“I am loving this!” Jasmine yells, her arms stretched out wide letting the wind consume her. Her scarf fluttered widely in the wind as she held onto it tightly.

Stella leaned forward on her Enfield Enfield, increasing her speed. Behind her, Jasmine squeaked in excitement — she looks carefree and moreover happier.

I adjust my grip on the backseat while Liam is the one riding the bike. He seems to be focused on racing with Stella who is riding the other bike — he was absolutely letting her win.

I am glad that Liam, Stella and Charlie were able to land safely and on time. Especially after last night's incident, I knew Jasmine would need some comfort and support which comes from them.

Now that Charlie is here, Jasmine would miss him less or else her longing for him was evident. I suggested Liam to bring buddy along but he said that buddy gets anxious while travelling so they couldn't bring him and sent him to mom.

The idea was Jasmine's too, going on a ride on these Royal Enfield bikes — that's what Jasmine called them. Apparantly, Nikhil and Veer brought them for fun but Nikhil was busy with something so she was able to bring them for the day.

Stella and Liam do have an International driving permit, so it wouldn't be a problem for them to drive. Jasmine and I have no idea on operating bikes, hence it was Stella and Liam who are navigating us.

The palace was left far behind us — the vaste green fields that were along sides of the road. The sun was warm and shining high and the wind today happened to be wild.

The road was mostly empty away from the crowded city area. Stella was on the left side of the road while Liam on the right, trailing behind her.

“Be Careful, Freckles!” Liam calls out, watching the girls go very ahead of us. I don't think they caught his voice because of the distance. He shakes his head and increases his speed.

I had to hold onto his shoulder for support — if it wasn't for Jasmine then I would have never gotten onto this risky thing.

“You alright back there?” Liam asks, looking at me over his shoulder. I sigh, tightening my grip on the videocamera “I am trying my best”

He chuckles and nods “Well continue to try” he says and without a warning he suddenly picked up the speed. I almost yelp at the impact of wind gushing through us.

Finally, we were able to match with the girls. They didn't even notice us in their own enjoyment. “Love, please slow down” Liam requests, his eyes darting from Stella to the road continuously.

Stella glances at him, her grin widens into a mischievous one. “Why? Can't keep up with me?” She asks, the air carrying her teasing tone.

“Oh I very well can. But it would be better if we keep it in limits? Yeah?” He asks for understanding, looking at Jasmine too. It's kinda surprising to hear him talk about limits — a few years back, Liam used to ride with outmost craze.

Now his priorities has changed.

“Alright, only because you asked me” Stella replies, her expressions softens. Liam gives her a smile, his shoulders relaxes now. He let Stella and Jasmine be head of us while he quietly followed. They both were having a private conversation which neither of us wanted to intrupt

The gentle hum of engine along with the breeze creates a memorable atmosphere.

I let go of Liam's shoulder and zoom the lense to her direction. Capturing how the wind catches her open hair, how she cardes her finger through them to removes the strands that falls over her face.

She changed into this bright pink coloured top — short kurti with baggy jeans. I don't think I have ever seen her wear pink in a very long time. But that colour melts with her skin like chocolate. Her tiny silver jhumkas and bangles which chimed with the movements.

She leaned forward, catching her reflection in the mirror — messy hair, flustered cheeks and eyes wide with reckless joy.

It wasn't just a ride

It was a reminder of being alive.

A bright smile forms over her face as she listens to something Stella says. Her arms wrapped around Stella's waist securely and her chin resting on Stella's shoulder.

They both stuck with each other like glue.

Though deep down I wished it was me who was riding with her.

She threw her head back, soft laughter bubbling through her. It wasn't loud enough for me to hear it over the rumble of the bikes, but I didn't need to hear it.

I felt it

She glanced over her shoulder and caught me filming

She wasn't surprised, she was used to it

I expected her smile or wave at me — but she winked at me and then blew me a kiss.

I almost dropped the camera.

Liam laughed out loud because of course he saw it “You alive there, buddy?” He asks — his tone half playful and half teasing. “Barely” I mutter, continuing to film her.

We rode for a while. It was Jasmine who was guiding us as we had no idea about the directions or places. It was an open landscape, just endless fields of wildflowers. A few vendors strolling at the sides or buffaloes that walk by.

“Guys! Over there!” Jasmine calls out, waving at a roadside stall. We didn't even get to react and Stella was already pulling over. Liam parks his bike along with Stella's and we both get off. He jogged to Stella who was already discussing what to order.

The vendor was half asleep but perked up when he heard us. We all gather around the stall like overgrown children. It was a small stall with rainbow coloured syrups lined up in front.

“What is this?” I ask, closing my camera and putting it back into my bag. I study the big block of ice that was slowly melting and the chunk of saved ice which was glistening under the sunlight.

