White clouds floated in a pool of crimson and gold. The sun slowly climbed from behind the mountains and chased away the darkness. A cool breeze bathed the city. Trees swayed and birds resumed their flight.  It was a pleasant morning. Everything seemed beautiful. Jeeva drove on the partially empty road, his lips circled in a sullen pout. A whiff of wind made a mess of his hair. He rolled the windows up and switched the air conditioner on.  "It's a bright morning, Jeeva. Roll the windows down and let the air play with your senses." His boss Mukunda’s gruff voice brought his mind back on track. "The whirring noise disturbs me. I feel like a thousand mosquitoes are buzzing in my ears at the same time," spoke Jeeva while keeping an eye on the road.  The boss narrowed his eyes and guffawed.  "You sound boring. You need to get out more." The boss rolled one of the window's down and let his hand flutter freely. That was his boss Mr. Mukunda. A plain-spoken man, a disciplinarian at work, and an adventurer at heart. While Jeeva loved to spend his weekends cooped up on his couch, Mukunda loved to explore the unseen and unknown. During one of the meetings, Mukunda had spoken about his bucket list, his eyes shining with passion. The revelation that most of the items on the list were ticked left Jeeva surprised. How did a workhorse like him find the time to even compile a list let alone fulfil them? He had mentioned in passing that visiting the Shiva temple atop the Parvathamalai hill remained unfulfilled. "It would be great if one of you could join me." His eyes carefully scanned the team.  From behind the silver-rimmed spectacles, he guessed the thoughts that crossed their minds and maybe even made a mental note of his observations. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Jeeva offered to join him. Just like that, out of the blue, he had put himself in the line of fire.  'He is a busy man. I'm sure he will forget about this," Jeeva placated himself. But if anything, Mukunda was gritty. He caught Jeeva in the parking area the previous evening and mentioned, "I hope you are ready for tomorrow?" "Tomorrow. Is there any..." Jeeva was baffled. Mukunda peered at him and he felt disoriented. Did he forget something? Was there any client meeting? He had to act mindfully.  "About the proposal, I'm yet to come up with something useful. I will.." Jeeva stopped midway. "Relax mister, I was talking about the weekend trek," Mukunda cleared the air. Without giving it another thought, Jeeva answered, "I'm all set, sir." Ignoring the tiny beads of perspiration that formed on his forehead, he watched as his boss got into the car and zoomed off. Thoughts about the impending doom gnawed at him the whole night and he didn’t sleep a wink.  He looked at his red-rimmed eyes in the rearview mirror. Everyone in his team tried their best to impress Mukunda. But he went the extra mile. He willingly became the sacrificial goat. Was the promotion and hike worth his life? Images of his suffocating, pocket-sized cubicle floated before him. He felt his colleague Meena stare at him from the adjacent cubicle. Thoughts about her noisy laughter, endless questions, and choking perfume made him shudder. "It's worth it," he blurted. "What is?" asked Mukunda and he fell silent.  Mukunda fidgeted with the radio.  "A sunny morning, cool breeze. long drive and Rahman music. Isn't it a perfect combination?" he smiled. Jeeva nodded. He preferred Netflix, pizza, and his comfy bed. But he chose not to offer his opinion. "You seem reticent. From whatever interaction we have had in the past few years, I mistook you for a flamboyant extrovert." Mukunda's words stunned him.  He paused for a few seconds and realigned his thoughts. "Those were official meetings, sir. We have not had any personal interactions so far." Jeeva tried to cushion the blow.  The boss burst into laughter, his body shaking from head to toe.  "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..." Jeeva felt sick. 'This is a wrong idea. I shouldn't have volunteered.’ He felt like he was cursed.  "No, you are right. I like your straightforward approach," Mukunda patted his shoulder.  He coughed out the air bottled in his lungs.  "The trek will help us in getting to know each other better," said Mukunda.  He thought of an appropriate response when Rahman came to his rescue. The boss got busy.  His phone chimed.  "How's the trek? What's our boss saying? Did you check the place? Do you know its height?" Messages from his colleagues poured in. But he ignored them.  