of the ocean. The wheels of the car kissed the edge of the road, peeking down at the land situated meters below. She closed her eyes as the land below had its mouth open. A small failure and the cliff would swallow them. Maybe I am just afraid of falling. That is when she thought of a question.

“Hey, I have a question,” She said turning to him.

“What?”

“When people say they have a fear of heights, do they have the fear of the height or of the fear of falling from that height?”

“That is a brilliant question and importantly relevant. Why don’t you ask me after we’re done driving along the cliff?”

“Answer me.”

He dropped the gear harshly and pressed the accelerator on the uphill. Tejashwi stared at him impatiently waiting for the reply, “I don’t know. I think it is the fear of falling in most cases. But some people can have anxiety by just looking at the land deep beneath from where they stand.”

“I guess,” she said and looked outside.

“You know what? Let’s find out.” Apurva announced and pressed the brakes. With the approval of an abrupt plan, he parked his car on the side and placed his legs on the remote land. Happily, he grabbed his soul mate’s hand and walked to the edge of the hill. A sharp wind crept through their warm bodies, Tejashwi grabbed his hand tightly.

“Oh my god,” She voiced her fear looking down at the land formed below. “What will happen if we jump?”

“I think for a couple of seconds, we might feel free as a bird. Our shoulders and body will let go of all the troubles that subside us. But after a split second of that relief, our bones will start breaking. They will let go of each other as our fragile bodies will start spinning and breaking. And all of this can happen before we realize it.” He grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her to his chest and kissing her on the forehead. She closed her eyes in fright.

“I am scared, Apurva.” She expressed and hugged him tightly. “I feel, if I open my eyes, then we will fall. Can we go now?”

“Relax love. I got you.” She held him tight as if holding onto her life.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“I do,” She replied bravely.

“Then slowly open your eyes and look into me. Inside my eyes there is no fear, I swear.” He spoke softly. His words hummed like a song. Slowly, she peeked with one eye and saw Apurva smiling at her. His smile felt safe. A feeling when a stray dog finds shelter amid rainfall. His eyes mirrored a feeling of reliance. The vigour of love was indisputable. She belonged in his eyes because she had bestowed her faith in them. The cloud of intimacy showered the rain of security. She opened her eyes and brought her lips to his for a brief period of the clock ticking. Then their eyes met, and she forgot about the fatal heights and the fear of falling. With you, I can walk on a coal fire, survive an avalanche, and sleep in a lion’s den.

“Now, look down without letting go of me. If you look alone, the fear will crawl with you, but if we look together, then we will beat that fear. If we stand together, then fear loses its power. We can overcome the silly insecurities that hold us back.” He said with elegance and smiled.

She looked at him with strong admiration. His perspective on life and its reluctance to witness adversity was transforming. “What did I do to deserve you? I love you so much.”

Wheels rolled along the skyline, towards a lonely road that led to the top of the hill. Apurva flashed the headlights as night had taken its shape. The car came to a stop at the topmost part of the hill. Stepping on the untouched land exposed them to a spectacular view of the city. Lights scintillated the entire city like a Christmas decoration. Apurva and Tejashwi shared the mesmerizing view of the city in amazement. But moving their eyes upwards, they saw the sky was troubled with thick clouds. Abruptly, their eyes were drawn to attention as quick lighting struck near the city. It looked like a portal that connected the land and the sky. That is when they decided to construct the tent as soon as possible, as the shower was on its way. Putting down the materials, they found a flat spot for their tent. Rushing quickly, they unloaded the tent from the car. A thunder rushed through their ears, pulling them by surprise. The panic mode was activated as a few drops of rain managed their way to the land.

“You know it’s weird,” he said in the middle of a rush.

“What?” she asked as she was connecting the tent poles.

“We feel the rain before any human because we are in the highest form of land.” He expressed and laughed while he struggled to erect the frame of the tent. “So if you think about it, we are ahead of time.”

“I don’t have the time to think about anything.” She replied hastily. Before one could say anything rain thudded against their bodies.

“Oh my god, Apurvaaaa!” she screamed as they put the finishing touches hurriedly while starting to get soaked in the rain.

“Come on quick!” Apurva shouted as both of them entered haphazardly through the small opening. Water dripped from their bodies to the surface of the tent.

“Oh no, we’ve wet the tent.” Apurva realised and got up as he hit his head on the tent. Within a second, it opened quickly, exposing them to the blistering shower. They looked at each other amid the sweet disaster and burst into laughter. The rain couldn’t alter their happiness. Huge laughter and aliveness to the fantasy-like moment acted as a shield from the effect of the huge rain. Clutching hands, they rushed to the car.

After the outpouring of love just like the rain outside, they decided to open the window as the car’s ambience turned steamy. Cold air swept past their body bracing their mind and soul. She rested on his arms as they watched the rain delay its pace. In union, they witnessed the fading of the clouds, making way for billions of stars. The force of rain faded away as the night became quieter with the sounds of insects trying to fill the noise. They came out of the car amid the evolution of a clear sky. A giant full moon shone above them, providing a dim light on their sacred love.

This is an excerpt from the author’s recently published novel ‘The Stardust In Us.’