The work for the day was finally over.
Tara leaned back in her seat and stretched her arms.
Tara: "I'm done."
Malini glanced at the documents scattered across the table.
Malini: "Actually done?"
Tara: "Actually done."
Kavya closed the last report.
Kavya: "Then let's go somewhere."
Aryav immediately looked interested.
Aryav: "Somewhere that doesn't involve paperwork."
Tara: "That sounds wonderful."
Kavya pointed toward the hills surrounding Haridwar.
Kavya: "There's a temple up there."
Tara looked toward the mountain slope.
A small temple could be seen high above the city.
Tara: "That one?"
Kavya: "Yes. Apparently the view from the top is beautiful."
Tara considered it for a moment.
Tara: "Alright."
Malini smiled.
Malini: "Good. You need to get out of your room sometimes."
Tara: "I do get out."
Malini: "Walking from one office to another doesn't count."
Aryav laughed.
Aryav: "She's right."
Tara: "Nobody asked you."
The group soon reached the foot of the mountain.
And immediately stopped.
A huge staircase stretched upward.
And upward.
And upward.
Tara stared at it.
Tara: "..."
Aryav: "..."
Kavya: "..."
Malini: "What's wrong?"
Tara pointed toward the stairs.
Tara: "That's the way up?"
Malini: "Apparently."
Aryav looked at the people around them.
Some were walking.
Others were being carried by servants.
A few couples were climbing together, with the men carrying their wives or loved ones in their arms.
Tara watched one couple pass.
The man carried the woman comfortably while she rested against him.
Tara: "Oh."
Kavya: "What?"
Tara: "Nothing."
They began climbing.
For the first few minutes, they maintained a respectable pace.
Tara walked beside Malini.
Aryav and Kavya followed slightly behind.
The stairs became steeper.
Then longer.
Then steeper again.
Tara's pace gradually slowed.
Tara: "How many stairs does this place have?"
Aryav: "Enough."
Tara: "Very useful."
Aryav: "You're welcome."
Kavya laughed.
They continued.
The first group of pilgrims passed them.
Then another.
Then another.
Soon, Tara was breathing noticeably harder.
Tara: "I thought this was supposed to be a temple visit."
Malini: "It is."
Tara: "This feels more like punishment."
Aryav: "We're barely halfway."
Tara stopped.
Tara: "What?"
Aryav immediately looked guilty.
Aryav: "I said we're barely halfway."
Tara stared at the remaining staircase.
Tara: "I hate this mountain."
Malini: "Keep moving."
Tara reluctantly continued.
After another long stretch, they heard a familiar voice behind them.
Trade Minister: "Make way."
Tara turned.
Her expression immediately fell.
The Trade Minister was coming up behind them.
Except he wasn't walking.
He was sitting comfortably on a broad wooden seat carried by several servants.
His robes were perfectly arranged.
He wasn't sweating.
He wasn't breathing heavily.
He wasn't even slightly uncomfortable.
Tara stared at him.
Trade Minister: "Minister Tara."
Tara: "Trade Minister."
He gave her a faint smile.
Trade Minister: "Enjoying the climb?"
Tara looked at the stairs.
Then at him.
Then at his comfortable seat.
Tara: "Immensely."
The minister chuckled.
Trade Minister: "I must say, I admire your determination."
Tara: "Thank you."
Trade Minister: "Though perhaps determination isn't always the same thing as wisdom."
Aryav immediately looked away.
Kavya covered her mouth.
Malini gave Tara a warning glance.
The Trade Minister's servants continued carrying him upward.
Trade Minister: "You should have brought servants."
Tara: "I have servants."
Trade Minister: "Then why aren't they carrying you?"
Tara: "Because I can walk."
Trade Minister: "Clearly."
He smiled.
Then his seat continued upward.
Tara watched him disappear above them.
Silence.
Aryav finally spoke.
Aryav: "That man is going to die from being too comfortable."
Tara: "I hope the stairs get steeper."
Malini: "Tara."
Tara: "What?"
Malini: "Behave."
Tara: "I'm behaving."
Kavya laughed.
Kavya: "You absolutely aren't."
They continued climbing.
Their pace became slower.
Aryav was beginning to sweat heavily.
Kavya noticed.
Kavya: "You're tired."
Aryav: "No."
Kavya: "You're sweating."
Aryav: "It's warm."
Kavya: "Your face is red."
Aryav: "The sun."
Tara glanced back at him.
Tara: "Your excuses are getting worse."
Aryav: "I'm still walking."
Tara: "Barely."
They continued.
A few elderly pilgrims sitting beside the stairs watched them approach.
One old man smiled.
Old Man: "First time here?"
Tara nodded.
