Their Last Season

The plane was soaring through the clouds as Sumaiya gazed outside the window.

The flowing clouds and the snow-covered mountains, their peaks emerging from and disappearing into the mist, created a breathtaking sight.

The natural green carpet below took her breath away.

So did Hamza's.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

They simply stared at the beauty before them, afraid that words might ruin the moment.

The plane descended at Srinagar Airport.

The moment they stepped out of the airport, a cool breeze kissed their faces.

They shivered.

Hamza took her hand in his.

Together, they stepped into a new phase of life.

As the car passed through the valleys of Kashmir, they were left in awe of the scenic beauty surrounding them.

Towering mountains stood proudly in the distance while lush green meadows stretched as far as the eye could see.

Soon, they reached their hotel.

It was a two-storey building painted white, with intricate wooden carvings adorning its walls.

They made their way to their room.

The large window offered a breathtaking view of the Kashmiri valley, allowing them to admire its beauty from the comfort of their room.

They decided to rest for a bit.

---

Sumaiya was wearing a mid-thigh white kurti with black bell-bottom jeans, creating a traditional and retro-modern fusion.

The brown overcoat added more charm to her, while the black hijab added even more elegance.

Hamza was dressed in a black sweatshirt layered under an overcoat.

Casual, cosy, and elegant.

The matching black tones in both of their outfits gave them a coordinated couple aesthetic.

They decided to visit Dal Lake to watch the sunset.

They reached there by cab, enjoying the breathtaking views of the valleys.

They opted for boating first, on the colourful shikaras (traditional wooden boats).

The sunset was painting the sky in shades of gold and orange.

They both sat on the shikara.

Sumaiya gently trailed her fingers through the cool water.

She shivered.

But somehow, she felt enigmatic.

She took a few drops in her palm and splashed them towards Hamza.

He wasn't ready for it.

His expression was one of betrayal.

Sumaiya burst out laughing.

He looked at her in amusement.

"This is beautiful," he said, looking at her.

"Indeed it is," she replied, looking towards him before winking.

He was perplexed.

He had never seen this side of her.

So carefree.

So unguarded.

He loved it.

The mountains reflected on the crystal-clear surface of the lake.

Vendors were selling handicrafts, flowers, saffron, and tea from their boats.

Sumaiya bought some tea and saffron.

Then her eyes flickered towards the flowers.

She purchased a red rose and put it in her bag.

A cool breeze carried the scent of the lake.

The water was being painted in the colours of the sunset.

She requested a couple to take their picture.

She walked towards Hamza, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He looked at her as she held the rose out to him.

"In my barren heart,

I find you tugging at the heartstrings,

Playing your own symphony.

The rhythm of mine, slow and searching, matches with yours.

Creating our symphony."

Again, it was a surprise for him.

She whispered, looking directly into his eyes.

He was speechless.

His eyes turned misty.

He smiled as he accepted the rose.

She mirrored his smile.

He pulled her into a side hug, keeping the flower in his jacket pocket, close to his heart.

He didn't know how to react.

They watched the sunset in each other's arms.

---

They were at the hotel, having dinner, when Hamza started the conversation.

"Shouldn't I be the one giving you flowers?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Why so?" she asked.

"Usually, men give princess treatment. But in my case, it was different today," he voiced his thoughts.

"You men also deserve acknowledgement and confessions.

It's our marriage, so it's not just you or me.

It's us.

So be ready for these gestures," she said with a smile.

He looked at her in adoration.

---

The next day, they decided to visit Gulmarg.

They reached there.

The snow-covered landscapes were mesmerizing.

Sumaiya was busy admiring the scenery when she felt a soft, cold snowball hit her back.

She turned around to see the culprit.

Her husband was grinning at her.

She narrowed her eyes.

She picked up a snowball and threw it at him.

And just like that, a snowball fight began.

Sumaiya chased him until he slipped and fell onto his back.

She laughed at him.

The very next moment, she misjudged a step and landed on the snow herself.

They looked at each other.

Then burst into laughter.

Later, they took a gondola ride, inhaling the crisp scent of the valleys.

