Déjà Vu

**Chapter 8: Kempty Falls**

The morning sun climbed higher in the sky as Aarushi and Rudra set off for **Kempty Falls**, one of the most renowned attractions near Mussoorie. Located about 15 kilometers from the town, the journey promised both adventure and scenic beauty. As they climbed into their car, Aarushi rolled down her window, eager to breathe in the crisp, mountain air. The winding road that snaked through the hills offered a view of terraced fields carved into the slopes, lush and green, dotted with tiny villages and sporadic grazing sheep. Deep valleys yawned below them, and on the far horizon, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Aarushi felt a sense of exhilaration as the car navigated each curve. The earthy scent of pine and damp soil wafted into the car, and she leaned her head out, letting the wind play with her hair. “It’s perfect,” she whispered to herself, though Rudra caught the words.

He glanced at her, a knowing smile on his face. “Wait till you see the falls.”

When they finally arrived at the entrance to **Kempty Falls**, the distant roar of water greeted them long before they saw it. The sound was a steady, powerful rush, like nature’s own symphony, drawing them in. As they walked closer, Aarushi’s eyes lit up. The waterfall cascaded from a great height, its white, frothy waters tumbling into a wide pool below. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dancing on the surface of the water, creating a sparkling spectacle that mesmerized everyone who gazed upon it.

The scene was alive with the laughter and chatter of tourists. Children splashed in the shallows, couples posed for pictures near the base of the falls, and families spread out picnic blankets on the rocks. The water gleamed like liquid crystal, so clear that they could see the smooth stones beneath the surface.

“It’s even more beautiful than I imagined,” Aarushi said, her eyes wide with delight.

Rudra, standing beside her, took in the sight with a grin. “Come on, let's find a spot.” Together, they wove through the throngs of visitors, eventually finding a quieter place near the edge of the pool where the water trickled over smaller rocks before plunging down. The natural basin of the falls was shaded by towering trees, their leaves fluttering gently in the breeze. Every so often, the mist from the waterfall would drift over, cooling the air and kissing their skin with droplets.

Aarushi sat on a large boulder, slipping off her sandals and letting her feet dangle in the cool water. She sighed in contentment, feeling a childlike giddiness as the water flowed over her toes. Rudra, ever the adventurer, dipped his fingers into the water before turning to her with a mischievous grin.

“Should we get in?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Aarushi raised an eyebrow at him, laughing at his eagerness. “Are you crazy? That water looks freezing!” she exclaimed, though there was an unmistakable hint of curiosity in her voice.

Rudra chuckled, rolling up his pants and stepping deeper into the pool. “Come on, it’s all part of the experience. You’ll regret it if you don’t try!”

Before Aarushi could protest, Rudra waded further in, splashing water in her direction. She squealed, trying to dodge the spray, but her laughter betrayed her. The allure of the falls, the sun shining down on them, and Rudra’s playful energy were impossible to resist. Throwing caution to the wind, she stood up, hiked up her skirt, and dipped a tentative toe into the pool. The icy water sent a shiver up her spine, but she found herself laughing out loud, exhilarated by the shock of it.

The two of them splashed about like children, their carefree laughter mixing with the sounds of nature around them. Aarushi playfully pushed Rudra deeper into the water, gasping when he retaliated by scooping her up in his arms and carrying her toward the center of the pool.

“Rudra, no!” she shrieked, laughing uncontrollably, but it was too late. He let her slide gently into the water, and the cold surrounded her like a shock. But soon enough, the thrill of it had her laughing again, the crisp mountain water invigorating her senses.

They stayed in the water for what felt like hours, lost in their own little world amidst the beauty of Kempty Falls. The tourists around them faded into the background, leaving just the two of them, connected by shared laughter and the rush of the waterfall.

After they finally climbed out of the water, their clothes damp and clinging to their skin, they made their way to a small café perched on the hillside, overlooking the falls. The smell of frying pakoras and brewing chai wafted toward them, instantly making Aarushi’s mouth water. They found a quiet table in the shade, their wet clothes slowly drying in the warmth of the afternoon sun.

As they sat down, a plate of steaming hot pakoras and two cups of masala chai were placed before them. Aarushi took a sip of the fragrant tea, savoring the mix of spices and the warmth it brought to her chilled body. The golden-brown pakoras, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, were the perfect snack after their time in the water.

The sun hung lower in the sky now, casting a golden glow over the falls, which continued to cascade tirelessly into the pool below. The crowds were thinning, the afternoon giving way to the peace of evening.

“I haven’t felt this carefree in so long,” Aarushi admitted quietly, dipping a pakora into chutney and taking a bite. She gazed out at the waterfall, the memory of their laughter still fresh in her mind.

Rudra reached across the table and took her hand, his thumb gently tracing circles on the back of her palm. “That’s exactly what this trip is for,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “To forget about everything else. To just be here. With you. Us.”

Aarushi smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection and gratitude. In that moment, she realized how lucky she was, not just to be in this beautiful place, but to be sharing it with someone who made every moment more magical.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Rudra,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around his.

Rudra’s eyes softened as he gazed back at her, his expression tender. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “And no one else I’d rather be with.”

They sat there in silence for a while, sipping their chai and watching the golden light dance across the water. The falls continued to flow, steady and constant, much like the bond between them—ever-growing, ever-deepening.