Journey of a Lifetime

Crushing Over ... Grapes and You

The car came to a halt. They were at the Domaine Sigalas, one of the best wineries in Greece, known for the famed Assyrtiko grapes. Raq had booked a private wine tour for them followed by a wine and food pairing session with an award-winning sommelier. He had contemplated whether to drive himself or book a car to reach the vineyard on the outskirts of Oia, the picturesque city in Santorini, but settled for the latter option. Their tour was to end up with a wine lunch and he wasn't sure if he wanted to drive back with a gut flushed with the best Greek wines.

The long drive from their hotel in Santorini had been picturesque but all the horse-riding, trekking, long walks by the sea and late nights had taken a toll on Raq, resulting in vacation fatigue. He dozed off a couple of minutes into the drive leaving Shamz to enjoy the scenery alone. But with his head on her shoulder and hand on her waist she was forced to sit like a statue through the journey.

Shamz looked at her boyfriend's peaceful resting face and heart swelled with love and gratitude. Her love for him was more intense, more intoxicating and deeper than she had ever felt before. Seeing him sleeping peacefully, she thought of the way he tucked her under the covers every time and curved himself protectively around her back, holding her close to his heart even in sleep. She smiled and recalled how she loved him for all the times he cared for her. She placed her fingers on his bare chest, beneath the three open buttons of his powder blue shirt. She rubbed her thumb, tenderly, twirling his tiny chest hair. His rippled muscles under her palm.

She was filled with gratitude for all the times he stood by her, his outpouring of pure love and for all the effort and work he had put into their relationship to make it as beautiful as it was. She was grateful for all the gentle consideration he showed all the time, his deep understanding of her mind and idiosyncrasies, and the never give up attitude when the chips were low. But what she loved the most about him was the way he caught every desire of hers and tried to make it come true. Then whether it was to accompany her to an event he didn't feel like, taking mumma for dinner on a weekday, the unexpected long drive after a grueling day's work or organising a day at the vineyards grape stomping.

She remembered their conversation on a long drive one night back home. She'd told him about how she missed grape stomping in Tuscany by a whisker. She'd been invited to the grape stomping festivals in Nashik several times but she had wanted to experience the real thing. She expressed how she had often dreamt of visiting a countryside vineyard in Italy, Greece or Spain during the harvest--a grape stomping at an idyllic vineyard, with countryfolk, traditional folk music, sounds of the bagpipes et al. And here they were.

A long driveway covered with tall oak trees on either side led them to the vinery. A climb up a narrow stone bridge and they were at a large gate covered with foliage. Shamz ruffled her sleeping boyfriend's hair, affectionately, careful not to spoil them. She kissed his cheeks, "Get up, baby! We are at the vinery."

Raq woke up with a start. The long drive and Shams comforting touch and fragrance had lulled him to sleep. He woke up feeling rested in mind and body, excited about making the day special for the woman he loved.

It was a stunning location, several acres of land with rows of grape vines stretched out in front of them. Hand in hand the two walked towards an area that was buzzing with activity. Men and women in traditional Greek costumes-women in long, bright pinafore dresses with scarf-covered heads and men in loose shirts worn with loose baggy, balloon pants and cloth belts on the waist-sat singing and dancing . Massive oak barrels, almost five feet in width and height were kept on the side. They were covered with canvas cloth or gunny sacks.

A young man of about twenty-twenty one years-old, rushed towards them. He introduced himself as Yianis, the host for the evening, and the owner's son. After he gave them a brief description of the vinery and the event of the day he lead Raq and Shamz towards a huge oak barrel. They lifted the cover to see mounds of large-sized, burgundy-coloured grapes all ready to be crushed. "Keerios, this is your barrel of grapes." But pointing at a small barrel, he said, "You put grapes in this vat. You and the Mrs stomp it." Shamz gave a look to Raq and giggled. The small barrel was the size of a regular-sized bathing bucket. It seemed too small for the two of them. But Raq seemed unperturbed. He played along, "Both of us in such a small barrel? The Mrs needs her space." The guide laughed. In broken English he said, "Mrs need no space. She petite. You lift her in arms if she needs space," Yianis laughed as he put some grapes in the small bucket. The elderly women standing around them laughed. They signaled Shamz to lift her dress before getting into the vat to avoid getting grape juice on it.