Tara: "Yes."
Old Man: "I thought so."
Aryav looked offended.
Aryav: "Is it that obvious?"
Old Man: "Very."
The elderly people laughed.
Old Woman: "You're going to the temple together?"
Kavya nodded.
Kavya: "Yes."
The old woman smiled.
Old Woman: "Then you should know about the tradition."
Tara looked curious.
Tara: "What tradition?"
The old man pointed toward the couples climbing ahead.
Old Man: "A man who loves the woman beside him may carry her up the stairs."
Tara looked toward Aryav and Kavya.
Aryav suddenly became very interested in the ground.
Kavya's face began turning pink.
Old Man: "It is an old tradition here."
Old Woman: "A sign that he will carry her through hardship as well."
Aryav scratched the back of his neck.
Aryav: "That's..."
He glanced at Kavya.
Kavya immediately looked away.
Aryav: "That's nice."
Tara's eyes narrowed slightly.
A mischievous smile appeared.
She said nothing.
The group kept climbing.
Minutes passed.
Then more minutes.
Tara eventually stopped beside the railing.
Tara: "I need a minute."
Malini stopped with her.
Malini: "Take a breath."
Aryav leaned against the railing a few steps away.
Aryav: "I think my legs have stopped belonging to me."
Kavya: "You're the one who said this would be easy."
Aryav: "I was confident."
Tara: "You were stupid."
Aryav: "There's a difference?"
Tara: "Not today."
Kavya laughed.
They rested for a moment.
Then continued.
Another section.
Another staircase.
Another turn.
The temple still seemed impossibly far away.
The old pilgrims who had spoken to them earlier passed them.
One of the old men looked at Aryav.
Old Man: "Young man!"
Aryav looked over.
Old Man: "Still walking?"
Aryav: "Barely."
The old man laughed.
Old Man: "Then perhaps you should use the tradition."
Aryav's face immediately became awkward.
Aryav: "I..."
He looked toward Kavya.
She was standing a few steps ahead.
He hesitated.
Then walked toward her.
Aryav: "Kavya."
Kavya turned.
Kavya: "Hmm?"
Aryav scratched the back of his neck.
His usual confidence was gone.
Aryav: "Would you..."
He paused.
Kavya waited.
Aryav: "...like me to carry you?"
Kavya froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her entire face turned bright red.
Kavya: "I..."
Tara's face lit up.
She immediately looked at Malini with an enormous grin.
Malini smiled.
Malini: "Don't."
Tara: "I'm not doing anything."
Kavya was still trying to answer.
Kavya: "Aryav, I—"
Before she could finish, Aryav suddenly bent down and lifted her into his arms.
Kavya gasped.
Kavya: "ARYAV!"
Aryav adjusted his grip.
Aryav: "You were taking too long."
Kavya: "P-Put me down!"
Aryav: "No."
Kavya: "I can walk!"
Aryav: "I know."
He started climbing.
Tara's grin became enormous.
Tara: "Oh my god."
Malini immediately covered Tara's mouth.
Malini: "Don't embarrass them."
Tara muffled a laugh.
Around them, the elderly pilgrims began cheering.
Old Man: "That's the spirit!"
Old Woman: "Very good!"
Another elderly man laughed.
Old Man 2: "Strong young man!"
Several couples nearby turned to look.
One woman smiled at her husband.
Woman: "Look at that."
Her husband laughed.
Man: "He's carrying her all the way."
Kavya hid her face against Aryav's shoulder.
Kavya: "Everyone is looking at us."
Aryav: "Let them."
Kavya: "You're enjoying this."
Aryav: "Maybe."
Tara followed behind them, smiling so widely that her cheeks hurt.
Tara: "This is the best thing that's happened all day."
Malini: "You really are enjoying this."
Tara: "Of course I am."
The stairs continued.
Aryav's breathing gradually became heavier.
His steps slowed.
Kavya noticed.
Kavya: "Aryav."
Aryav: "Hmm?"
Kavya: "You're exhausted."
Aryav: "A little."
Kavya: "Put me down."
Aryav: "No."
Kavya: "Seriously."
Aryav: "I said I'd carry you."
Kavya looked at him.
His arms were beginning to tremble slightly.
His forehead was covered in sweat.
His breathing was heavy.
Yet he kept climbing.
Kavya's expression softened.
Kavya: "You don't have to prove anything."
Aryav smiled.
Aryav: "I'm not proving anything."
He looked toward the temple above.
Aryav: "I just want to carry you."
Kavya became quiet.
Then she gently rested her head against his shoulder.
Kavya: "...Idiot."
Aryav smiled.
Aryav: "Probably."
Tara watched from behind.
