"Are you serious?" Theo's eyes popped out when we reached the Zip-line and Aerial Adventure Park in Hunter Mountains.
"Never been so serious." I replied placing my hand on his shoulder.
Trust me, I was afraid of heights but still wanted to try it as it would be fun and moreover, Theo loved such physical pursuits. We both had planned trying Bungee jumping together but since right now it wasn't possible, I thought Zip-lining would do it.
"We would like to go together." I told the man who was putting me into all the safety cables, seat and belts, pointing towards Theo. He nodded and asked Theo to come forward, as well.
"Alice, I really think it's not a good idea. We'll do this some other time." He said so slowly that only I could hear.
"Why? Is someone scared?" I teased him.
"No, I am not scared. I am worried about you, though." I know he was a bit nervous but not scared. He was saying that because of me.
"Oh come on, Theo! Imagine flying through the air, suspended from a cable by only a nylon strap, nearly 600 feet above the ground, at over 50 miles per hour! We'll take in the magnificent views of the Northern Catskills from a point where only birds have gone before."
He stood quiet.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine and we are going together so I will have you with me if I get scared."
"Okay, then." He too got the pulley attached and the belts tied up and was ready.
The next was out turn to slide.
Riley took a picture of both of us, before we pushed ourselves for the slide. Theo was behind me, tied up with me. I gave a smile and raised my thumbs up for the picture. As I heard the camera's clicking sound, I jumped from the platform to go sliding through the cable with the pulley sliding along with us.
At first I closed my eyes, as I realised I was 600-ft above the ground. I clutched Theo's one hand tightly. I shouted, "You were right! We should've tried it some other time. It's scary!"
"Alice?" I heard him calling me out.
"What?" I was feeling as if I was going against the gravity. I could feel the pressure. With that speed, it was even hard to talk. But I really was feeling as if I was flying, helplessly though!
"I love you. Now open your eyes and enjoy the view. I promise, you won't fall or anything. I am there. Open your eyes, please. Look it's so beautiful." I felt his other arm around my waist.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, slowly.
Oh my god! The view of the Catskills was really awesome and breath taking from above. I took both my hands out and enjoyed the feeling that I was flying. Theo joined me and held my both hands out.
"This is amazing! Woooh!" I screamed. I wished that moment to stop there forever. But then I thought it would be better if we were on grounds, forever than 600-ft above the grounds.
As we reached the other end, I felt a bit more relaxed once I began feeling the platform under my feet. They untied us and I took a place to sit, for a while. Theo came to sit besides me and hugged me, sideways.
"How was it?" I asked him, resting my head on his shoulder.
"It was amazing and with you even more amazing. Thankyou so much for this experience." He kissed my forehead. "Now, what's next?" He asked.
"Boat tours!" I exclaimed and suddenly the little nauseated feeling I was having, vanished.
"Wow! Let's hurry then."
Riley was already at the other end, waiting for us. We clicked a few pictures then went for the boat tours in Hunter Mountains.
The lake and the boating was still and calm as compared to the last event. We asked Riley to join us for the ride. But he insisted us to go alone. At the end, he finally agreed and jumped into the boat.
For about one hour, we spent there. It was 3:30 p.m by the time we came out. We all were feeling hungry. So, I asked Riley to get the food basket from the car. Till then, we found a suitable place to sit to have our little lunch picnic.
I laid down a cloth I brought, on the grass bed and arranged the basket on one side with some place for us to sit.
•••
After enjoying a hearty laugh at the lunch, it was now time for my last stop. From the time I moved to New York, I had heard a lot about the Kaaterskill Falls and the view it have from its top of the Hunter Mountains. I had always wished to see it but never got a chance till today. Soon sun was going to set, adding only an another awesome view.
While the falls are on public land, they can only be reached via the Kaaterskill Falls Trail, a state-maintained yellow-blazed path running 0.4 mile (650 m) uphill from NY 23A, the only road through the clove.
The trail is served by two parking lots along 23A, both of which require a walk of at least 0.2 mile (400 m) to reach the trailhead at Bastion Falls, just above 23A at a bend in the road.
Due to both the rugged surrounding terrain and the limitations placed on Forest Preserve land by the state constitution, New York's Department of Transportation (DOT) has been unable to expand the narrow shoulder on either side of the road, requiring that, visitors walk very close to high-speed traffic, including trucks, some of which are in the middle of descending a pronounced grade. The risk of serious accidents is very high. Both DOT and DEC have indicated a willingness to sit down and work out a solution that will accommodate their concerns, however this has not happened as of 2006.
So to avoid all of this, we, actually I decided to go by parking at North-South Lake and then following the closed route of the former Escarpment Trail. Though, this wass equally risky as it runs very near the edge of the falls but would also be a thrilling experience.
To hear the sound of the falling water so closely, could make anyone dumbstruck. We walked, keeping ourselves as away as possible, from the edge. Few times, my foot slipped, making some of the rocks of the steep and rocky slopes of the trail.
