Chapter 7: I've Loved These Days
"Mr. Chiffon? Are you here?" I knocked on the door of the wooden shack that belonged to him, or at least I thought it did since I met him at this place when he first called me about his 'Kyrati fashion week' event. Mumu Chiffon, what an unbelievable, crazy guy. A real weirdo if you would ask me. Another person who seems to be lost here, lost in his life and his previous connections to Pagan didn't add up too well to the whole mix. His ridiculous sense of fashion was the first obvious feature everyone would notice upon meeting him. Then you add his 'heated up' way of talk and you have the perfect combination of a totally ridiculous person. Even Pagan doesn't reach the level of his ridiculousness, even with his pinkish slim fit suit, dyed blonde weird haircut and his way of being very particular with his words. Hell the suit was one of Mr. Chiffon's masterpieces, that's what he told me last time. And what exactly was I doing here…well it may sound a bit unreal but I needed his help. After the somewhat crazy events of the last week, I was finally going to visit the one person who have probably anticipated my return to her very much. Hopefully now more than before, because I can imagine her anxiousness as more days counted on adding to my absence. Not only imagine, hell I felt the same way that I imagine or hope she is feeling. My heart was beating madly in my chest, like when you are preparing for your final exams at university. I wanted to give her a present, and Mr. Chiffon was the only one from here that could provide me the exact fulfilment of my idea. And if she won't like it…well, at least it will provide something useful for her.
"Hold on, I'm coming!" came the throttling voice from inside. Shortly after, the door opened to reveal Mr. Chiffon in his full white suit with a rubber meter for clothes hanging around his neck. His face turned into a smile that seemed just….weird to me. I knew the guy was probably gay, don't get me wrong nothing against him, but I hope I didn't give out any wrong…signals, that would indicate that I'm orientated the same way as he is. Definitely not. Not after the dream I had last night. I still didn't understand the meaning of it, I knew that I have never expected or…desired for something like that to happen. It wouldn't be right for me to imagine or desire for such things to happen.
I was slowly walking up the hill, finding my way through the thick forest that covered my father's secret location. Well now it was not so secret anymore. It was put to a good use. After all these days of not being able to talk to her or just see if she's ok, I was extremely anxious to just quickly cut the path that divided me from my destination. In this quite short time that I've known her I've managed to develop a strong special bond with her. It was like we knew what the other one was thinking. Like we understood each other on a whole new level that I could never imagine would exist. I unzipped my jacket feeling the heat from climbing all the height that led to my father's place. The light fresh breeze caressed my cheeks and I felt that something new is gonna happen today. When I had finally managed to reach a spot from where only a short paved road created the last step to my goal I noticed her sitting on the wooden bench, blanket draped over her shoulders, as if she was waiting here, looking out if I would finally come today. When she spotted me, she stood up from her place, her blanket dropping in the process and literally started to run towards me. It took her only a few seconds to reach me. She stood in front of me for a second and smiled at me, her eyes glowing. "Ajay, you're finally here" After saying this she threw herself at me, hugging me fiercely as if never wanting to let me go. "I'm here now…" I managed to whisper to her ear before she pulled away and looked at me. "Ajay I…" That's when she started to approach me, or rather say started to close the gap between us her face getting close to mine, her eyes eying me almost lovingly. I stood there frozen not able to do or say anything as she stood on her tiptoes and caressed my cheek. My face heated up as I felt her lovely scent in my nose and her breath on my face. I couldn't broke my eyes from her eyes or her lips. Just as she was centimetres away from my lips…I woke up trying to recollect in my head what exactly just happened in my…dream.