For once, she didn't tease them.
She simply smiled.
The elderly pilgrims continued praising Aryav whenever they passed.
Old Man: "Keep going, young man!"
Old Woman: "Don't give up!"
Another pilgrim laughed.
Pilgrim: "That's what a strong husband should do!"
Kavya's face became even redder.
Kavya: "I'm never coming here again."
Aryav: "Too late."
Tara laughed.
Eventually, the temple finally appeared above them.
Aryav stopped.
He was breathing heavily.
Kavya looked up.
Kavya: "We're here."
Aryav stared at the temple.
Aryav: "Finally."
Kavya smiled.
Kavya: "You actually carried me all the way."
Aryav: "I told you I would."
He carefully lowered her onto the stone platform.
The elderly pilgrims who had watched them climb cheered again.
Aryav laughed awkwardly.
Aryav: "Thank you."
Tara walked past him.
Tara: "Very impressive."
Aryav immediately pointed at her.
Aryav: "Don't."
Tara's smile grew.
Tara: "I didn't say anything."
Aryav: "Your face did."
Tara burst into laughter.
The four finally reached the temple grounds.
The old monks welcomed them warmly.
One monk looked toward Aryav.
Monk: "You carried her?"
Aryav sighed.
Aryav: "Apparently everyone knows."
The monk laughed.
Monk: "Good."
They rested for a while.
The wind was much cooler at the top.
The city below looked smaller than it had from the ground.
The sun was beginning to descend.
Tara walked toward the edge of the temple platform.
Aryav and Kavya followed.
Malini came behind them.
None of them noticed what was waiting beyond the hills.
Not yet.
Then Aryav stopped.
His expression changed.
Aryav: "..."
Kavya noticed.
Kavya: "Aryav?"
He didn't answer.
He slowly raised his hand.
And pointed toward the horizon.
Scene 5 — The Mountains
Kavya followed his finger.
At first, she saw nothing unusual.
Only a hazy blue horizon.
The evening sky blended into the distant landscape.
Kavya narrowed her eyes.
Kavya: "What am I looking at?"
Aryav: "I don't know."
Tara walked over.
Tara: "What's wrong?"
Aryav pointed again.
Tara looked.
At first, she saw what appeared to be enormous clouds sitting far beyond the hills.
Tara: "Clouds?"
Kavya: "That's what I thought."
Malini stepped closer.
Malini: "Wait..."
The evening light shifted.
The haze slowly began to separate.
Shapes emerged.
A ridge.
Then another.
Then another.
Tara's expression changed.
Tara: "..."
Kavya whispered.
Kavya: "Those aren't clouds."
Aryav shook his head.
Aryav: "No."
They stared.
The shapes were mountains.
Not hills.
Not a single mountain.
An enormous mountain range.
Its lower slopes disappeared into the blue haze, while its peaks rose impossibly high above them.
Then the final sunlight struck the highest peaks.
White appeared.
Snow.
Tara's eyes widened.
She stepped closer.
The range seemed to stretch endlessly across the horizon.
The small hills around Haridwar suddenly looked insignificant.
Tiny.
Almost meaningless.
Aryav slowly lowered his hand.
Aryav: "That's..."
He couldn't finish.
Kavya whispered.
Kavya: "The Himalayas."
Nobody spoke.
The last sunlight painted the snow-covered peaks gold.
The mountains turned blue.
Then purple.
The highest peaks remained white against the darkening sky.
Tara stared at them.
She had heard descriptions of the Himalayas her entire life.
She had seen them drawn on maps.
She had imagined enormous mountains beyond the northern kingdoms.
But nothing had prepared her for this.
Tara: "We're going there."
Malini looked at her.
Malini: "Yes."
Aryav laughed quietly in disbelief.
Aryav: "That old man called this mountain tiny."
Kavya: "He wasn't joking."
Tara looked at the enormous range again.
Tara: "No."
She smiled faintly.
Tara: "He really wasn't."
The wind moved through the temple.
The bells began to ring softly behind them.
Far below, Haridwar continued its evening life.
But the four of them remained completely still.
For the first time, the journey ahead truly felt real.
They weren't simply travelling to another kingdom.
They were going there.
Into those enormous mountains.
Into the world beyond the horizon.
Tara looked at the snow-covered peaks one final time.
Tara: "They're beautiful."
Kavya nodded.
Kavya: "They're terrifying."
Aryav: "Both."
Malini smiled.
Malini: "Definitely both."
The sun disappeared completely.
The distant Himalayas remained visible against the darkening sky.
And somewhere beyond those massive peaks waited the Katyuri kingdom.
The expedition had finally reached the edge of the mountains.
But they had not yet entered them.