Malad lay on her bed. It was past 1:00 a.m. but she could not sleep. She stared at the lifeless night-lamp and dreamed with her eyes wide open. The past week flashed in front of her eyes; the tables changed, the dishes changed, the waiters and waitresses changed, and the restaurants changed. But one thing remained the same. Amdo's hand in hers.
Amdo and his big black eyes, that sparkled and bounced when he laughed. His soft, dark hands that clutched hers, like she was a fairy that would fly away any moment if he let go. His muscled shoulders that spoke of the strength inside him. The strength that had helped him survive in his adventures around the world. And his soft, delicate heart that had helped him live. Amdo told her about his family, his life, his passions, and his love. His love for her.
And as she fell deeper and deeper into her daydreams, she knew what her answer would be. "I love you, too," she whispered into her pillow, picking it up like a baby and swinging it around as she danced around her room with the sudden revelation.
Her eyes darted across the room to her phone. Picking it up, her fingers moved at their own accord, and she did not even realise until Amdo's deep voice called "Hello!" that she had called him.
"I just wanted to say..." she paused, "that I will go on the expedition with you."
"Really?! That's amazing!" he exclaimed. Now, it was his turn to dance around, fumbling with everything in his room.
"I'm sorry for calling so late," she apologised, "but it just couldn't wait." but she could not do it on a phone call.
"I understand." said he, "I just... can't wait."
"Me too," she replied.
The next few days were spent on the packing and the fussing. But it was all made easier, by the presence of Malad for Amdo and of Amdo for Malad. The sun went up when they met at each others house and went down when they left. It was the summer holidays, so Malad did not even have to take days off. Her sister bustled about her, asking questions about the young gentleman while her mother gave her more and more lectures. Don't do this. Don't do that. Don't sleep in the same room. Ask them for different beds. Single beds. Call if anything goes wrong. Don't answer to strangers. And the same thing over and over again. As if she were a little kid.
Amdo's family was much more used to his travelling. They knew he could take care of himself and trusted him. Why could her family not do the same?
What was even more worrying, whenever she asked him where they were going and what they were going to do, he just replied, "Research."
She had been packing, or trying to pack, for hours. She was fussing with which pyjamas to take and which to leave when her frustration overcame her, and she slammed them both onto the floor.
Amdo came rushing in. "What happened?" he asked.
"This stupid expedition is what happened", she replied, breaking into sobs, and paused for a moment, then, "why can nobody trust me! It's not like I'm the devil's child!" she opened up.
"Who can't trust you?" he asked, perplexed.
"Everyone, including you." she answered.
"Hey, hey, hey, who said I don't trust you? Of course I trust you." He replied in a soothing tone. Patting her on the back.
"Then how come you never tell me where we are going and what we are going to do?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I-", he fumbled, "It was going to be a surprise, alright!" he screamed in frustration, "But if you want it, I can tell you what it is..."
"No," she replied sharply, "if it's a surprise, it's okay. I mean, this is my first expedition after all, I might as well... Go with the flow."
"And," she added, "I trust you."
"I trust you too," he answered, and they both gleamed with bright smiles.
Suddenly, they realised how close they were standing to each other. After all, with the mess of clothes all around the room and the huge opened suitcase in the middle, those were the only two spots available. Their noses were a hair's breadth apart. Malad closed her eyes and leaned in while Amdo stood there, frozen. The door burst open.
"My, what a mess!" her mother and sister screamed in unison.
Malad and Amdo glanced at each other and then at her family in unison.
"Let me help you," her mother offered.
"No, I- I got this" replied Malad.
"Are you sure?" she confirmed.
"Yes." was the firm answer.