“Baraf ka golla. Like shaved ice? We put flavoured syrup on popsicles and eat in summer” Jasmine explains. Her face lit up with excitement “There are many flavours, kala khatta, rose, cola, lemon, strawberry”

Liam and I look at each other, debating internally if we should eat these or not.

“I will take the strawberry!” Stella announces. Upon hearing her, Liam steps closer to her “I will take the same then” He adds. I know he wouldn't have rejected it as Stella was already taking it.

“Do you wanna try?” Jasmine asks, glancing at me. I almost reject her offer — looking at the overly surged syrups and that open ice. But the way she looks at me — her gaze hopefully that I give it a try.

I let out a sigh of defeat “Alright. What do you suggest?”

Her smile widens at my acceptance “Kala Khatta! It's my favourite!”

It's my favourite too then.

I raise my eyebrow at her preference. While the name indicates it's related to something black coloured — I don't wanna assume beforehand. “I will have the same”

She turns to the vendor, placing the order. He quickly gets onto the work — grabbing a glass and filling it with ice, he stabs a stick in between before pouring a black-bluish coloured syrup on it.

I lean closer trying to get a better look of how he is making it. Usually I have seen shaved ice in bowls, not like popsicles.

Jasmine passes us our respective glasses filled with the syrup and the ice placed on top of it. My eyes narrows taking in the syrup dipped ice — this is not my type.

Stella already started to taste her's

I step forward, keeping my glass on the edge of the stall and pull out a hundred rupees note before Jasmine could pay.

“No way! It was my idea so I am paying!” She protests, trying to grab the note. I lift my hand up taking it out of her reach “Too late, milaya”

I quickly pay for it — luckily I researched about India’s currency difference and surprisingly the shaved ice is quite cheap.

“I could have paid for it” Jasmine says, her nose scrunched in annoyance.

“You definitely can but I wanted to” I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly, watching the guy push his stall away.

“Unbelievable” She mutters, turning away from me. I couldn't help but smile at her stubborn reaction.

Under the warm weather all stand together near our bikes while enjoying this flavoured ice. “Oh it's been so long since I had this!” Jasmine says to Stella while sucking onto the ice.

She laughs softly at something Stella says, I couldn't even hear her response — busy in admiring her carefree expressions.

Her lips were stained with the same colour as her syrup. The shade that looked like temptation and sin on her soft lips. A drop of syrup slides down the corner of her lip. Her tongue darts out to lick off the syrup.

I might have momentarily forgotten how to breath

I should not be obsessed with crushed ice and artificial colour

But it wasn't that

It was her

The way her lips curled around the ice. How her eyes fluttered close while she savoured the flavour. The way the sugar dripped on her lips made me wanna taste it directly from the source.

My hand twitched

I wanted to kiss her so badly

I could already feel how cold her lips would be, tasting sweet and tangy. If I could just pull her aside, just for a moment? Kissing her slow and stupid until that ice melts?

But I couldn't. Unfortunately. Not now

I just looked away, trying to divert my mind off my wild thoughts. I take a big bite out of the ice — instantly feeling a brain freeze and coughing at the impact.

Jasmine's attention diverts back to in a few seconds, her eyes widened. She fetches a napkin from her pocket and gives it to me  “Lucas! It's not ice cream to bite like that!” She scolds

I nod, taking a few deep breaths to warm my lungs. I take the napkin and wipe my mouth “Yeah, I was in a hurry!”

Liam and Stella giggles watching us.

“What's so funny?” Jasmine asks

Stella shrugs her shoulders while leaning against Liam “I don't know? Maybe the fact that a few weeks ago you guys used to he at each other's throats and now you both can't even eat properly unless the other one ate”

I blink

My eyes slowly drift to Jasmine who is also looking at me — both of us blushing. The truth in her words hits me deep inside. A small smile forming on our lips at the realization.

We finished our baraf ka gollas — Jasmine forbade me from calling it shaved ice. Our fingers sticky, stained tongues and cool stomachs. We cleaned up everything and our hands.

“Look at that!” Jasmine pats on stella's shoulder, pointing at something. Our gaze follows the direction of her finger — a wide field of wild flowers, yellow and white scattered across the green lush of grass.

God has tossed paint on earth, filling it up with wonders

It's a wonderful place for me. Filled with colours. I mostly painted in black and white for long but looking at this scenario with Jasmine on my mide — colours doesn't seem bad at all

“Photo time?” Stella asks with a grin

“Well obviously!” Jasmine replies with a matter of fact.

Liam and I exchange a glance, knowing full well what's about to happen. The girls were already making their way through the field towards the tree in the centre — the branches spread widely like it had been standing there for years.

We both follow them. Already fetching for our devices to be their personal photographers.

I pull out my video camera, already recording her candids before she could even start posing.

She spins around, laughing softly while her hands brushing over the flowers.

My heart didn't stand a chance in front of her.

