Drishti and Shravan stepped down from the flight and they were welcomed by the hot climate of Zidra deserts.
“I am visiting a desert for the first time.” Drishti said.
“It is such a shame that being a Rajasthani bride, you never went into the deserts.” Shravan pointed out.
“You never took me.” Drishti shot back.
“Now it is my fault? You were never interested in going into the desert. You always wanted a beach. In the past six years, it has only gone to a hill station rather than a beach.” Shravan said, pointing at Drishti’s obsession with beaches and surfing.
“If you had convinced me well, I would have definitely come.” Drishti said, not willing to lose an argument and as usual Shravan gave up without further arguments.
They were here in Zidra as the special guests of the nation’s Crown Prince Sheikh Zayed Ahmed al Zidra.
It was the coronation the next day and Shravan and Drishti had planned a desert hiking before they reached the Ahmed Palace. Mithran and Chaahat will be joining them in the evening.
As they were driven further into the desert, the golden sand stretched endlessly before them, shimmering in the intense sunlight. Drishti shielded her eyes with her hand, taking in the breathtaking sight before her.
"Okay, I have to admit," Drishti said, "despite being a beach lover, this desert is pretty impressive."
Shravan grinned, nudging her playfully. "See, I knew you'd come around. Now, brace yourself for the real desert experience."
They had arranged for a guided tour of the desert, complete with a knowledgeable local guide named Aslam, who was well-versed in the art of cracking jokes and making tourists feel at ease.
Aslam greeted them with a warm smile.
"Welcome to the Zidra Deserts, the land of endless sand and occasional mirages! So, are you both ready for some desert adventure?"
Drishti exchanged a glance with Shravan, and they both nodded eagerly.
Aslam led them through the stunning desert landscape, pointing out various flora and fauna that managed to thrive in such harsh conditions.
"Look there," he said, "that's a cactus. You know what they say about cacti? They're like the loners of the plant world—prickly on the outside but surprisingly soft on the inside, just like my wife."
Shravan burst out laughing, while Drishti couldn't help but chuckle. "Your poor wife," Drishti said, "but it seems she has competition now."
Aslam winked at her, "Ah, no one can compete with her, but I try my best. Now, have you ever seen a desert fox? They're clever little creatures, always on the lookout for food."
As they continued their desert trek, Aslam told them stories of the desert's history and the brave souls who once roamed these arid lands. He then spoke in great lengths about the previous crown prince Salim Ahmed al Zidra, who for some reason abdicated the crown, making his younger brother step up and take the responsibility.
“And then there are this amazing set of triplets. The next heir to the Zidra throne. Zahir, Zian and Zada. The naughtiest little creatures you will ever see.” Aslam said with a chuckle, remembering taking the Sheikha Aveline and the kids on a guided tour around the desert a couple of weeks ago.
It was such a delight to spend time with them.
“We will be seeing them tonight. Let’s see if they are as naughty as you say.” Drishti said and Aslam smiled at that.
He continued to show around the desert.
The couple was in awe of the rich culture and heritage associated with the desert, and they couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
After a while, they stumbled upon a sand dune that was perfect for sandboarding.
“You wanna try out?” Aslam asked and Drishti nodded in excitement. She is good at surfing. And she can easily manage sandboarding.
“Are you sure?” Shravan asked.
“Of course. You hold Dhruv while I do it.” Drishti said happily. Shravan was doubtful.
“Watch me do it.” Aslam said and confidently climbed to the top of the dune and positioned himself on the board. "Ready?" he shouted.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" Drishti replied, a mischievous grin on her face.
As Aslam glided down the dune, he managed to maintain his balance.
“OMG! This is amazing!" Drishti called out.
Drishti tried to mimic his moves but ended up tumbling down the dune, landing face-first in the sand. Aslam rushed to her side, trying not to laugh too hard.
"Don't worry, it happens to the best of us!"
Drishti spat out sand and shot Shravan a mock glare. "Next time, I am sticking to the beach."
As the sun began to set, the desert transformed into a magical landscape of oranges, pinks, and purples. They found a cosy spot to sit and admire the breathtaking scenery.
"It's like nature's own canvas," Drishti said, her eyes glistening with awe.
Shravan wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"And you thought deserts were boring!" Shravan couldn’t help but taunt good naturedly.
"I stand corrected," she replied, leaning her head against his chest. "This has been an incredible day."
As darkness fell, they made their way back to the starting point, where a campfire awaited them.
Aslam regaled them with more funny anecdotes and ghost stories, keeping them entertained throughout the night.
In the midst of laughter and shared moments, Drishti realised that visiting the desert with Shravan was one of the best decisions she'd ever made. The beauty of the desert had captivated her, but the joy of experiencing it with the person she loved made it all the more special.
With stars twinkling above them, baby Dhruv was tucked well into his blankets and he laid peacefully in his bassinet and they lay side by side, hand in hand, feeling the desert's vastness and the closeness of their bond. As they drifted off to sleep under the desert sky, they knew that this adventure would forever be etched in their hearts as one of their fondest memories together.