Companion for Trip

Mike's POV

We reached the old town station. We started walking and in 5-10 minutes reached the market. We saw a street musician playing saxophone with his eyes closed. There was a crowd gathered around him. We joined the crowd and enjoyed the music. We then took a local taxi from the market area and headed towards the church.

Within 20-25 minutes, we reached the church. It was a beautiful, magnificent old church decorated beautifully with mosaics and marbles. We enjoyed the calmness and peace. Behind the church, there was a beautiful lake. We went and sat along the lakeside.

Mary looked at me and asked "So?"

I grew a bit confused and asked her "so?"

"Did you like it?"

"I love it. Thanks, Mary for bringing me here."

"No Problem".

"So Mary. Do you travel often?"

"Yup. I have made it a point to explore one place every year."

"Wow. That's cool. So you traveled solo every time?"

"Mostly since you know how protective the families can get when you travel with them. You cannot get to the adventurous side then."

"True...What about friends or boyfriend?"

"Nah...My friends prefer comfortable trips like Josh and for boyfriend, my medical study and job didn't give me time to get close to anyone."

"Oh ok. I understand your job is quite hectic, stressful and there is no fixed timing."

"Exactly but the worst part is people don't understand the complexity of the situation sometimes. People consider doctors as gods but they forgot we are also human- beings. We can try our best to save someone's life but if God has some other plan then even we are helpless."

I can sense shiver and sadness in her voice. I held her hands. To divert from the topic I spoke "You know it's amazing to hear a doctor talking about god plan. Most doctors don't show faith."

"Actually every doctor believes in god but we cannot express the faith in front of people who are already panicked or sick."

"I understand. So how long have you been living in New York?"

"Since a year and a half."

"Wow."What about you?"

"It's been almost a year now."

"Wow. So do you like the city? I love New York."

"Actually not really. I guess this city has bought me enough surprises and shocks." I said

" I believe you are going through some rough patch of life but trust me sometimes it's not the city it's the situation and wrong people around you."

I sighed."Maybe" I told in a low voice

Mary told my hands and put it on my heart. "Just ask yourself and you will get the answer," she said looking into my eyes. I smiled.

"Anyways I am starving so shall we proceed?" Mary said putting her hands on her stomach

"After you Madame"

"French already? Not bad."

We came out of the church and took a cab to the market area. We went to a street with different food stalls. There was a sitting area dedicated to all these stall foods. We took a place. There was a menu card placed on the table. As soon as Mary saw it she started looking at the dishes.

" One thing that I need to try is Pike Dumpling..." She said looking at the menu.

"huh?"

"It's the signature dish of Lyon"

"Ok. So suggest something for me as well?"

"Do you want the signature dish too?" she asked looking at the menu

"Nope. I will take a bite from yours. Something different I will prefer."

Mary checked the menu and said "Mike go for Gateau de foie de volaille"

"Is this the dish name or your address and exactly what is it? I will prefer something which will stay on my plate. I don't want any weird dish."

Mary laughed "Relax Mike. It is chicken livers blitzed with cream, garlic, eggs, and herbs. They are mostly eaten with tomato sauce and salad."

"Wow, this sounds tempting."

"It indeed is."

"So..some wine to go with it?"

"Mike I have heard there is a vineyard in one of the medieval villages around 20 km away. I was thinking maybe we can go there to taste the wine?"

"Sounds good. What is the itinerary tomorrow?"

"Church and local Market."

"So what they were doing in the afternoon?"

"A show to silk weaving history " I don't think I would have enjoyed any show like that."

" Exactly we will be going live to a silk factory and will see" Her eyes sparkled.

Our order arrived. We enjoyed our meal and then left for our accommodation. Upon reaching our accommodation apartment as we opened the door we saw Josh and Radha sitting on the couch. As soon as Josh saw us he asked

"Hey, dude where did you guys get lost?"

"We were quite interested in the old architecture and were asking guide different aspects related to the architectural elements that we didn't realize the time and we missed our bus," Mary replied confidently

"Wow...You should be an archaeologist and not a doctor." Radha said

Josh thought for a while and then uttered "But I didn't see you guys during the show."

