When Silver Met Gold

Chapter 23 - You're My What?

Reason is powerless in the expression of love. -Rumi

The hill we were earlier on was too tiny compared to the one where Aaliyan brought me. He drove for about an hour through the roads, going up towards the mountain. At one point, I was sure this was my end and the car was going to roll and crash. Thank goodness, Aaliyan made it. By the look on his face, it was no deal for him.

Of Course! We are going to his home. He is used to driving on these inclines!

Our destination was a mansion situated on the hill. The huge gates to the mansion opened by a guard present in the cabin inside. Aaliyan parked the car outside the gates. Asking me to get out; he got out of the car.

The guard came running to Aaliyan, "Assalam o Alaikum Aaliyan baba!"

"Wa Alaikum salam, Peeru, yeh car park kardo please!" Aaliyan said with a kind smile. The guard nodded enthusiastically, taking the car keys from Aaliyan.

Aaliyan turned to me, "Let's go." Taking my hand into his, he walked around the boundary walls of the mansion. We walked on a rocky path, covered with snow. Aaliyan carefully watched me to not to trip.

"Why did he call you baba? Asmat calls his father Baba." I questioned, showing my confusion.

"Hm, it's a way of calling someone with love and respect. Mostly Baba is used to addressing fathers or grandfathers. I used to call my grandfather Baba, Baba Jani."

"Oh," I nodded.

Finally, we reached our destination. Aaliyan bowed, showing me the view. "I came here a few hours ago and did this." A huge grin plastered on my face.

The sky was full of stars. The moon smiled down at us through the veil of fog. There was a tent on the corner, fire, and a Barbecue stand. I could not comprehend what I was feeling; it was bliss, a feeling of being a significant part of the universe. I felt special.

"I thought stars were not for me," tears accumulated in my eyes, I tried to blink them away, failing terribly.

"You deserve the stars, the planets, and the whole bloody universe." Aaliyan picked the tear on his fingertips.

I laughed, between the tears, "Aren't you being a little extra today?"

"Whatever you say, I'm not stopping my lady!" He was high.

I strode towards the tent. It was of green color, yellow light emitting from inside it. The fire eventually moved by the gust of wind. Smoke was coming out of the Barbecue stand. I assumed, the Barbecue was either already cooked or Aaliyan was going to.

"Our cook made it," Aaliyan read my expressions and explained. "Let's sit and eat."

We both went to the tent and sat outside it on a matt, near the fire.

"Where is the food?" I was hungry, and I needed something to eat. Aaliyan granted my wish by going inside the tent and bringing a dish back. Smoke and a delicious smell of Barbecue swirled in the wind.

Aaliyan put the dish down. It was too much for both of us but smelling the mouthwatering aroma, I predicted it was going to be empty in no time.

Aaliyan, remembering, took something out of his pocket and waved it in front of me.

"You had a hot sauce bottle in your pocket all this time?" I chuckled.

"Yes!" He huffed proudly, I face-palmed at his man's innocence.

"This is Chicken tikka, Siji, Shami kabab, Malai Boti..." He went on telling me the names of the dishes. Not giving heed to him, I dig in with my hands, it was hot but I was impatient. Aaliyan laughed then joined me.