Déjà Vu

**Chapter 1: The Journey to the Hills**

The journey had begun at dawn, as the city of Dehradun lay behind them, fading slowly into a blur of honking cars and crowded streets. Now, hours later, the hum of the taxi was the only sound that filled the air as the car snaked its way up the winding roads toward Mussoorie. The landscape changed with every curve, revealing glimpses of majestic peaks, dotted with small homes that clung to the hillsides. Aarushi’s eyes, still drowsy from the early start, fluttered open fully as the landscape came into focus.

The towering deodar trees stood like silent guardians of the hills, their thick branches swaying in the mountain breeze. As the taxi climbed higher, the air grew cooler, fresher, carrying with it the crisp, earthy scent of pine. Every now and then, the sunlight would filter through the canopy, casting dappled shadows across the road, creating an almost dreamlike contrast between the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the mountain air.

Aarushi pressed her forehead against the window, her breath fogging the glass slightly. The familiar chaos of the city seemed worlds away now, replaced by the serenity of the hills. Her fingers absently toyed with the strap of her bag, a subtle sign of the anticipation that had been building up inside her. She had dreamed of this moment for weeks—a getaway with Rudra, just the two of them, away from work, deadlines, and the fast pace of life. Now, it was finally happening.

*This is it,* she thought to herself, a gentle smile playing on her lips. *We’re finally here.*

Beside her, Rudra shifted in his seat, stretching his legs and running a hand through his hair. He turned his head to look at her, the soft smile that had become his trademark creeping onto his face. He had been watching her, seeing the way her eyes lit up as they approached the hills, feeling the quiet excitement that filled the small space between them.

His hand, warm and steady, came to rest on her thigh, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles through the fabric of her jeans. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low and rich, a sound that always made her feel safe.

Aarushi turned her gaze from the window to him, her eyes meeting his. There was something about the way he looked at her—so full of affection, so quietly confident—that made her heart swell. She nodded, her smile growing. “I’m perfect,” she whispered, leaning into his touch.

Rudra gave her thigh a gentle squeeze, a wordless gesture of reassurance. “Good. This place is magic, Aarushi,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet awe. “I can already feel it.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the solid warmth of him against her. His presence was as comforting as the mountains themselves, a constant in her life. As the car continued its slow ascent, the views around them grew more stunning with each passing minute. The valleys below seemed endless, blanketed in a lush green forest that stretched out for miles. Small villages appeared like dots on the horizon, smoke rising lazily from their chimneys, as if time moved slower here.

The sky above them was a brilliant blue, with only a few wisps of clouds floating lazily by, and the sun was beginning its slow descent behind the distant peaks. The colors of the sunset had already begun to paint the sky in soft hues of orange and pink, casting a warm, golden light over the hillsides.

The taxi finally turned into a narrow road that led toward their cottage, hidden away from the rest of the world. Aarushi could see it in the distance—a small, stone house nestled against the hillside, almost as if it had grown from the earth itself. The wooden beams that framed it were dark and weathered with age, and ivy crawled along the walls, giving the place a sense of timelessness. It was the perfect mountain retreat, secluded, quiet, and utterly romantic.

As the taxi pulled to a stop in front of the cottage, Rudra was the first to step out, stretching his arms and legs after the long drive. The cool mountain air hit him immediately, fresh and invigorating, a welcome change from the heat of the plains below. He turned to the car, opening the door for Aarushi, offering her his hand as she stepped out.

“Welcome to our little hideaway,” he said, his voice filled with quiet pride as he took in the sight of their temporary home. “What do you think?”

Aarushi took his hand and stepped out onto the gravel driveway, her eyes widening as she took in the view. The valley stretched out before her, a sea of green and gold, with the mist slowly rolling in like gentle waves, filling the air with a soft, ethereal quality. The sky above was a masterpiece of colors—soft pinks, purples, and deep oranges blending together as the sun dipped lower behind the peaks.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, turning slowly to take it all in. “Just like you said.”

Rudra stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. “I knew you’d love it,” he whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Come on,” he said softly, his breath warm against her skin. “Let’s see the inside.”

Hand in hand, they walked toward the cottage, the gravel crunching softly under their feet. The wooden door creaked slightly as Rudra pushed it open, revealing the cozy interior within. The cottage was small but perfect—rustic, with just the right amount of charm. A stone fireplace sat in the corner of the living room, a stack of wood beside it, ready to be lit. The furniture was simple, with worn leather armchairs and a plush couch, all arranged around a large window that looked out over the valley.

Aarushi wandered through the cottage, her fingers brushing lightly over the wooden beams that crisscrossed the ceiling, feeling the warmth and history of the place. It was as if the cottage had been waiting for them, welcoming them into its embrace.

Rudra watched her with a soft smile, his heart full. This trip was more than just a vacation. It was a chance for them to reconnect, to escape the pressures of their everyday lives and simply be with each other. And as he watched Aarushi move through the room, her eyes full of wonder, he knew they had made the right choice in coming here.

Outside, the sun had finally dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky bathed in the soft light of dusk. The valley below was slowly being swallowed by the mist, the world growing quieter, more peaceful. Rudra walked over to the window, looking out at the view that stretched before them.

“It feels like we’re the only two people in the world,” he said softly, turning to Aarushi.

Aarushi smiled, crossing the room to stand beside him. She slipped her hand into his, their fingers intertwining as they stood there, gazing out at the vast, open space before them.

“In a way, we are,” she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Just us. And this moment.”

Rudra kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering against her hair. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

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