"Actually we entered a bit late as Mary was not feeling well. " I responded instantly

"Hey, Mary are you ok? What happened?" Radha asked in a worried tone

Mary glared at me and then turning to Radha answered "Ya just was feeling a bit of tired from all the travel."

" I thought you are a frequent solo traveler," Radha said with a confused expression

Mary looked at me like she will kill me and then looked at Radha " I am a frequent traveler but my other travel was like 4-5 hrs. This is the first time I have traveled for 16hrs."

"Actually even I am feeling a bit jet-lagged. You know I even took a nap during the show." Josh said stretching his arms

"Now I know who was snoring." Radha chuckled

"Hey guys I am feeling a bit tired so I will directly retire to bed," I announced to avoid further questioning

"What about dinner? We were waiting for you guys to join us for dinner." Radha asked looking a bit disappointed.

"Really sorry Radha but I am not feeling hungry after the evening munching."

" When did you munch?" Josh asked

Man why this guy wants to know everything. I thought

"Actually I carry some snacks every time I travel so while on our way we had a handful of nuts and snacks," Mary said

"Next time I am gonna carry an ample amount of snacks with me," Josh said

"Ya..me too...My husband will be surprised."

To divert the topic I asked "So Radha. You are getting married next month and you told it's an arranged marriage so what if you don't like the guy?"

"He is my dad's best friend son. I know him since childhood so there is nothing like I don't like him."

"Have you two been on a date?"

" Actually now I think, then I realized that we have never been on a date."

"Guys I am feeling a bit tired so I will see you guys tomorrow morning," Mary said

"Yup and I am starving so Radha lets go to the cafeteria." josh said as his stomach growls

"sure. You guys carry on. Cya." I waved them bye.

Josh and Radha went towards the cafeteria and I and Mary came into our respective rooms. After a hot shower, I was just relaxing. I went to the kitchen to fill the water bottle and I spotted Mary in the living room balcony. I went to her.

"I thought you were sleepy."

Mary looked at me angrily.'You know you are a bad liar."

"So what do you expect? It's not every day that I lie."

"But seriously Mike I told you first day itself that I am a traveler and you told Josh and Radha that I fell sick. What you were thinking? Glad they buy your words."

"Why do you care so much about what they think. You told me a few hours back to not bother about people's judgments and now what you are doing?"

Mary signed.

"Guess you are right but I really like both Radha and Josh. They are really good people. Nowadays it's really hard to find good people."

Suddenly Catherine's face came in front of me.

"Do you have any best friends at work Mike?"

"Yup. His name is David"

It's strange but true. Within a short span of time David had become my best friend. We stood on the balcony for some time and then retired to our beds. The next Day Mary has planned a visit to a vineyard which is 20 km away from our accommodation. But apart from traveling our biggest question is how to sneak out. We went for breakfast in the cafeteria along with Josh and Radha. Mary took a glass of juice and sat with us. She didn't talk much and was quite silent.

"what happened Mary? You look quite pale." Radha asked as she noticed Mary being silent

"Actually I am not feeling too well."

"omg doctor is sick. What will we do now? Our doctors need a doctor." Josh said

"Stop being dramatic Josh. It's just I am having a body ache." Mary replied

Mary whispered to Radha "It's my that time of the month"

"O gosh. How will you travel."

"That's what I am thinking. Maybe I will stay here today."

"But we are here to explore the places and moreover how can we leave you alone." josh said sipping the juice

Don't worry Guys. I will stay with Mary." I said instantly

Both Josh and Radha raised their brows

"Is there something which we are missing here?" Radha chuckled

"Huh...What? No...Actually, I am not a traveler as well so I am feeling a bit exhausted so I thought maybe I could stay." I managed and rephrase my words.

"Ok.sounds good. I would have loved to stay with Mary but I don't know when will be my next solo trip so I want to make full use of it." Radha said putting her hands over Mary's hand

"Don't think about it much Radha. Mike is here. Enjoy your trip to the fullest." Mary said with a smile

"Thanks."

We waited for both buses to leave. After both buses left we got ready and called the taxi services and hired a private cab to travel to the vineyard.