"Oh Ajay, good to see you in one piece my fierce warrior. I'm sure that those tasks that I'm sending you must give you a headache from time to time, don't they? But they are worth it, believe me when I say I've never managed to get my hands on such materials as you have sent me so far." He gesticulated to show his amusement with all the skins and leathers I've collected for him already. "Yeah, well I'm glad you like it…listen, I came here for your help." I managed to stutter awkwardly, being in a close presence with this guy made me feel uneasy. It was weird. He closed the door behind me, gliding like a ballerina around me making a twist inside his shack almost knocking over a figure that stood there. "What can an artist like me provide to you? I'm listening, anything I can do for you that is within my range of skills will be yours." Again his weird way of talking. "Those skins and leathers you're sending me are exquisite, I'm your servant as long as you want now. Do you need something for your athletic build?" He bowed to me, roiling the weirdly smelly air that was in his shack. I backed up a step from him putting both of my hands in front in a defending manner. "Actually no, it's not gonna be for me." "Aaaah, something for your lovely lady? For your girlfriend I suppose?" I gulped trying not to blush when I knew that I came here to request something from him that would fit Noore. "I got everything your heart would desire to see her in. No one could ever match the magnificent style of Mumu Chiffon!" He exclaimed gesturing to the dresses that were stored behind him. "Well, you got that part right. I'm looking for some dresses for my…girlfriend, if it'll make it easier for you." This was really starting to get difficult for me. "I need something casual for her as well. You know something that she can wear on a normal day, nothing too special." "Don't worry Ajay, I got everything your lady needs." He moved to his racks and boxes of clothing. "Take something casual but also something for a bit colder weather, you know for chilly evening kind of Kyrati weather." I tried to make a small joke, just to get rid of the light blush that crept on my face when hearing Mr. Chiffon talk about my non existing girlfriend, when in fact he was actually referring to Noore. "Ooooh yes, you're right, I myself feel that cold more often than not". His weird giggles filled the air around me, making me more uncomfortable again. "And could you look for a nice dress or two too?" I asked him, hoping that he has something not too extravagant like you would expect but something nice and not too revealing. "No problem, no problem." His answer came as he looked through all the racks and piles of clothing. "I got what you need Ajay, but there is one single important thing that you haven't told me yet. Without that I cannot give you what your heart desires." I could only imagine what would be next in his line of thoughts. "I don't know the measures of your lovely lady…" "Measures?" I hoped he didn't want me to reveal some details I didn't know. "Yes, I cannot give you any pieces from my collection and from the stuff that has Pagan has supplied me with before he tried to kill me." I scratched the back of my head, feeling foolish for not thinking about such an obvious fact that would be necessarily required in this exact situation. "Would it help you if I would use a comparison? If I would mention someone who has the exact…measures as my…girlfriend" What have I gotten myself into? "Certainly. That is of course if I know that lady you're gonna mention" I sighed heavily, knowing what was to come now. "Do you know Noore?" I tried not to be too obvious about knowing too many facts about her, just so that Mr. Chiffon would think that I'm using a fairly well known woman here in this country. "You mean Noore Najjar who runs the Shanath?" The guy clearly didn't suspect anything suspicious. "Yes, exactly her. She is almost the exact copy in terms of…measures as my girlfriend. You do know her, right?" Sounding not very hopeful was pretty difficult in this situation. "Oh yes. Of course I do." He shook his head rubbing his palm with his right hand, clearly remembering Noore. "A great beauty. Really magnificent woman, truly beautiful. But sad and broken too….or that's what I remember when I met her at Pagan's palace few years ago when I was still working for him. She came to receive his orders. He was so mocking to her. And she seemed just…sad. It wasn't a good sight to see such a beautiful woman being so down. But anyway, I think I remember her measures very well. How couldn't I, none of our Kyrati models has ever had looks like her." He started to pack some clothes into a large brown paper box, adding some comfortable shoes in the process, not thanks to my memory forgetting that Noore will something on her feet, not just her crafty sandals. I noticed he packed some classic light trousers, jeans, shirts, blouses and all this kind women clothing, adding at least two dresses that seemed nice to me from the single glance that I managed to capture. And thankfully after me telling him to skip all the traditional Kyrati clothing he chose only some normal modern stuff that he had available too, luckily. I didn't think that Noore would want any more of that stuff as I could imagine she had enough of those in all these years she has spent here. She will be definitely happy to have something on that is more loose and comfortable and not so complicated just to represent her as a 'Mother eagle watching her Kyrati children' from Shanath. After thanking him, promising him to bring more of that rare stuff he wants and convincing him that I really don't need anything on my 'athletic build' I exited his shack with the box in my hands. Putting it to the truck on the backseat, I decided not to wait a single moment more and finally head to the hidden location that no one apart from me knew about. After the last few days I could count one more person that knew about that place and currently occupied it as well. My secret friend and companion whose existence I had to cover up as much I could. And who surely waited for me to finally show up.
