Her Vocation

3. The Chance Encounter

"Excuse me. Can you take me to Serena Hotel?'' I asked a cab driver outside the Gilgit Airport in Urdu wondering if he would understand.

"Of course Maam. Please sit, it's not that far from here.'' he replied politely.

I sat down in the back seat while the taxi driver helped with my luggage. 

"Are you here for the blossom tour? It's that time of the year, so many tourist come here from round the world, many from other cities too." The driver commented driving towards the hotel. 

''No, I am not here for a tour." I replied impassively.

''Oh! For work then! I see!'' he returned excitedly, coming to conclusions on his own. I didn't bother correcting him, just removed the sunglasses from my face and put them on my head. I don't know why I was here either. Maybe, I just wanted to do something for myself, before I am dead.

"We are here Maam." The driver called out, looking through the rearview mirror. He was a young man possibly in his mid twenties. He had got the ethnic beautiful features and coloured eyes like this place's natives. I handed him the fare and got out but shortly afterwards he came running after me.

"You forgot your change Maam." He stated, handing me back my change. I looked quizzically at him and then the money in my hand. In the end I kept the money with a slight nod. He gave me a small dimply smile and said salaam in return. He had turned to leave when I called out.

"Wait." He stopped and turned to me with a confused look on his face.

''Whats your name?'' I found myself asking.

"Sher Khan, Maam." He returned unfazed.

"Sher Khan, huh? I am Aasiya. If I wanted to do some sight seeing, can you be my guide?" His face took on a look of surprise.

"I will pay you of course." I added after a pause. He looked bewildered for a moment before nodding to himself as if coming to a decision.

"I am not really a guide, but you are our mehman (guest). So I will be happy to be of service." He said smiling a bit bashfully. I couldn't help but smile myself and after nodding him a thanks, I took his number. I don't know if I will use it but maybe someday—

I left the thought incomplete and started walking towards my hotel.

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After resting a bit and having my lunch, I decided to step out. It was getting too cooped up in here while outside a breath-taking scenery awaited me. I walked for a few miles aimlessly, keeping a note of my surroundings. I wouldn't want to get lost here already. While wandering I stumbled upon a beautiful lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Everything was so beautiful that I felt myself relaxing as I eased myself on the grass. It was so quiet and peaceful. I found myself getting lost in the melody of the valley. The sound of lake soothed my wounded soul.

"Aah." I can live here forever. I thought lying back on the grass and closed my eyes. It felt like someone was placing cold healing pack on my heated existence. I stayed like that for a while until I noticed a woman carrying two baskets full of fruits. One was placed on her head and she balanced the other in her hands. She looked like a native, judging from her clothes. She was an extremely beautiful lady maybe in her late thirties? Her skin was pale without sign of wrinkles and the veil on her head fell back slightly to reveal her brown hair shining golden in the setting sun. She walked with the grace of a ballerina. I couldn't take my eyes off of her until she crossed me. For a while, I sat numb in my place until something pushed me to go after her. I ran the short distance between us and came to stand beside her.