Painfully yours

Pardesi.

Xavier's P.O.V.
__________

The flight had landed and our luggage was already sent to the hotel. Arya's father was promptly handling everything, and we were all driven to the river bank called Dashashwamedh ghaat. Arya claimed that the Aarti would start in just a few minutes and said that it was the most beautiful thing. She described how all the priest's actions are synchronised and performed in each direction. The entire ritual commences and concludes with the blowing of conch shells (Shankha) to sanctify the atmosphere. It's such a distinctive sound and creates a very atmospheric moment as it echoes around the ghat and across the great Mother Ganga. The Aarti ceremony symbolically offers one's entire existence and all facets of material creation to Mother Ganga.

Every day, as dusk descends around the world, the ghats of the River Ganga witness a spectacular ceremony. Several earthen lamps, chants, the fragrance of incense, flowers, and musical instruments create an ambiance of divine bliss. The Aarti ritual holds high religious significance, with fire being used as an offering to the river. To truly comprehend its grandiose, one needs to witness the event.*

I felt ecstatic standing behind Arya, still holding the charm from her dupatta. I couldn't stop playing with it, as if it held immense meaning to me. But I couldn't understand what it was reminding me of even in this serenity.

What the fuck is it?

As I sat in my hotel room, trying to focus on my pending work, my mind kept wandering back to the dinner with Arya and her family. The pleasant evening had left a lasting impression on me, and I couldn't help but think about Arya's face, her graceful body, and the way her dupatta fluttered in the wind. Her infectious smile played in my mind like a never-ending loop.

Feeling restless and missing the sound of her voice, I decided to take a break from work and visit Arya in her room. I knocked on her door, and to my surprise, she opened it quickly, gasping when she saw me. We exchanged brief assurances, careful not to draw any attention from her parents, and she swiftly locked the door behind her.

With a sense of secrecy, Arya led me to the balcony and I hugged her from the back squeezing her small frame into mine. Bells audible in distance.I had missed the feel of her head against my face. I held her tight as we both stood gazing up at the sky. Her scent filled my soul. The cool evening breeze brushed against our faces as we enjoyed each other's company in the quiet serenity of the night. She said nothing but her heavy breathing was evident.The stars sparkled above us, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for our stolen moments together.

All I could hear were her shallow breaths. I closed my eyes feeling her skin placing light kisses on her cheeks and her eyes that were closed. In that peaceful moment, time seemed to stand still. It was just Arya and me, sharing an unspoken connection under the vast expanse of the night sky. The silence between us spoke volumes, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment and joy.

As we stood there, lost in our thoughts, I realized how fortunate I was to have crossed paths with Arya. Her presence brought a sense of tranquility and happiness into my life, and I cherished every moment we spent together, even if it was just stolen moments like these on a balcony.  We retreated towards the bed and she emerged wearing a similar outfit but it looked more comfortable than her previous suit. She lay on the bed and I lay diagonal hugging her stomach. She flinched slightly before settling down her breathing and fondled my hair almost instantly falling asleep. Even though I had planned on returning to my room, I fell asleep too.

-

I woke up early to the familiar feeling of Arya shaking me gently. I had grown quite fond of her morning wake-up calls. Looking at her the first thing in the morning was a dream come true.