As I approached my destination I felt that familiar urging feeling in my stomach. Is she gonna greet me well? Won't she be mad at me for being away for so long? For not being able to stop by and visit her? Or is she gonna greet me the same way she did in my last night's dream? I didn't know in that moment what would I do if that exact situation would have happened…would I be happy? Would I reject her? Or would I be just simply confused? Honestly I didn't know, I knew that Noore has become important to me, and she was…beautiful, that is something that I have to admit, but imagining things that happened in my dream that was more than confusing for me. Taking a deep breath was the first thing for me to do, when I hopped out from my truck, leaving the box for Noore on the backseat deciding that I needed to see her first. Quickly cutting my way through the forest caused me to get hot, exactly as it happened in my dream. I started to feel a bit déjà vu when I unzipped my jacket catching my breath. My breath was getting quicker, maybe it was from anxiety to see Noore again, maybe it was from the anxiety that the events would roll out the way they did in my dream. When I reached the stone paved road that led to the cabin I stopped for a second reminding myself that I'm actually here, and this is not a dream. Honestly, I was really happy that I would see Noore again. Her presence, her laugh, her smile, her voice and her ability to reach deep inside me was something that I knew that it would be senseless to deny the fact I love all those features on her. The slightly chilly breeze blew around me in a similar way that I had remembered from my dream. I looked upon my destination and as I expected…there she was. But one thing was different, she was sitting on the wooden bench, blanket draped over her shoulders, but she wasn't looking in my direction, she was reading a book. I immediately remembered my present for her and a sparkle of hope ignited inside me that it was in fact Gone with the Wind she was reading. I smiled to myself, not making a single sound trying to be quiet as possible as I started to cut the distance between us. Just as I was to make my first step she looked up as if she felt she wasn't alone anymore. Her eyes fixed on me, her mouth opened a bit expressing the pleasant surprise that was caused by my presence. Déjà vu, that's all I could think of as she stood up and put her book on the bench, her blanket falling down there as well and started to walk towards me. I noticed she quickened her pace as I neared her and a gentle smile formed on her lips. As the distance between us was getting shorter and shorter we both simultaneously sped up, in the end almost running towards each other.
I opened my mouth trying to get some meaningful words out, but nothing came out. Noore's giggles gave me the realization how foolish I must have been in that moment. She smiled her beautiful full smile while looking at me with a gentle look in her eyes. When I was about to expect her to say something or…do something she hit my chest with her right hand balled into a fist. "Did it have to take a full week to do all those things for the Golden Path?" She asked me angrily, her eyes piercing mine, trying to express her displeasure. I didn't know how to react. "I'm sorry…I – I…" I stammered trying to get at least some kind of apology to her, failing miserably making myself look like a fool. A waterfall of giggles followed after my embarrassing tries to make an apology. I looked at Noore to see her rolling with laughter enjoying the fact that she caught me in her little prank. "Ajay…" She told me sweetly, her lips curling into another beautiful smile, and grabbed my hand. "I was just joking! I'm very happy that you are here" I tried to come up with a reply but I didn't get a chance to do so as Noore quickly took the situation in her hands and hugged me firmly. Feeling her soft body on mine, her face at the crook of my neck I literally lost it right there and I hugged her back with equal strength refused the strong feeling to kiss her hair in a friendly way if that's even possible. "I'm sorry that it took me so long, that wasn't just able to…reach to you. Believe me I would have given anything to check on you for a few minutes." "I know, don't worry." We stayed like that for a few minutes, enjoying the comfort that our embrace provided us. When I think about it, maybe we really are two lost souls, two people who have lost something in their lives and who are both equally hurt. I know that Noore's loss can't be compared to mine, it's true that I had lost my mother and that I don't have any close relatives that I know of, but Noore lost her husband, whom she loved dearly I presume and she also lost her children. Her sons. That is something that I cannot imagine. When you become a parent I guess your life changes for good. And losing you children in such a cruel way, while living in a lie, being told that they are still alive and doing cruel things for them. I would do the same, if I was in her place. Heck I would kill anybody who would try to hurt Noore now. Somehow the events of our lives turned out so badly that it both led us to find the other so we would understand each