Just then the air was filled with the sound of the drums and the tsampouna, the Greek version of bagpipe. The grape-stomping event at the harvest festival was off to a start. Six-seven other couples also entered their barrels and started stomping. Two were tourists like them but the rest seemed like locals.

Raq rolled up his white linen pants till his knees. He washed his feet in a vat of water of and entered the barrel filled with grapes. "Eeee, it's so squishy," he shrieked. Laughing, Shamz hitched up her dress to her thighs and after washing her feet entered the vat.

"Raq, we'll fall, this barrel is so small," she yelped holding on to his arms to avoid falling. "Come, closer, baby," he shouted to be heard over the music. He encircled Shamz's slender waist and drew her towards him, making sure she wouldn't fall. Blushing Shamz looked into Raq's eyes and then lowered them. She placed her hands on his chest, ensuring there was some distance between them. But he took her hands and put them on his shoulders and took a step closer to her. Pulling her into his arms he held her tight against his chest. He could hear the wild beating of Shamz's heart. The full length of their bodies was touching. "Baby, I will never let you fall-here or ever. We fit," he said, "like two peas in a pod and a bottle cork in a wine bottle," he whispered into her ears, burying his face in her hair, in public view. She tittered shyly and replied, "Baby, stop. We have a whole barrel of grapes to stomp. "

"Damn right we do," he said and both started stomping their feet, crushing the grapes. The red, gooey juice oozed out. A few moments later Raq and Shamz were sweating under the hot, summer sun. Sweat trickled down his temples. Shamz wiped it off with her hands first. A couple of minutes later the sweat was back. Shamz was earing a strappy loose dress but Raq's thick cotton shirt seemed to make him sweat more.

The other men had removed their shirts. Shamz asked Raq too, "Utaro, baby, it's too hot." She dabbed the shirt on his body to soak up the sweat and then Raq tossed it to a chair on the side. He stood shirtless, barely half an inch away from the woman who found him irresistible. His olive skin glistening under the sun, as they stomped away.

Shamz was cradled against his chest, her gorgeous face a mere inch from his. Every inch of his body tingled with awareness. Out in the sun, with her temples shining with sweat and hair blowing in the breeze Shamz looked nothing short of a Greek Goddess to him. Raq's heart was filled with love and care.

He loved her for always standing by him through his highs and lows, for steering him out of self-doubt and worry. He loved her for taking charge of him and his things for him-his diet, health, clothes and so much more. He loved her for the way she loved him.

He wanted to hold her and take care of her forever. He wanted to protect her from disappointments and heartaches that are a part and parcel of relationships. He wanted to hold her and love her like nobody had ever done before. He held her tight and ran his hands up her back. She belonged to him and his arms.

Having gone through the circle of life Raq wasn't sure if he was capable of giving himself to someone so whole-heartedly before he met her. But here he was-Shamz was the centre of his existence. Everything else seemed insignificant. He told her several times a day "I love you," yet he was unsure if Shamz or anyone else could comprehend his love for her. He ran his fingers through her hair as they continued stomping. His body crashed into hers, his chest grazed her bosom, and his thighs entwined with hers.

Unable to resist further he cupped her face in his palms and lowered his mouth to hers. She barely had time to figure out what just happened before his lips swooped down to claim hers. Shamz was aware of the crowd milling around them but instinctively her hands wrapped around his neck. Raq's left arm reached out to cradle the nape of her neck as the other held on to her waist. She pressed herself into him wholly, giving into her man and responding to his kiss. The moment seemed to have frozen in time for the two as they stood there devouring each other amidst a gathering.

A couple of minutes later Raq pulled himself back. aware of onlookers, only to realize that the others were busy with their own celebrations. They stood in the crowd alone. Raq finally uttered, "Baby, you are okay, na?" Shamz shut her eyes and nodded, dropping a kiss on his bare chest. "I don't think I realized it earlier. But I am falling for you all over again. The warm seas, sun-drenched white terraces, vineyards, fresh seafood, grape stomping and You. Could I have asked for more?" He tried going down on his knees but his knee ended up knocking against the rim of the barrel. He said, "I love you. Will you ...." Just then a loud cheer rent the air. Everyone around them was clapping. Raq and Sham turned to see the man in the barrel next to them was down on his knees, holding out a ring to his teary-eyed girlfriend proposing marriage. They clapped too and Shamz asked, "What were you saying, baby? Will I... what?" Raq stood up, kissed her on her cheek and said, "Will you stomp these grapes with me?"