After a few minutes, we began clicking their pictures. While Liam was the photographer, I took the videos. It was chaotic — single images, some aesthetics, group photos, blurry selfies and dreamy videos.

“I think Liam and I will go on a mini ride. To spend some time together, okay?” Stella announces suddenly, already dragging Liam with her. I frown in confusion at their retreat but that confusion converts into realisation when Stella gives me a look

‘We are leaving. Don't miss the chance’

They left us

Just me, Jasmine and these endless fields.

Jasmine turned to me, her eyes wide and excited with never wavering energy “Your true!” She swats my arm and dashes away. I couldn't even realise what she was doing until she was already near the tree.

“Milaya!” I call softly, chasing behind her. Her hair bouncing back, she looked over her shoulder with a smile — daring me to catch her. Her bangles colliding with eachother, creating a rythmic sound.

“You ain't getting away that easily!” I ran after her, keeping my pace minimal but she was fast and long gone. She was fast, very fast — I give her that.

She ran in zig zag motioto confuse me — or just trying not to step on the flowers. I increase my speed, almost reaching for her scarf — she yelped trying to run away but couldn't.

I catch her by her waist in one swift motion, pulling her back against my back. “Lucas!” She squealed and giggled, kicking her feet when I picked her up.

She looks at me, breathless from running. My grip tightens on her waist as if trying to blend her against me. Her gaze drops to my lips, just for a second and I swear I nearly lose it.

She pulls back slightly, already making me miss her “Should we sit?” She asks, a smile lingering on her lips while she caressed my cheek. I nod, kissing her wrist, my thumb lingers on her pulse before releasing her. She leans back against the tree while removing her sandals to sit down.

I sigh softly and sit down “We gotta wait until they come back” I say while recording the field. Without Stella and Liam we couldn't go back, I don't know how long they will take.

The fields were still magnificat to me. The sunlight streaming through the tree, the soft rustling of leaves due to the breeze. The grass and wildflowers swaying in different directions.

I slowly move my camera taking in every beautiful scenario I could capture and then my eyes lands in her.

“How does it look?” Jasmine asks, tucking a small white flower behind her ear. She tilts her head, letting the wind carry her hair on her face. She smiled so softly, so gently that it tugged my heart.

She turns her face slightly towards the sun. Her skin catching the golden lights, covering her in soft glow.

“Can you come closer?” I ask, setting the camera aside. My heart hammering in my chest as I feel her scooty closer. She blinks at me curiously “Why?”

“Turn around”

She shrugs her shoulders, not questioning my intentions. She moved back, turning slightly so her back was facing me. I gather her hair together, combing my hand through her hair.

Jasmine looks over her shoulder “You are braiding my hair?” She asks, sounding amused and charmed.

“I am attempting to” I reply, dividing her hair into three sections “No promises, I ain't that good at it”

She chuckles softly, pulling her knees to her chest. “It's okay, I will like it anyways”

I smile at her trusted words. I began twisting her hair carefully into a pattern. Adding tiny flowers between each section. Choosing the one that are clean and bloomed perfectly.

“You are quiet” She notes

“I am concentrating” I mutter, my eyes not leaving her hair. My hands gentle and slow, avoiding to mess this up. My eyes trails down when I almost finish the braid — noting the slight curls at the ends. Her hair have always been straight unless she curled them.

“Did you curl your hair today?”

She shakes her head slowly, preventing the flowers from falling down. “I haven't touched a curler in months.” She reveals

She tilted her head, looking at the sun “Maybe it's the humidity?”

I blink in surprise, my heart skipping a beat at the realisation. I smile stretched across my lips, slow and involuntarily. “Maybe” I mumble but I know that's not it.

I would have never believed the theory if it wasn't about her.

I resume braiding her hair, weaving slowly now, more tenderly — taking my time in selecting the perfect flowers for her. She didn't protest or move instead she was humming softly — enjoying this moment.

Maybe it wasn't just about styling her hair with flowers.

Her soft hum were the whisper of things she haven't confessed it

I finish braiding her hair and secured it with a twist of grass — it wasn't the most secure method but temporarily enough. “Done” I whisper, pressing a kiss on the side of her head.

She touches her hair with her fingertips gently. Her eyes widens and she lets out a gasp “Oh gosh it feels perfect!” She exclaims pulling out her phone to look at herself.

She admires herself while gushing over her hair.

And I admire her.

Her eyes flickers to mine, a shift of emotions crossing them. I barely had time to react when she leaned in closer, pressing her forehead against mine.

Everything around us fades away.

I could feel the warmth of her skin, the way her hand found mine, intertwining without hesitation. Her eyes flustered close as she whispered

softly “My heart feels at ease when I am with you”

I smile,my thumb brushing across her knuckles. She slowly opens her eyes — they held something deeper than I could guess. She tilts her head slightly, cupping my face.

“Aap se mahobbat hone lagi hai”