other and be like a supporting pillar to one another. At least that what I was thinking about in that moment. "I hope you haven't planned anything for yourself because I have things on my mind that I want to discuss with you, and some other stuff to do, too." I had my mind set on taking her today somewhere off, just spending some time with her which would help my mind to just get off from all the stress I have to experience on day to day basis in this civil war here. "Anything you want Ajay, I will gladly enjoy any idea that you are going to come up with, believe me." Her slight dimples on her cheeks were probably the most satisfying thing to see. I couldn't help to not notice how she looked. Just better and better. I know I've already admitted that I do consider Noore beautiful in her own way, but now in this moment she just somehow managed to take my breath away. With that beautiful smile of hers plastered on her face, the playful look in her eyes and her rosy red lips she reminded of…..an role model beauty who could be an inspiration for other women and possibly younger girls too . She was a beauty, no doubt. And now it was even harder to ignore this fact, mostly thanks to my last night's dream. But I promised myself that I would not think about her in such terms, she was a great friend, someone who understood me, someone with whom I could talk to, she was a significant persona, but I can't think about her in terms of…love stuff. Just no. She just lost her family and she must still be hurting inside. She doesn't show it on the outside anymore, but I am pretty sure that there are times when she thinks about her family and with those thoughts come all the negative emotions. And although she stated that she has reconciled with them being…forever away from her, I don't think she would want to fall in love with someone. And if she will find someone whom she will eventually fall in love with, it's definitely not gonna be me, ever. I wished her only the best, all the happiness there is, she deserves it after going through so much for so long. And if she'll want to keep me as her close friend in her future life I'll be more than happy with that. "Come, I want to show you how I have made this place cosier." She pulled my hand to the direction of the cabin. I didn't protest knowing that it would have little to no effect in this situation. "Okay, but there is some stuff waiting down in my car that is for you. Something that you're gonna definitely like. Or at least I hope so that you're gonna like it." She stopped just as she was about to open the door, and turned her head back to look at me smiling gracefully as ever. "Well that'll have to wait. I look forward to anything that you have brought me, but first you got to see it here." I furrowed my brows, following her strong lead, feeling the commitment in her actions. "You're gonna like it." The soft touch of her hand was all that I needed to convince me. She had such a delicate fingers, I could only imagine how her caress would feel on my face just as I experienced in my dream. When she opened the door and glided inside all I could almost immediately feel the warmth and the spinning aroma. Yes it was her significant scent, Noore's scent that surrounded her everywhere she went. It was so intoxicating that I had to close my eyes for a second before opening them, proving to myself that I was actually in fact still conscious. "I hope you don't mind if I have rearranged it here a bit. I felt that it needed a bit of let's say woman's touch." Her melodic voice gave the finishing touch to the complex pleasant feeling this place emanated. "No definitely not, it looks great here, better than when I came here. You seemed to somehow awaken this place. It looks so much more inviting and comforting." And it was the truth. She arranged some pieces of furniture in a more reasonable way, cleaned the dust, put some warm looking red blankets on the couch and fixed the overall mess that I haven't managed to get rid of – I was a guy after all. "I'm glad that you feel that way…" I noticed she moved across the room, happily scurrying around this place. She ran her fingers on a cover of a book that she had on her nightstand beside her bed. I noticed that it was Scarlett. "I – I really hope…that…" she paused and sat on the bed looking as if she was feeling embarrassed. The bed itself didn't look so cold and unused anymore. The pillows looked wrinkled and I could imagine that if I would have tried to press my nose them I would feel the beautiful scent that accompanies Noore everywhere. "What?" I smirked at seeing her trying to find words. Her, the powerful, fierce and confident Noore Najjar. "I tried to make it as comfortable as possible so you wouldn't mind spending time here. Because I would be really happy if you want to spend some time with me, just chit – chatting, or we could have a glass of wine…or anything." The light blush on her face was evident as she averted her eyes down. She reminded now of some cute little puppy. I walked over to her and kneeled on one knee in front of her and pushed her chin upwards so she would face me. "Don't you ever doubt the fact about me wanting to spent time with you. I love talking to you. You