Part 15 | Couple Hiking

KARTIK

" Sir, we reached Lucerne. " The driver said.

Lucerne, The town, with its well-preserved medieval core, elegant historic buildings, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland. It's an hour drive from Zurich.

It was 8 in the morning.

" Drive to Kriens " I instructed the driver. Kriens is a suburb of Lucerne.

" Can we go by Bus? " Naira asked me pointing at the public bus on the opposite side of the road.

But We have a damn car with a driver !

" Have you never travelled on a public bus? " She asked seeing my hesitation.

" Nope." Honestly I never had the need to board a public transport.

" Then we are going for sure! Come on. " The next second she got out of the car and ran across the Street.

" Naira " I called out but she had already crossed the road. I sighed and told the driver to leave.

" Kartikkk, come fast ! " She yelled waving her hands standing on the steps of the bus. The bus just began to leave and I hurried to get into the moving vehicle.

The things this girl makes me do.

We settled on our seat beside each other. I glared at her but she just giggled off.

It was a ten minutes drive to Kriens where our guide was waiting along with 5 other couples. One thing I learnt was How stubborn Naira can be and strangely I find myself agreeing to her, I simply couldn't deny her anything.

She sternly refused my idea of hiring a personal guide, didn't want even a single bodyguard to accompany us to Swiss. She justified saying she wanted to go on a trip like a ' normal ' person.

Whatever!

" Hello. I am Matteo Miller, you can call me Matt. I am your guide for Today. " The guide introduced himself. He was 6 feet tall, manly and probably should be a native of Swiss, his English was more of an Italian accent.

" I am Kartik and this is my wife. " I shook hands with him.

" Hi, I am Naira. " he gave a huge grin and out of nowhere gave her a quick hug.

What the...

" We are gonna have a great time and I will make sure of it, Bella!" Naira responded with a excited nod.

He called out for the other couples and instantly I pulled my wife close to me.

" You think he is a good choice for a guide? " I whispered in her ears.

I don't think so.

" Of course. Why? "She gave me a confused look. "He looks enthusiastic and involved. And I like his light brown hair. " She giggled and I gave her a 'duh' look as I shook my head.

" Welcome everyone! This trip to Mt. Pilatus is going to be something surreal and I am sure you are gonna love every minute of this with your better half. " Everyone cheered.

" So we are going to ascent the mountain on a 40 min cable car ride, enjoy the views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps. Let's start with the trip. Jump into your cable car everyone." every couple were given a separate cable car.

We got into the second last cable car and the last one, behind us was filled by Matt and one another slightly aged female guide.

Naira squealed excited and held my arms when we rose amidst the clouds to see the jaw dropping sight of Swiss alps.

The picturesque view of the snow capped mountains and the green patches of land never fails to give you goosebumps.

Even though I had already visited the mountain, it's not the same this time. Back then I couldn't just move my eyes away from the Alps, but this time.... This time I couldn't avert my eyes away from her.

This women right before my eyes, is grabbing my attention doing absolutely nothing but being herself.

I know she had never witnessed such sights before in her life, the way she saw everything in such awe, her eyes sparked with joy like that of a child who looks at his or her favourite candy.

I find myself desiring to hold her in my arms and see that beautiful smile on her face everyday.

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" Bellaaa!! How's the viewww? " I heard Matt yelling from his compartment.

" Awesoommeeeee " she yelled back with a laugh.

" Is it really important to ask this question in mid air? And What's with the 'Bella' ? ." I asked irritated by the interruption.

Bella? Is it some kind of a nickname? Whatever be it why is he calling her with that!

" No idea. Maybe he is finding it difficult to spell my name or something. " She shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

Finally the 40 mins cable car ride ended and we reached the summit of Mt. Pilatus.

I breathed in the fresh air as my feet touched the snow spread rocky terrain.

The next 2 hours passed by as we roamed around, capturing and enjoying sceneric views of peaks at a handful number of viewpoints.

These viewpoints had a number of restaurants and shops, for visitors never decreased in this land. There are even residential hotels for people who come here for long hikes and treks and preferred to spend the nights here.

There are several well-developed trails leading to the various panoramic peaks. It will be fun to go on a short, scenic hike with her.

I looked at Naira who was keenly listening to Matt as he said the history and interesting facts about Mt. Pilatus.

But I don't know if she will join me on a hike, specially because the so called 'Guide' seem to keep her engaged with his talks.

" Matt but what has this place got to do with dragons stories ? " Naira asked as we walked through the Dragon path that tells about the myths around this mountain.

" There are many legends and myths associated with the Pilatus. In the Middle Ages people believed that dragons with healing powers lived in the rugged clefts of the Pilatus. " Matt paused. " And you know Bella, Some say this was the place where dragons once breathed fire and ghosts howled. "

" Really!! " She was clearly amazed by all the stories.

