Déjà Vu

**Chapter 9: Landour and Lal Tibba**

The final morning in Mussoorie dawned with a golden hue, the sunlight piercing through the mist that clung to the mountains, promising a day full of memories. Aarushi and Rudra woke early, eager to explore **Landour**, a serene cantonment town that sat quietly just a few kilometers from the bustling heart of Mussoorie. As they wound their way through the narrow road leading to Landour, the scene transformed before them. The town’s colonial past was evident in every turn—quaint stone cottages with ivy-covered walls, wrought-iron gates, and charming gardens bursting with wildflowers lined the streets.

The pace of life seemed slower here, the hustle of Mussoorie left behind. Aarushi inhaled deeply, breathing in the cool mountain air mixed with the faint scent of pine and cedar. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional flutter of birds or the soft chatter of locals heading to their morning routines.

“This place is like a page out of history,” Aarushi said, her voice hushed in reverence. She could feel the weight of time here, a place seemingly untouched by the rapid pace of the outside world.

Rudra nodded, his eyes scanning the scene around them. “It’s peaceful. Like a little secret tucked away from everything.”

As they wandered through Landour, they came across a small café perched on the edge of a hill, its wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted through the open windows, beckoning them inside. They took a seat at a table overlooking the valley, where the world seemed to drop away, leaving only the expansive green hills rolling into the distance.

Aarushi smiled as a slice of warm apple pie was placed before them, the flaky crust golden and buttery, the filling oozing with spiced apples. She took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the sweetness that melted on her tongue. “This,” she said, “is heaven.”

Rudra took a bite, nodding in agreement. “I could get used to this—great views and great pie. What more could we need?”

They sat there for a while, talking quietly, the gentle hum of the café in the background, blending with the birdsong that filled the air. There was no rush, no urgency—just the steady passage of time in a place that seemed content to remain still.

After finishing their pie, they decided to make the ascent to **Lal Tibba**, the highest point in Mussoorie. The path leading up to the lookout was surrounded by tall deodar and oak trees, their thick branches forming a canopy above, filtering the sunlight and casting dappled shadows on the ground. The cool breeze carried the earthy scent of the forest, refreshing and invigorating as they climbed higher.

At the top of Lal Tibba, the world opened up before them. The 360-degree view was nothing short of spectacular, with the majestic Himalayan range stretched out as far as the eye could see. **Badrinath**, **Kedarnath**, and the snow-capped peak of **Bandarpunch** stood tall in the distance, their icy white summits piercing the clear blue sky. It was as if the mountains, timeless and immovable, had been waiting for them to arrive.

Aarushi stood at the edge of the lookout, her arms folded across her chest as the cool mountain air brushed against her skin. The sight of the towering peaks, vast and imposing, made her feel small in the best way possible—like she was part of something far greater than herself.

Rudra came up beside her, noticing the slight shiver that ran through her. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against his chest. His warmth enveloped her, contrasting the crispness of the air. They stood there in silence for a long moment, the only sound being the wind as it whispered through the trees and the distant call of birds echoing through the hills.

“There’s something magical about this place,” Aarushi whispered, her eyes fixed on the horizon where the mountains met the sky. “It feels like time doesn’t exist here.”

Rudra pressed his chin gently against her head, his voice soft in reply. “It does feel like we’ve stepped out of the real world and into something timeless. I think that’s why it feels so special—it’s like this moment will last forever.”

Aarushi tilted her head to look up at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. “We’ll remember this forever, won’t we? This place, this feeling.”

Rudra smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Every detail. The mountains, the air, and especially you. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.”

The intensity of his words sent a warmth rushing through Aarushi. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, pulling him down into a soft, lingering kiss. It was a kiss filled with the depth of their connection, the unspoken promises that their love would endure, just like the mountains standing tall behind them.

When they pulled apart, the world seemed even quieter, as though the mountains themselves were witnessing the moment. Aarushi rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart, perfectly in sync with her own.

“I never want to leave,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Rudra tightened his grip around her, resting his cheek against her hair. “We don’t have to. This place, this feeling—we can carry it with us, no matter where we go.”

They stood there a while longer, watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden light across the snow-capped peaks. The shadows lengthened, and the air grew cooler, but neither of them moved. The magic of the moment held them in its grip, the vast expanse of the Himalayas a silent witness to the love they shared.

As the light began to fade, they reluctantly made their way back down the path, the beauty of Landour and Lal Tibba etched forever in their memories. The mountains stood tall behind them, steadfast and eternal, as if promising that their love, too, would stand the test of time.