know that I feel like I can tell you anything. Believe me that I plan to spend as much time here with you as I will be able to, as long as you will want me to." She smiled at me, showing her slight dimples on her cheeks. "And wine?" I didn't know where it could come from. "Yeah, you wouldn't believe that but I found a few bottles stored here. So I guess…" Her attempts were just so cute. "Of course I will gladly enjoy a glass with you anytime." We stayed in our positions for a minute when I noticed that it looked like I was proposing to her, kneeling on one knee and looking at each other expecting what the other one will do. I stood up pulling Noore's hand so she would do the same, her legs betraying her in the process which resulted in her almost falling down back on the bed. "Have you already had a glass? Or should I say a bottle?" I couldn't resist the urge to tease her after seeing her so relaxed and happy. "I'm not drunk, I'm just clumsy now!" When I didn't stop laughing at her she punched my shoulder lightly. "Stop it! You pulled me up, it was your fault!" The corners of her mouth just couldn't hold it anymore as she burst out laughing pressing her forehead to my chest as she tried to catch her breath again. It was so good to see her just…happy, it made me smile so much. "I'm gonna bring you the stuff that I had mentioned to you when I arrived here okay? Just wait a sec, it's in my car." I hugged her for a second, her petite body fitting to mine like a puzzle again. "And don't get drunk for real while I come back with it okay?" I shouted at her as I opened the door. Her giggles sounded in my ears as I shook my head outside when I imagined us drinking the wine for real later.
"I hope it doesn't look weird or anything but I thought that you might like some new pieces in your closet. Don't get me wrong I'm no fashion designer or anything but hopefully you're not gonna kill me if there is something you don't find particularly fitting." I was sweating in that moment. After I opened the box, Noore's curiosity drew her to the box, finding it full of "greetings" from Mr. Chiffon. Noore's eyes started to shine like two little bright stars as she looked at the contents of the box with a disbelieving look on her face. "Where did you all get that?" She picked up one of the dresses and caressed the smooth material with her fingers trying the dress if it fitted her measures. "Well the answer is quiet simple…do you know Mr. Chiffon?" She stopped browsing the box and pulling out all the clothes and looked at me. "You mean Mumu Chiffon? That ridiculous guy who served as Pagan's royal dress maker and stylist? The guy who designed all of Pagan's terrible suits himself? He was the one who got you this?" "Exactly. I hope you don't mind that it's from him, he doesn't work for Pagan anymore." I noticed her shaking her head while chuckling quietly folding a black A – cut skirt in her lap. "No of course I don't. He wasn't a psycho, I just didn't expect him to have such a nice pieces as you have brought me here. And from the first brief look, they all seem to fit me pretty well, that's weird…" Feeling her being curious in this moment, I knew that she probably won't believe my explanation for this particular question of hers. "How did he know my exact measures? All of the pieces here so far seem to fit my size pretty well…" Scratching the back of my head I saw Noore's eyes searching for a reasonable answer. "I told him that I'm looking for a few pieces for my girlfriend…and I told him that she is exactly like you…in terms of, you know…" Her small blush could be seen on her cheeks again. "Ajay, you – you flatter me when you tell people that I look as good as your girlfriend looks. Never mind, it's good that he got the right idea from you. I remember I met the guy, long time ago when I wasn't here for very long…funny he remembered how I looked…" She smirked and put some of her newly folded shirts in her dresser. I decided to not react on the girlfriend part…it still pains me when I think about it even now. "He even told me that how could he not remember a woman like you. Supposedly none of the Kyrati models has ever had looks like you…" The burst of laughter was the exact thing that I supposed would happen. "That fool…but at least he has something nice to put on…I was already getting tired of all the complicated Kyrati robes after I didn't need to lead the Shanath anymore. They felt like some heavy metal chains on me. I got used to wearing them, but it's not a part of my essential style." "I'm glad that you like it. Anyway, I had something in my mind, if you're set on spending time with me. Put on some warmer clothes and some boots, I saw that he also packed one of them. We are going to take a small trip today." She stepped towards me her excitement written on her face, almost immediately making me happy too. "As long as you don't take me straight to the Himalayas I'll follow you everywhere!" "Well, then get something on you, I'll wait outside. Don't take too long." I knew that she will. Obviously. "I won't." But I didn't mind. Seeing her happy like this made my heart melt. And the fact that I've found somebody that I can consider special in her was a massive bonus to it.