After enjoying themselves in Gulmarg, they decided to head towards Pahalgam.

The car was passing through the valleys of Pahalgam.

They were in awe of the canopies of pine trees.

The moment they reached there, Sumaiya took Hamza near the river.

They sat on the riverbank.

Sumaiya was wearing a multicoloured floral maxi dress with an overcoat, paired with a multicoloured hijab.

Hamza wore a cream T-shirt with brown jeans.

They complemented each other.

"Click my pictures," Sumaiya ordered.

"Are you asking or telling?" he raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think?" she snickered.

He shook his head.

"Your wish is my command, Begum," he said, giving her a fake salute.

He clicked her aesthetic pictures against the beautiful backdrop of the river.

She then asked him to join her for some selfies.

He gladly obliged.

Once they were done taking pictures, they headed for a horse ride.

Sumaiya was thrilled, but Hamza was a little scared.

Sumaiya looked at him, studying his expressions.

She forwarded her hand towards him.

He took it.

She gently squeezed it, offering him comfort.

He was in awe of her.

Nothing was said, yet so much was understood.

They sat on the horse together, taking a ride through the whole Pahalgam Valley.

She clicked pictures of the clouds flowing over the mountains as their peaks emerged through them.

It was time for sunset.

"Let's walk beside the Lidder River, Sumi," he said, taking her hand.

She nodded.

They walked peacefully beside the river.

Then Hamza started the conversation.

"You know, I have been in love with you since the day I first saw you."

She looked at him in surprise.

"You lost your heart after looking at my picture?" she teased.

He shook his head.

She narrowed her eyes.

"You are saying it as if you saw me somewhere before the picture and fell in love with me."

"What if I say it's exactly like that?" he replied casually.

She gasped, her mouth falling open.

"No way, Hamza!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, Begum."

She remained silent for a minute before bombarding him with questions.

"When? Where? How?" she asked breathlessly.

He chuckled.

She hit him on the arm.

"Ouch! Why are you committing domestic violence against this innocent husband of yours, sweetheart?" he huffed.

"Hamza," she warned.

"Okay, okay. I'm telling you."

He raised his hands in surrender.

"It was mid-September. Some cultural programs were taking place at Delhi University.

My friend Rahil asked me to tag along to his cousin's cultural event.

I was free, and who says no to their best friend?

We went there.

The opening speech of the event was being delivered by a girl.

I was busy looking at my phone.

'Good afternoon, everyone,' the girl started.

The voice made my breath hitch.

I looked towards the source.

I saw a girl in her early twenties.

Her eyes were adorned with kohl.

Her face was bare of makeup.

She wasn't extraordinarily beautiful.

But to me, she looked breathtaking.

Those eyes made me forget everything.

They were ordinary black eyes.

Yet somehow, they worked magic on me.

And I knew I was doomed.

I only managed to hear her name.

Sumaiya."

He smiled at the memory.

"After that, she had to leave early.

I tried to gather information about her so I could send a proposal, but I couldn't find anything except her name.

Two years later, my mother sent me a photograph of a prospective bride.

I didn't even want to look at it.

I was still stuck on that pair of black eyes.

I didn't want to ruin another girl's life.

But the moment I glanced at the photo..."

He paused.

"I stood up so abruptly that my phone fell to the floor.

The sound broke my trance.

I quickly picked it up.

I rubbed my eyes to check whether I was dreaming.

But it was your photo.

I immediately typed 'yes' to my mother."

He chuckled.

Sumaiya looked at him with a horrified expression.

It was too much for her to process.

Then a teasing smirk replaced her shock.

"Oh, so I have admirers I don't even know about.

Today I found out about you.

I wonder how many more there are."

She smirked.

Until then, he had been smiling.

Now, a frown covered his forehead.

"What do you mean by many more?

Everyone knows you're mine now.

Nobody will dare look at you.

I won't allow it, Begum."

He sounded completely serious, but to Sumaiya, it was adorable.

She laughed.

He looked at her with a betrayed expression.

They smiled.

So did the valleys.