Ethereal: Eternal Echoes

21

Smriti

I woke to the gentle hum of the airplane, my eyes fluttering open to a sight I hadn't fully absorbed before-there he was, Ishan, asleep beside me. His face was serene, framed by those dark brown locks that fell so effortlessly over his forehead. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of emotions as I observed him from this close proximity. It was a rare moment of peace and vulnerability for him, and it was oddly intimate.

For a moment, I lost myself in his peaceful expression. This was the first time in a long while that I had the chance to study him so closely-since the days of school when we shared so much, and then those months when everything seemed so impossible. Now, seeing him so unguarded and calm made me blush. The reality that this sleeping beauty was soon to be my husband brought a mix of excitement and anxiety.

A flashback of the past surged through me-memories of betrayal and heartbreak, of the times when our worlds seemed so starkly different. My heart ached at the thought of what had once been, and the worry about what could be. Yet, I pushed these thoughts away, trying to focus on the present, on the potential that lay ahead, however uncertain it might be.

As I was packing up my small stuffs, the announcement over the intercom drew my attention. "We will be landing shortly at Agra. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for arrival." The words jolted me from my reverie, and I turned to gently wake Ishan.

He stirred with a groan, his eyes slowly opening to meet mine. There was a brief moment of confusion before recognition set in, and he blinked at me, disoriented but smiling. "Morning," he murmured, stretching his arms.

"Good morning," I said, my voice soft. "We're landing soon. I thought I'd wake you up."

Ishan nodded, sitting up and running a hand through his tousled hair. "Thanks. I guess we'll be arriving in Agra in a bit." His voice was still thick with sleep, but there was a hint of the familiar arrogance and charm behind it. "By the way, what's the time?" he asked.

I looked at my watch and replied, "2:50 am"

The plane descended, and the familiar sights of Agra began to come into view. Ya, we landed on the Kheria Airport at Agra which was the closest one to Vrindavan. 55 kilometers. I found myself feeling a sense of anticipation mixed with trepidation. This trip, which was meant to bring us closer, was also filled with uncertainties.

As we prepared to disembark, I couldn't shake the fluttering nerves and excitement. Ishan, being the ever-efficient person he was, had his things packed and ready quickly. I followed suit, trying to maintain a sense of calm despite my inner turmoil.

We met with our driver, who was waiting with a sign bearing our names. The ride to our accommodation was smooth, and I found myself observing the landscape, the traditional architecture, and the people, all with a sense of wonder. This was a place so deeply entwined with spirituality, a stark contrast to the corporate world we both inhabited. It took us more than 30 minutes to reach the hotel.

Vrindavan was bustling with activity. The air was filled with the blend of excitement and spirituality that marked this holy city. Ishan and I made our way through the terminal, and as we stepped outside, the warm sunlight greeted us, along with a gentle breeze carrying the faint aroma of incense.

Upon arrival at our hotel, we were greeted warmly by the staff. Ishan took charge of the check-in process while I glanced around, taking in the serene environment. The hotel's decor was a beautiful blend of traditional and modern, reflecting the spirit of Vrindavan.

After settling into our room and freshening up, we headed to the ISKCON temple for the morning aarti, a key highlight of our visit. He wore a light pink kurta and paired it with a white dhoti. I wore a pink salwaar suit in order to twin with him.