"Put on your seat belt. You remember that safety is always first." I commanded my female companion slightly when we entered my car, getting ready for our short journey. Noore didn't protest to my commands, only a barely visible frown could be seen on her face and I was pretty sure that she meant to make such a grimace as joke and that she wasn't angry with me. "This thing won't fit in…" The clicking sound of Noore finally putting the seatbelt successfully, gave me the signal to head out. "Is it gonna take long to get there?" Her question came almost as if a child would ask it. When I think about kids, to be honest I can't imagine myself being a father now, maybe one day. Maybe it's because I have nobody with whom I could share all the happiness and burdens that come with it. With such responsibility. But hearing Noore's childish question in a way that almost impossible not to call cute, I was sure back then it would be lovely to have a daughter that would make such comments as my female companion did just now. "Wait and see. And if you ask me again like if you were my daughter or niece or what, I won't tell you anything either." I raised my eyebrows at her seeing the frown on her face as she stuck out her tongue at me. "No, not that. You are so funny sometimes, you know that?" There was a strong urge to tease her again. It felt so natural. The way we seemed to click together, I have never experienced something like that with anyone. "I know, but I promise I'm not gonna be childish anymore. I just like to enlighten the mood a bit." Her shining smile was the best thing to see. "Believe me you are good at it. It's great to see you happy and relaxed like this. Really great." I squeezed her hand with my right hand while I left my left one on the steering wheel. She smiled in an innocent way, letting go of my hand so I could concentrate on the road ahead.
"I hope this is close enough. And I also hope that you are not afraid of heights. We will take a small mountain path, so prepare to burn the reserves of your energy, but the result is gonna be definitely worth it. Don't forget to hold on properly as well." She chuckled closing the door on the truck behind her. "You are here with me, you wouldn't let me fall, would you?" "Of course I wouldn't, never. Hold on to me whenever you will want". This time I said it without a hint of joke in my voice, ensuring her that she can rely on me in situations like this as well. "Ajay…" The gentle look in her eyes could not be denied as she looked at me, zipping up her sports leather jacket, covering her cardigan. "I know…you don't know how I appreciate it every day of my life now." I can't believe how could she survived here for so long. When she's with me, after I managed to crack the shell of her pain and suffering, she is so sweet to me almost all the time. Before all this, when I knew she needed my help with finding her family, I had the feeling inside that she can be really sweet, but sometimes she still seems to impress me. "Come on." I gave her the signal with my hand, getting excited to show her the view from our destination.