I wondered what would happen down there if I fell down.
Walking made me tired and I started expereincing shortness of breath. I stopped to have a few sips of water. Theo suggested to wait for a while but I didn't wanted to miss the sunset view. So, I chose to keep walking till we reach the Falls.
Finally, we made it to the falls. The top of the falls was officially closed for hiking due to safety purpose after few incidents took place. But the real view was from there.
The trail officially ends, and is blocked off at, the lower of the two falls. However, the former treadway is still usable, and many visitors continue past the brush pile to get closer to the falls. I decided the same.
Theo asked me to mark a stop here only but I refused. I told him that if he wanted to stay, he could but I will go on further as it would hardly take 7-9 minutes to reach there.
I continued to the top of the falls. On the way, I suddenly felt an immense pain in my stitches. I covered it from over and pressed it a little. I turned around to see where Theo was.
He was a little behind and no one else was around. I slowly lifted my t-shirt up to check my bandage. There was a blood stain on it. I didn't understand why was it bleeding.
"Tired?" I heard Theo behind me. I quickly pulled the t-shirt down and turned back to him, smiling.
"No. I was waiting for you, my tortoise." He came closer to me and placed his hand around my waist. Luckily, his hand was still away from the bandage but his grip around it was making me feel pain.
"Are you alright?" He asked me noticing a little pained expression on my face.
"Yes, absolutely. Now, come let's go. A solid sunset is waiting for us." I started walking ignoring the pain.
The next view that I had was unbelievable. The sky was turning bright red with little yellow in between. The sun was half pink and half red-yellow. Birds were going back to their nests and the Hunter Mountains were turning dark green as the sun's light was fading away. We could still hear the waterfalls. I could have stayed there a little longer if it was possible.
I looked at Theo who was equally awestrucked at that moment by the beauty of nature. He looked back at me, right into my eyes and then leaned in to kiss me.
This was the best kiss of my life.
"Time to go home now." I smiled and said, as he still held me in his warm embrace.
My chest was burning with pain and I was having a little problem with my breathing. I was now thinking of going back as soon as possible and reach Dr. Phil.
"Not so soon. Now, I have a surprise for you." He kissed me again.
"Surprise? What surprise?" I quizzed. I was worried and praying to god to keep me fine till I reach home.
"For that you will have to come to my place from here. Let's go."
The walk back to where Riley parked the car, was very slow. The pain was increasing with every passing minute. Thankfully, it was dark now and Theo was unable to see my face or else he'd have known that something was wrong with me.
•••
I don't know when I slept in the car on our way back. When I woke up, I was in a dark room. Where was I?
"Theo?" I called out.
There was no response. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Then, I noticed a figure.
"Theo?" I once again called out.
This time a candle was lighted. With candle's dim light I made out that it was Theo. He one by one, lighted up the whole room with candles.
As the room filled with light, I recognised the familiar interiors. It was his room but with some changes.
I saw a big picture hanging from the wall which wasn't there before. I didn't see it before and I was sure about it. If I would have seen it, I'd have recalled it as it was big enough to cover the whole wall. I walked up to see the picture.
It was a picture of Theo and me. An old picture, in which I was sitting on his laps and he was holding me from my waist and kissing my hairs. That was my favourite picture and I once told him that I'd frame that picture one day and hang it in my room forever. I had tears in my eyes when I saw the older us- Happy and carefree.
"Did you liked it?" He whispered in my ears softly.
I nodded my head in a yes as I was on the verge of crying because of the mixed emotions going on inside me.
He turned me to face him. As I turned, he stepped aside, to clear my view.
Above his bed, with white LEDs was written 'Alice & Theo' with a heart. I looked down on the floor and a formation made with candles caught hold of my attention.
It was written 'I Love You'. As, I read it, the lights turned on. I looked around and noticed a lot of our pictures together and some of my single pictures hanging on the other walls.
I looked back at Theo who was standing near the light switches. My vision was already blurred because of the tears but there was smile on my lips.
"I love you." I finally managed to say that.
"I know." He said. "There's one last thing on the bed for you." He pointed towards the bed.
On the left side of the bed were rose petals and with them there was "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" written.
I couldn't believe my eyes and started crying. For a while, I completely forgot about the pain. My hands reached to hold both my cheeks and I sat down on the floor.
He came crawling to me and then kneeled down. He hugged me and I hugged him back. He wiped my tears and made me stand. I stood up with his support.
I was looking at him, when he called me.
"Alice? Alice, are you okay? " I couldn't understand why was he asking me that.
I couldn't reply him anything as I suddenly was feeling very weak.
"Alice, there's blood!" I saw him looking down at my t-shirt. I followed back his gaze and found my t-shirt really covered in blood.
"Mom! Mom!" I heard him shout. My legs started to give up and I couldn't stand anymore. I was about to fall when he held me. I looked at him but something was interrupting in between.
My eyes!
Soon his face disappeared and all I could see was darkness.