" Is Bella some sort of Nick name here? " I asked the female guide who accompanied us.

" Bella means Beautiful in Italian " she clarified with a giggle.

No way in hell he is flirting with my girl !!

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NAIRA

We had our lunch in one of the restaurant outside a viewpoint.

" Naira? " Kartik called me.

" Will you join me for a short hike? " He asked uncertainly, pointing at the trials from the viewpoint.

" You want me to come? " I asked masking my excitement.

From the time we started today's outing he didn't really seem to be involved. He was simply okay to accompany me anywhere I called him, he wasn't even speaking much to me.

" Yeah. If you like... " He said a bit hesitant.

Why will I not!

" Let's go then. " I said tugging my backpack and his lip broke into a surprised smile.

The hike wasn't strenuous , it was more of like a walk with most of the trail paved. There were a few short climbs and a series of steps but it wasn't difficult.

We enjoyed the mountain scenery and drifted past the nearby cows, munching on grass, their bells creating a sort of alpine music. He shared his old memories of Swiss as we walked through the trails.

At the very end of the hike we walked on a rough, rocky trail but that was the interesting part of the hike where we walked so close to each other, hand in hand, tripping and laughing.

There was a small stream of water flowing across the path which can be crossed in around 10 steps but the water seemed cold.

" Do we really have to step into it? " I asked not liking the idea of stepping into the water.

" Nevermind, you aren't going to. " He replied and in the next moment he collected me in bridal style.

" Kartik what! " he cut me off with a wink and crossed the stream with me in his arms.

" The water was cold Kartik.... Why did you do that? " I questioned him, flabbergasted by his action.

" Why will I let my wife walk in cold waters on a snowy mountain when I am there with her? " He said looking at my eyes, his fingers running through my left cheek.

" Besides Mine are waterproof " he said pointing at his shoes.

" Come on we need to go. It's time! " He smiled at me and walked ahead.

Why are you so good with me Kartik!

-----------

" Guys, Time to descend the summit on the world's steepest cogwheel railway to Alpnachstad. Brace yourself for this adventure. " Matt said as we sat on our seats inside the train.

" You can come closer and hold me if you want...." I looked at Kartik. " I- I mean if you are scared.... This is your first time right so. "

" I see... " Teasingly I said, " that's so sweet of you but I am not scared and I will hold on to the railing here if I get scared. Don't worry. " He muttered something under his breath but I just chuckled.

The cogwheel train was spectacular. It crossed a fierce landscape with impressive rock walls at steep angles, having my heart beat at a crazy speed. It was pure adventure.

As the ride ended, I was still drowned in the adrenaline rush the ride gave me.

" Oh m-my goodness!!! That was absolutely thrilling " I laughingly told Kartik.

" So guys let's head on to the ending. " Matt clapped his hands gaining the attention of the couples.

" A panoramic one-hour yacht cruise ride across Lake Lucerne. Hop into the ship. " with that said everyone got into the 50 meter long spacious vessel.

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As the journey started, Matt was giving audio commentary about the history and local sights for about 15 minutes in multiple languages.

" Matt knows so many languages! " I said to Kartik surprised.

" That's why he works as a guide." He replied in a monotonous tone. He stood and walked to the frontier.

I grabbed two cold drinks from the drinks counter and walked up to him.

" Here. Have it. " I forwarded him a can. He mouthed a thanks and sipped on his drink. There was no one around us.

Watching the sunset on snowy Swiss Alps from the waters of Lake Lucerne was indeed romantic. I leaned on the railing just beside him relishing the winds.

" Did you enjoy today? " He asked.

" Very much. " I said with a grin.

" The last time I went on a cruise was at the age of 4. I don't actually remember that day but There is this photo in dad's album. I was sitting on my dad's shoulders with my mom resting her head on his arms as they watched the sunset. " I said remembering the picture. It's one of my favourite.

The cruise motored past forested hillsides and verdant meadows. Just the glimpse of the view was so serene.

I tilted my face sideways to see him staring at me with a relaxed smile.

" What! " I let out a small laugh. " Haven't you been looking at me too often today. " I have been noticing him all day.

" I am just enjoying the view. " He said making me blush.

" Is Mr. Oberoi flirting with a girl? " I laughed.

" Correction. With his wife. " he pecked my cheeks before he turned to return to his seat.

" Kartik? " I called out before he had even take a couple of steps.

He turned back towards me," yes naira. "

I just enveloped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest. For the first time I initiated a hug, like a proper complete one. I felt his body stiffening a bit but after a couple of seconds, he wrapped his arm around me and I leaned more into him.

He didn't ask anything, didn't say anything. We just stayed like that.

There was no exchange of words. A comforting silence surrounded us. All I could hear was only the sounds of the water beneath, the soft blowing winds.....

And his heart beat.

**************

Midnight Update !

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