The way upwards to our destination was a bit sloppy from the start, but it when we got used to our both developed tempo we managed to march pretty well. Although the path was sometimes narrow more than enough and the steepness of the hill increased as we got further, Noore seemed to catch up to me all the way. Not once has she complained about the path being too steep or us going too fast or her getting tired, not able to catch a breath. I was surprised that she was so adamant, I knew she held many things hidden about her but sometimes she surprised me even with the small elements of it like now. As we neared almost the end of our journey I wiped the few drops of sweat from my forehead. I noticed Noore doing the same when she noticed the huge boulder that we will have to climb over in order to continue. I pulled myself up with my hands, put down my backpack and laid down on my back for a second exhaling shortly and quickly. "Ajay? Would you help me please, I don't think I can manage this without you…" Her asking for help came just as I had expected, her petite form wasn't obviously built for such performances as I do on regular basis. Without responding audibly I climbed down on my knees straightening both of my hands down in front of Noore. She clutched her hand on my hands and wrists and I used my strength to pull her up, her rugged boots capturing a small narrow slot in the boulder in the process to help herself. Putting her elbows on the cold surface she finally pulled herself up with my help, her nose almost crashing to mine in the process with our face inches apart. "Do you need to take a break?" I was ready to continue, but she seemed exhausted a bit, laying on her back, her chest rising as she exhaled deeply from all the adrenaline. "Just a few seconds, I need to catch my breath" "We are almost there, so no stress, take your time. It's completely fine to show that you are not used to such…let's call it exercises in this environment." She stood up, dusting off her jacket and pants. I took a good look at her outfit. Luckily Mr. Chiffon added some useful warmer sport kind of style clothing for her. She had on a sport dark jacket, zipped up to her neck with a creamy coloured cardigan underneath. She also had on a dark blue jeans that fitted her legs nicely. A pair of brown rugged ankle boots completed her look. Her hair didn't fall around freely around her shoulders as usual, instead she put it in a low ponytail. "Ready?" I held out my hand for her and she readily accepted it and stood up keeping the hold on my hand as we continued on. "The short rocky tunnel, or whatever that is in front of us is the last obstacle that stands before us." The warmth of her hand was giving some strange kind of confidence, pushing me to lead the way. "Careful not to slip on the surface of the rocks here, I don't want us coming out from this trip with a broken leg." She shook her head following my lead through the tunnel. "Are you sure that this is gonna lead us somewhere?" I motioned her to come out to prove herself with her own eyes that it was worth the sweat and effort to come here. There, before our own eyes, was a medium sized clearing with different kinds of colourful flowers that were hard to be seen in Kyrati lowlands. A few pines that were present there created the smell, which contained the mix of the flower's scent and the pine's strong significant smell of needles. The flower's enchanting smell reminded me of Noore's fluffy perfume that filled the cabin now. But the main centre of the sight was a rather small tarn, filled with crystal clear water. The whole place was at a high altitude just as if it was a picture cut out from some encyclopedia and stamped her just for the entertainment and welfare of our eyes. I looked at Noore to see her eyes wide open inspecting the unique piece of nature that was presented before us. Deciding not to lose I pulled her hand, dragging her to the tarn, to sit down at some of the big flat rocks that laid there. "I would have never imagined that such a place could exist in this environment, I mean we are pretty high in terms of altitude and…I didn't know Kyrat could be so…enchanting. It looks so untouched here, so raw and beautiful. But who am I to speak about such things, when I've been locked up in the Shanath for years with the addition of occasional visits to Pagan and personally overseeing the drug processing in some of the strategic objects, as Paul would call them. And it was almost always on Yuma's commands, with her carefully watching the results of my work…" Her face crunched up into a disgusted frown. "It was a great idea from you Ajay, really." She smiled sweetly, changing the frown on her face and let go of my hand, squeezing it lightly. I followed her to the edge looking at the deep gorge that extended over just meters away from us. "I thought that that you would appreciate the change of the overall environment around you. I know you said you love my father's cabin but going out here will definitely do you good. I also had it in mind that I would take you here sometime, and today we had the perfect opportunity. And if you wish to wait here a bit longer here, you will see the beautiful sunset from this vantage point. Then we can return back, what do you say?" I winked at her and pulled down my backpack, searching for a bottle of water. "I will, gladly. I'm sure it's gonna be beautiful."
We made ourselves comfortable, as most as we could in our conditions, sitting on a huge flat boulder that laid beside the tarn. I pulled out my bottled water intending to take a swig when I remember the gentleman I am (I know, it sounds funny, right?) and offered it to the adamant and gentle female being that sat on my right. She accepted it happily commenting again about my gentleman behaviour, not forgetting about it even once as far as she has experienced with me. How could I, she was a lady. Maybe not everyone would consider her being her a real lady when seeing her on first sight but when you get to know to her properly and especially when you uncover her real characteristics you will quickly grow to respect her and like her at the same time. She seemed so graceful to me with everything she did, she radiated some kind of confidence even when talking about her going to a summer vacation with her grandparents in Nepal when she was small. And visiting places in Europe, places I've never heard about. As she described all the details about those times I could only imagine what it looked like. I could imagine young Noore, going hiking with her grandad, asking him about different things extending her knowledge and I could also imagine all the places that looked somewhat like Kyrat with the difference of being prosperous and not having a bloody civil war with a narcissistic dictator. The end result being the destruction of this country turning it into a dangerous zone, leaving only places such as this unaffected. I couldn't tear off my eyes of her as she told about all the adventures, honestly I lost track of time, it was so good to just listen to her.
