Twist through the lens

_{Credit: @bambuka}

"Where are we going?" she asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Just a little far," he replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

"There's a hotel," he mentioned, gesturing towards the distant mountains.

The petite girl turned to her lover, her gaze searching, and inquired, "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, just you and your beautiful smile," he assured.

His way with words was impressive. Despite her thoughts about the road leading to nowhere, his playful language captivated her, and she continued to follow his trail without questioning too much.

_{from the archive of my phone gallery}

She felt a sigh of relief when the dark patch of road was finally over, and the sun came out from behind the clouds. She felt as if she could breathe a little easily. The mountains felt so green after the rain last night.

But, there was no hotel or any sign of civilization anywhere. They had been traveling for days in this rented car. She had no idea about the place. She came to visit him in his country. Upon landing, they continued their journey together in a rented car, making stops at motels for nights.

Now, he had parked the car and suggested covering the next half-hour or so on foot since the road wasn't suitable for a motor vehicle. Assuring her that she would enjoy the natural beauty of this scenic place.

They were sweethearts at a university where he had come to pursue his education. He had promised her a much-awaited meetup with his family. But when they landed in his country, there was a sudden change of plans. He took her to these mountains, suggesting she should experience the natural beauty before finally meeting his family. She didn't like the idea much, but here she was—a stranger in a whole new place—with no one to rely upon but him. And, until now, he had given her no reason to doubt him.

As they enjoyed the mountains, more forcefully on her part, she accidentally heard him on the phone, saying something about a "surprise" and a "secret plan." It got her more worried. The doubts kept growing, like a cloud over what was supposed to be a happy time. She wondered if there was more to the story than what she knew. Every time she asked questions about his family, he would steer clear from the topic, making more stories.

He could sense her obvious fear now. It hurt him to see her so nervous, and at the same time, her doubts broke his heart a little. Yet, he thought, isn't it human nature? Maybe he would do the same if he were in her place. Understanding her concerns, he decided it was time to open up and share the truth. He couldn't imagine her being in distress like this.

_{image @bambuka}

He held her hand tightly and gestured towards what appeared to be a hut. As they approached, someone emerged from the other side of the road. Uncertainty gripped her, but suddenly, screams of surprise filled the air. A graceful lady with a warm smile, a man resembling an older version of her lover, and two ecstatic siblings approached her, showering her with the love and affection she had only imagined.

She had once told him that she dreamed of two things in her life - a loving family and a trip to the Highlands, as she had never experienced either in her life. She had lost both her parents in an accident when she was just a little girl.

They led her to a secluded mountain lodge where he had arranged this private reunion with his family. The scenic beauty and the warmth of his family gradually melted her initial reservations. The unexpected twist turned into a joyous celebration, marking the beginning of cherished moments with his loved ones.

The experience strengthened their bond, and amidst laughter and shared stories, the couple found themselves embraced by the love of both the mountains and family. It was a beginning of a happy ending.

Here are additional photos captured by the unofficial family photographer during this joyful adventure. The cameraman, one of the siblings, was genuinely thrilled for his younger brother and decided to present these pictures as a heartfelt gift. He fully supports his brother's decision and looks forward to enjoying this visit to the highlands himself. The photos will be presented as a surprise at the end of the trip. 🤩

_{Capturing the moments of uncertainty between the couple}

_{The parents taking charge of setting the wedding dates for the couple. Don't be surprised– our elders handle these crucial details.}

You did a good job in photography! Everyone will be thrilled.

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PS:. I also write light hearted stories with a hint of humour, I'm not an old soul at all; I'm but a @soulfuldreamer

Are there any extra marks for using all the photos/ artwork in story????

Photo Credit: All images in the story belong to Bambuka, except the second one, which is the work of my camera.