They were right. He didn't do his homework. Checking the place beforehand would have helped him prepare but it would have left him apprehensive too. So, he thought ignorance was the best choice. As the famous saying went it might bring him bliss. "Would you like to stop for coffee?" Mukunda broke the awkward silence. "Oh, sure," he answered.  He searched for a restaurant on the phone when Mukunda said, "Pull over." The nutty fragrance refreshed him. It was a roadside stall. But the crowd spoke about the quality of coffee.  "But this is a roadside stall." He looked confused. "I love these small and rustic ones. Those high-end restaurants and overpriced coffees are reserved for the clients. This is the real me." Mukunda got out of the car and settled on a bench.  "Do you have any biscuits?" He heard him ask.  He took a closer look at his boss. The always impeccably dressed man was wearing cargo shorts and a simple white T-shirt. The man sure had many faces. The remaining journey passed in silence. A green board with the words "Way to Parvathamalai" welcomed them.  'Ahh, here it comes,' he whistled his way through the road of stress.  People had already begun the trek. Dogs and monkeys lined the entrance.  The sight got under his skin. "Let's go," Mukunda sounded chirpy.  He dangled the heavy backpack loaded with essentials on his shoulders and like a devoted pupil he followed his boss's footsteps. Looking up, he tried to count the number of steps. It felt like the world around him moved in a frenzy. Everything around seemed blurry. Would he be able to do it? Would he collapse on his way up? Doubt strangulated his mind. Through his blurry eyes, he saw Mukunda ascend the stairs. A sixty-year-old man, robust and full of life. He climbed away like he had done it a million times before. Jeeva tried to match the man's pace.  "Come on," Mukunda gestured, his face glittering with a child-like enthusiasm.  Trees lining the stairs danced gently and a soothing breeze attempted to put Jeeva's worries to rest. He huffed and puffed while trying to keep up. The fear of what lay ahead didn't let him relax. Mukunda paused occasionally and clicked a few pictures. They weren't even halfway up and Jeeva felt fatigued. While Mukunda was energetic and ebullient. His unending energy appalled Jeeva. Was his boss getting younger with age? Everything around them glittered under the sunlight. He squinted and saw a few rocks stare at him. Iron rods were erected on both sides. People climbed onto the rocks while holding onto the rods.  "You seem tired. Do you want to rest?" Mukunda looked concerned. "No, I feel energetic than ever." Jeeva flashed a fake smile. He was determined to impress the man.  "On either side of this hill is the Kadaladi forest. It is a reserve of Teak, sandalwood, Neem, and bamboo," Mukunda played the role of a tour guide.  A subtle aroma ruffled Jeeva's nostrils. It was pleasant, calming, and invigorating. He looked around and began to take an interest. Suddenly, a monkey leaped ahead of him. Startled, he tripped and twisted his ankle. He shrieked. Mukunda turned and rushed to help him.  "You must be careful," Mukunda's voice was low but he could feel the concern laced with a fleeting anger. It reminded him of his father.  "Slowly, stretch your legs," Mukunda helped him get back on his feet.  But it ached. It was a sharp, piercing pain and he winced.  "Let's stop for a while. It will help you recuperate." The straight-faced boss now showed emotions. "I think you should carry on without me. I will slow you down," Jeeva sounded apologetic.  "Oh, I have all day," Mukunda smiled and reached for his bag.  Soon, he set up a tent.  "Let's get inside," He helped Jeeva walk. "We just got started, Hema. Enjoy your book." Jeeva heard Mukunda speak to his wife.  In the stillness of the morning, the birds cooed. Leaves rustled under the hustling footsteps. Twigs broke. Whispers turned a notch higher subduing the melodious tunes. Jeeva wished everyone remained silent. The pain radiated to his knees. He popped a painkiller and tried to relax. Mukunda had his headphones plugged in. His eyes were closed.  'Lucky guy. Sleeps whenever he wants,' thought Jeeva. Jeeva closed his eyes. But sleep continued to elude him. Resting his hands on the ground, he tried to stand. It felt like someone pulled his muscles as though they were strings controlling a puppet. Slowly, he trudged to the outside. A bird spread its orange-colored wings and perched on a bent branch. Fluttering its wings, it looked around as though it was surveilling the forest. He settled on the ground and noticed a young woman adjusting the lens of her camera. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her eyes bubbled with passion. He watched her click pictures, a smile playing on his lips.  Suddenly, she turned and looked at him. 'Did she see me watch her?' He felt embarrassed.  She smiled. His cheeks were flushed.  "Are you a photographer?" He bit his tongue. He was never good at starting a conversation. That too with a stranger. "No, I'm a journalist. Photography is my hobby." She walked to him.  He dusted the rock and cleared the debris. Taking the cue, she sat by his side.  "I'm Jeeva. I work for an advertising agency," he said. "I'm Vaidehi," Her name had a nice ring to it. "Are you a regular trekker?" He was glad that she continued the conversation. "No. I don't like to trek or do anything adventurous," he spoke cautiously.  Her eyebrows arched and her eyeballs danced.  "What are doing you here?" she chuckled. "I'm here with my boss. This trek was one of the unfinished items on his bucket list. Wanting to be in his good books, I agreed to accompany him," he smiled sheepishly. "What is it that you do? Other than impress your boss." He liked the sarcastic touch.  "It's my job to sell. I design creative ad campaigns, write captions and the list goes on. " He stopped talking. She observed him intently, listening to every word he said. "It's tough to survive out there. We are all trapped in a continuous rat race. Maintaining contacts plays an important role in my line of work. I'm up for a hike. This trek is an attempt to boost my visibility." He felt relieved.  "It doesn't sound good. But a man does whatever he can," he continued as though convincing her was his primary goal. "I can relate to you. The corporate world isn't a happy place to be." She placed the camera in her bag.  Was she showing an interest in him? It was too early to decide. "How are you?" Mukunda stretched his body.  "I'm feeling better," answered Jeeva. He introduced Vaidehi to the boss.  "Would you both like to eat noodles?" she asked.  "Noodles?" Jeeva looked at her questioningly. She reached for her backpack and retrieved a cup of instant noodles. She added hot water, some spices, and it was done. Hot noodles awaited them like it was some magic trick. She slurped like a child, a part of it swinging down her chin. With her tongue, she pushed the strands into her mouth. He giggled. Mukunda ate in silence. "I hear you are the boss." She turned to face Mukunda.  "I am. But at the office. Here I'm just a wanderer. A happy soul." Mukunda flashed his pearl-white teeth.  "You seem different." She chose her words carefully. His laughter almost rattled the birds.  "I didn't mean to....." He interrupted her with a wave of his hand.  "I'm sixty years young," he smiled like he meant it. "But I wasn't always like this. Around two decades back, I was diagnosed with diabetes. My heart wasn't very cooperative either. My knees creaked. The excess weight was doing its job. It was when I began to work on myself. It all started with short but regular morning walks. What started as a fitness regime, slowly unfolded into an undying passion. I enjoyed my time in nature. It helped me think better. I became more productive at work." Mukunda's words shone with zeal. "The genes of adventure got ingrained in my body. And, here I am a happy and free man. I'm sure my fellow adventurer Jeeva can resonate with my thoughts." A wide smile brightened his face. Jeeva felt like a course of electricity jolted through his veins. Guilt gushed throughout. He lowered his gaze and swayed his head waywardly.  Mukunda shrugged his shoulders and looked at Vaidehi, "Tell us more about yourself." "I'm a journalist. I write stories whenever I'm free. People intrigue me. In my opinion, everyone has a story to tell. I like to do it for them," she relaxed her fingers. "Ah, can I expect my story in print anytime soon?" Mukunda's smile carried a tint of mystery. "You will have to wait and watch." The mystery continued.  "I spend the weekends relaxing and rejuvenating my nerves and muscles," she spoke after a few seconds. "What about your family, sir? Do they love the outdoors?" Jeeva intervened. Mukunda filled three cups with coffee. He sipped a bit of it and took a deep breath.  "My children are busy building their lives. My wife loves to stay indoors. She loves to read and pen verses," Mukunda answered. "Don't you find going around all by yourself to be boring?" Jeeva turned daredevil. "No. We do whatever we love. Life and relationships are all about acceptance. Isn't it?" Mukunda shrugged his shoulders. Repentance filled Jeeva. He shouldn't have lied to the silver-haired man. Concealing his true self under a garb of deceit was not who he was. He was better than that.  "Sir, I..." He decided against it. "Time to continue the trek amigos," Mukunda stood up and walked to the tent. Vaidehi's blue eyes caught Jeeva's attention. It felt like the sea shimmering under the sunlight. Her bracelet danced and chimed as she adjusted her ponytail. She picked up the cups and flexed her back.  "You seem lost," she caught him off guard.  "I shouldn't have lied to him. My reasons are insignificant. Nothing justifies me faking something that I'm not." He sounded real. "I agree. But telling the truth at this point would do you both no good." She inhaled a lung full of air.  "Come here," she said and walked to a shrub.  White and yellow-coloured flowers bloomed. A butterfly nestled in the petals. She adjusted the lens and captured the scene. Jeeva sat on his knees and looked at the butterfly. Its wings were tender with spots all over them. It was enchanting. The change it had to go through was tremendous. The little beauty had endured it all. Change was always messy.  "You still have a chance to set things right," her words interrupted his thoughts.  His puzzled expression made her chuckle.  "How do I do that?" He watched her pack her bag meticulously. The towel went in first. Sunscreen, lip balm, and other toiletries were nestled in the side pouch. The camera was neatly wrapped and placed in between like a cocooned caterpillar. She looked up and saw that he was staring at her. Suddenly, everything felt different. Looking away, she inspected her attire. She became self-conscious. He made a fist and clenched his teeth. He was angry. With himself. He made her feel uncomfortable. And, there was no going back. But he wanted to make amends. He had to do it without further worsening the situation. "I was admiring your organizing skills," he pointed at the bag.  She didn't respond. It felt like she was in an argument about whether to trust him or not.  "I'm sorry." He was earnest. "Let's go." Carrying the 'heavy-for-her-to-lift' backpack she began to walk. He heard a series of footsteps. The crowd increased. Mukunda walked past him. On seeing that Vaidehi was far ahead, he tried to run. The pain came back with vengeance but he didn't stop. Not until she felt his presence. "Not bad," she smiled. That upward curve relieved his angst.  "You crossed those hurdles. All by yourself." She looked at the rocks. He looked back. It was an accomplishment. Though small, it mattered. Her eyes graced him with the much-needed appreciation.  "To answer your question," she gulped water. "You can make things right by being present. Enjoy this trek wholeheartedly. Face your fears. It's okay if this is your last trek. Give it your best." Her words reminded him of his mother. Give your best was her mantra. Maybe, women were like that. Gritty and tenacious. He rubbed his palms on the trousers leaving sweat marks all over. She was right. He jumped into the valley with his eyes closed. The onus of getting out of it unscathed lay on him. A tiny smile crept up his lips. Talking to her felt therapeutic. Rewarding.  'I thought you were angry.' He silenced his mind.  Certain questions better remained unanswered.  A gurgling sound drew their attention. At a distance, pristine water cascaded down the hill and joined the stream. The little water body snuggled between the rocks, the hard surfaces acting like a protective cushion. Jeeva stepped forward and observed a sapling find its way out of a quarry. It was tender. How did life sprout out of a dense surface? Will it thrive? Or would it give up to the harsh environment and eventually wither like most people? Jeeva felt a strange magnetic pull towards the plant. He wasn't a nature lover. But it felt different. And, soothing too. Feeling something for fellow beings was special. Droplets of water flew in the air and landed on his cheeks. A drop of it landed on a leaf making it wriggle.  "Your turn Jeeva," Mukunda's voice disrupted the tranquility nature had to offer. "For what?" He was puzzled. "Tell us more about yourself," prompted Mukunda. Vaidehi dipped her hand in the stream and splashed the water on her face.  'She is full of life,' he thought. Mukunda was looking at him, waiting for him to answer.  "My dad left the world when I was five. It has been only me and my mother since then. She did everything she could to give me a happy life. Determined and content describe her well. She is a living example of 'Never give up'." His voice felt sticky like someone was choking him.  He tried to flash a smile but behind it was unspoken and accumulated sorrow.  "Now it's my turn to take care of her. But I'm not sure if I'm doing a good job." He felt helpless. He hit a pebble and watched it land in the water. Plop, it made a sound. It was akin to music. Soothing to the ears and soul.  "Pain makes you strong," Mukunda spoke after a long gap.  His eyes conveyed unexpressed emotions. Something he yearned to unravel. "You asked me about my wife," paused Mukunda. They looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate.  "A few years back, our daughter married the man of her choice. We felt that she deserved better. Eventually, I accepted the reality. But my wife still hasn't come to terms with it. Our kid barely comes home. And, my always-happy wife changed into something different. She cocooned herself in a shell and preferred to stay that way. Reading gives her solace as trekking does to me." Mukunda felt lighter. 'Behind every smile, there is deep-seated pain and sorrow,' thought Vaidehi.  She realized that she was blessed. With a caring family, a job, and a stable income, she had everything she could ever ask for. Gratitude filled her with warmth. At a distance, bells chimed. A faint aroma of incense sticks filled the surroundings with a divine aura.  "We did it," Jeeva was cheerful.  An idol radiating warmth and positivity caught his attention. They had reached the peak. Just like that. Suddenly, it didn't seem that tough.  "It all seems easy now." Air escaped his lips. She smiled.  "It always does. At first, it feels scary. We are tempted to give up. But if we can fight that urge and do it anyway, the satisfaction is unsurmountable." She placed a hand on his shoulder as though to congratulate him. Minutes later, they entered the temple. After offering their prayers, they huddled on the rocks. The rocks now burnt like fire. The sun pounded with fury and the path down felt hazy. He looked down and a chill ran down his spine. The road yet to be traveled haunted him.  "I can't do this," his hands trembled. "You have come this long. Reach the finish line." Her words felt encouraging. But failed to cast its spell. "At work, the boss mentioned in passing that creative people have genes for adventure embedded within them. I got carried away. I shouldn't have signed up for this." Words slipped through his mouth. She freed her hair and let it cascade down her shoulders. Under the sunlight, she glowed like a sunflower. Her eyelids fluttered.  "You don't have any other option." She looked straight into his eyes. "You can't live here. Can you?" Her eyes crinkled and she looked more beautiful.  He nodded. Minutes later, Mukunda said, "Let's go." "I'm going to fall. Maybe, even end up dead." He faltered.  "That's your fear talking. Trust your instincts. It will not let you fall." She held his clammy hands and led him down the road.  It wasn't easy. He slipped more than once. But he tried to enjoy the process. The flowerbeds on the way enticed him. They swayed in the air and made everything around them colorful. It was a sight to his weary eyes. Occasionally, they stopped and rested. With time, their stomachs rumbled and the destination seemed closer. That dangling carrot helped him walk faster.  Mukunda was too tired to talk. He walked in silence. Or maybe, in contemplation. Jeeva wasn't sure of it. He wanted to ask her for her contact number. But felt it was too early. If they were destined to meet again, they would. He repeated those words in his mind. Time passed. Vehicles honked. The subtle chatter grew louder. Hawkers thronged the place. Finally, they reached the exit.  His muscles groaned. The pain increased. But his mind was reinvigorated. He felt different. Something he had never felt before. He was more open to facing the challenges. Maybe, the trek wasn't that bad an idea. He wasn't sure he would ever try something like this again. But he didn't regret this one. He was lost in his thoughts when she handed him a card. "Give me a call sometime. There's another hill I wish to..." She laughed.  She didn't need to complete the sentence. Her eyes and his gaping mouth said it all. He watched her get in the car. "Drive safe," said Mukunda. She nodded and drove away. They walked toward their car half groaning and half huffing.  "So, my bucket list did you some good. You finally found a girl," grinned Mukunda. "It's nothing like that. We are..." He hesitated. "Your eyes contradict your words." Mukunda laughed knowingly.  "Sir, it's nothing," Colour filled his cheeks.  "You have me to thank for." Mukunda didn't stop. ‘Maybe, I do,' he whistled to himself.  A melody played in his heart and his feet did an imaginary dance. It was a new beginning. And, he was looking forward to whatever it had to offer.