Rhododendron

“You came!” He exclaimed.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Yes I did. I had to right?”

“I dint think you would return. I dint think you would believe an old guy.” He said playfully.

“Oh, I believed you. The moment you had pulled me into your tight and warm hug, I had no choice but to believe everything you said.” She winked at him. 

“Hahaha. That’s too dramatic. It was a cold night.” He shook making a rustling sound.

“Yes, it was. I remember pitching my tent right here beside you. And talking to you till almost sunrise. Somehow, I was able to talk to you so freely. I had felt at peace that night after what seemed like almost an eon.” She sat at his foot leaning her back on him and pulling her backpack next to her.

“It was a beautiful night though. No moon, but a starry sky and loads of snow. You had quite some shovelling to do that evening.” He said stifling a giggle. 

“That I did.” She laughed taking her flask and pouring herself a mug of tea.

“Aah. That warm sweet smell again. You won’t be staying tonight.?” He asked in a soft tone.

“No. I am not allowed to. I just got lucky that day due to the snow storm. Anyway, that’s why I came early today, to spend more time with you. There’s a village just a mile up from here, I will be staying there tonight.” She sighed taking a sip of her warm tea. 

Then closing her eyes as if entering into a trans she continued “You know, that night I thought I would be lost in nature. I had taken that hike to actually lose myself, forget myself in the mountains. But, you, you helped me find myself.” She pressed her soft palms against his rough skin in a gentle stroke.

“I know. I remember that look on your face. Beaten but not broken. I know the feeling.” He whispered.

“You were bare. And yet, I felt so safe under your tiny branches, curling up against your roots, I thought I was in heaven. Like nothing could touch me. Like those deadly claws of the world could no longer hurt me.” a shadow of painful expression crossed her face.

He rustled showering some rhododendron petals on her.

“That’s cute. Am sure you are a heart throb this time of the year. I knew it when I saw sunrise touching your bark that morning. Watching you glow had kindled a spark in me, that feeling of being alive which I had long forgotten.” She said reminiscing that moment.

“Well I did tell you that you should see me in spring. That you will fall in love with me.” He tried to sway but failed catastrophically, making her smile even more.

“I fell in love with you in that cold bitter winter night. Both you and I at our worst, were able to be the best for one another. I did not have to wait for spring to know how beautiful you were.” she spoke adoringly.

“Hah. If it wasn’t to see me, why did you return then?” He scoffed.

“Of course, I had to see you at your best, didn’t I. Just to be sure you weren’t lying. And how could I miss seeing you decked up in all these rhododendrons charming your way into everyone’s heart.” She patted him lovingly.

He showered some more flowers on her.

“I just came to say thank you. For being there as my guardian angel that night. For listening to me. For giving me comfort and strength. For sharing your stories of life and loss, of mountains and wind, of humans and hope. For bringing to life the nature around me.” She said with moist eyes.

“They might think you are crazy for chatting away with me like this. You know I am not real right?.” He questioned in a worried tone.

“Oh, you are more real than anything I have ever known in my life. You opened that locked away chamber of my heart which changed my life. You made me alive. I came wandering into mountains, not knowing that I was even seeking answers, and you guided me. I knew mountains held my soul but you, you acted as the bridge between me and the mountains that night, and till date that bridge stands firm.”

She looked at a group of hikers closing in, jutting her chin towards them she continued.

“They might see you as some random tree, but for me, you are my North Star in the endless dark sky. With or without these rhododendrons, you will always be my beautiful soulmate.” 

She said kissing his rough tree trunk. And they both sat in silence, soothing each other’s soul watching the glow of sunset play on their faces.