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"Is this the way you love Samayara?" I asked her, pulling her as close as I could. She lifted her head to look me in the eyes before burying it in my chest again.
The Bronzeback Snake was painstakingly taking its time to slither away.
"Let me go, Evyaan," she said, rustling her feet. I instinctively pulled her even closer until she was hanging on her toes. The Bronzeback Snake isn't venomous but can still inflict pain if it feels threatened.
"Not until you tell me," I replied, my eyes still scanning the area for danger. Her breathing hitched as she slowly trailed her hands from my neck to my biceps and got back on her feet. The sudden loss of her touch gave me a cold jolt, as if I had lost a part of myself. She took a deep breath, which I could clearly feel on my chest.
"Evyaan, let me go. I've balanced myself," she said in a shaky tone as she noticed the snake slithered away.
The Bronzeback Snake was out of the area, no longer posing a danger, so I slowly loosened my grip. The sudden realization of emptiness hit me with another wave of disappointment for not being able to stay like that forever.
"Vedika di often enjoys camping in the mountains or Lonavala, and I've joined her a few times to learn about a variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes. The one that crossed our path wasn't particularly harmful, but it could have been if it sensed danger from us," I explained before she could ask anything.
"What would have happened if that snake had attacked us?" she asked.
"Then I would have thrown you on my shoulder and let it bite me. It was non-venomous anyway," I joked.
"I'm not that lightweight and fragile," she retorted.
"It's not about that. If one of us had to get hurt, let it be me," I replied. Her gaze shifted from me, a fleeting sense of belonging visible, which changed as we reached the flower field.
To call her excited would be an understatement. Samayara dropped her bag and dashed into the flower field, her hair flowing in the wind, her bunny teeth and wide smile making an appearance—something I can never get enough of.
Despite the beautiful view before me, my eyes were still glued to her. I'm so thankful to witness this moment and her happiness. If beauty had a meaning, it's this moment right now. Seeing her happy is the best view I can ask for.
"You know, Evyaan, this is like a dream come true. I've always, always dreamed of a place like this," she shouted from a distance. It was perhaps the first time I had seen her so carefree and bubbly since I've known her.
My heart raced, and my breath caught as her smile blossomed, more beautiful than any flower. She handed me her phone hesitantly, and I took it quickly to ease her worries. She smiled again before walking away, turning back.
"I think a video would be even cooler!" I exclaimed, and she nodded. As she wandered the field, I followed, capturing the moment. She often smiled at the camera, and I used my phone to take pictures simultaneously. Everything felt like heaven, and she looked like an angel who had descended to save me.
