Encounter - A RaYa Journey

Chapter - 2

Cuba was his first international trip and solely arranged by his own hard-earned money. Ram had been planning this trip for a long time now. This was a destination which was unexplored by many people, the city's natural beauty was still intact and he didn't want to miss out on this opportunity.

Ram had worked very hard and earned a managerial position in his last job. He used all his saving for this trip yet he couldn't hide the smile from his face as he strolled around the city, taking pictures of the locals going about their daily lives, with his old black and white film camera.

While strolling through the backstreets of Cuba, he stumbled upon a huge empty house. He quietly let himself through the open gate and wandered inside to find a lush, expensive backyard.

The house was really huge but the green garden was what stole his attention. He took pictures of the scene before him, a huge smile adorning his face.

"Isn't she beautiful?" a man asked from behind, entering the path.

"Yes, it's really beautiful" Ram managed to say smiling slightly "Oh! I am sorry for entering your place without permission Sir" he added an apology to the old man before him.

"It's okay my friend. This place will be sold in some days and it's just an old garden" he said sitting on the chair.

"It may be old but you have maintained it quite well, sir," ram said astonished by the beautiful garden.

"Well, it was the garden of my wife. The love began here and was completed here. This is the only thing I have of her"

"If you don't mind, can I ask you something?" Ram questioned. The man nodded asking him to go ahead.

"Why are you selling this place? I mean, you said this was your wife's garden, don't you want to keep it for yourself?"

The man laughed "You are a very kind person, my friend. I do understand what you mean, and don't worry the company who is buying this estate has promised to keep this garden as it is."

Ram smiled looking at the man. He looked around the garden and took a deep breath. He was a kind of guy who found joy and beauty in even the smallest thing.

*****

"Excuse me, it's very dangerous to text while you are driving?" Neha told the driver, worry grazing her face. The driver started talking on the phone ignoring her words.

"Excuse me, sir! Can you keep your phone down?" Neha told sternly?

"I had told you to get a responsible driver. We don't want to get in trouble while in another country" Priya informed from the backseat, focusing on her presentation.

"Yes, I was told he was okay. Don't worry we will get another driver while returning" Neha assured her.

Neha was very annoyed with the driver who was still talking on the phone, and sure enough, he nearly hit a pedestrian walking on the road and swerved the car. It slammed into the café right at the roadside. A café where Ram happened to be sitting, it missed him by an inch. Luckily Ram was fine, but his camera wasn't. The viewer and the lens of the camera were slightly damaged.

Neha turned around her seat to check on Priya "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Priya was shocked at what happened just now "What the hell Neha! Couldn't you have checked before hiring this driver" she was angry, she was furious. Priya looked up and saw the man who was nearly hit. His shirt was ruined with whatever he was drinking before the accident happened.