"You know what this whole place reminds me of? Or rather said what comes to my mind when I look at this scene here?" I noticed the sun has begun to slowly descend to the horizon signalling the sunset is gonna be here shortly. "Tell me." Feeling Noore's curiosity in the air I thought about the best way to put it remembering one small detail about her that she has already told me. "A winter's tale." I simply stated. "A winter's tale?" She asked curiously, looking at me searching for a reasonable explanation. "You remember you told me about your teenage crush or love should I say?" I winked at her, seeing the smile rising on her face remembering what she told me. "You mean Freddie? Winter's tale from their last album when he was already dead? What was the name of it…Made in Heaven, I do remember now…" She looked at me while twirling her fingers cutely. "You're right, it fits here into this environment perfectly the only thing we are missing are the snowflakes falling from above. But it fits very well. As winter falls…red skies gleaming…yes I do remember, such a nice piece…so sad that he didn't manage to see it becoming alive in its full glory now." I smiled a bit bitterly the same way as she did, remembering all the good times I've spent with his pieces. "I've wanted to see the lake Geneve…it must be so enchanting especially during winter. The whole environment giving you that special kind of atmosphere, that Freddie experienced in his last months." Her statement surprised me. I didn't know she could be so sentimental from time to time. "You know, if you'll want…I can take you there sometime in the future, as a trip of…two friends doing crazy things together like visiting Montreux." I could totally imagine that as I stuttered the sentence slowly not wanting to embarrass myself. "Really Ajay?" She grabbed both of my hands in her warm delicate ones her ponytail swinging in the process. For a second I spaced out just looking at her gentle smiling features, imagining our trip to Montreux. "Of course, as long as you will want to, I promise you that I can make it reality. If you will want me to go with you." "Most definitely, I cannot wait." The enthusiasm in her voice burned like a flame. Her eyes shining like two little bright stars, her lips curled up into a smile and her cheeks holding the mild red caused by the slightly chilly wind here. I motioned her with my head to turn around and look and the sunset creating the breath taking scene before us. The sky was coloured in a mix of dark red, orange and purple and the Sun itself emanated the last warm rays of light. "You were right, it's truly beautiful. Thank god I have you to show me that not everything on this world is dead, that not everything is lost. That I can still find things in my life that are beautiful, that don't hurt me or do me bad. And that this country can be so nice in some moments." I stepped closer to her, put my hand on her right shoulder and squeezed her body to mine feeling the smile on her face. "I'm really happy that you've realized that. I knew that you will eventually find out that not everything is lost and dead and although you have lost so much, you can still hold what was very dear to you close in your heart and mind and also find things in life that will make you happy again." I hoped that I didn't sound too melodramatic, but I wanted to be honest with her, always. From the first moment I had met her, I was honest with her, if it was me being mad at start for experiencing the arena or later being concerned about her intentions of hurting herself after hearing the devastating news that I personally had to recite. "Your presence made me happy Ajay after you helped me and saved from that hell. After you have managed to convince me that I still have things to live for, you made me just a bit happy again. I hope I can somehow repay you in the same way." I knew she was honest with me now as I was with her. But that didn't change the fact that she doesn't need to think about repaying me in any possible way. "You know you don't to ever do that. Or even think about that." She chuckled while shaking her head. "I know Ajay, but I want to, believe me." There was a slight pause and I thought about asking her if she wants to stay here for longer but she obviously had other things in mind. "And I want to start now. How about you staying with me for a dinner and a glass of wine after we'll come back, hmmm?" Her offer came as a surprise to me. But a pleasant surprise. "Sure. Why not, gladly." This is gonna be a long day. Longer than I've thought it would be. But I know I will enjoy every lasting moment that I got to spent with Noore.