The Ride is written entirely from Yeong's POV :

We ambled in the winding narrow streets and colourful neighbourhoods in the next city. Beside the charming square which is positioned right in the middle of the city lies an enormous Cathedral with varying architecture styles all housed within it, as well as a regulated tower where we had to climb, proceeding up slowly, round and round the tight, windowless, spiral staircase, to get the pananomic and amazing view of the old city.

We rode on rented bikes to the scientific and cultural site with surreal architecture that are surrounded by bodies of water.  There, with its steel and furturistic buildings, is a vast contrast from the old city, which is packed with old, stone and red-brick buildings. There are several themes, e.g. indoor park with palm trees, huge oceania with impressive array of sea creatures, dolphins shows, …

In the exhibition halls lay some extraordinary pieces which starkly blurred the lines which used to divide engineering, technology and arts. Rather than being traditionally different subjects, these disciplines were used and merged edgelessly in the exhibits.

Riding our hoverboards along the coast, we enjoyed the sea breezes and delicious drink consisting of local orange juice and vodka. You glanced at the time while we returned our hoverboards to the vendors, “It is still early as the bus driver told us that the last bus is 10pm. That gives us enough time to return to our hotel to refreshen up, check out and walk to the rail station.”

“Good… (I glanced around and a nearby restaurant décor caught my eye)… Shall we have dinner there? “

“Dinner, we shall have!”

“When have you became Yoda?”

“May the force be with you!” you laughed “Let’s have some food before the crowd comes in!”

We shared a simple dinner of sandwiches and proceeded to the bus stop. After waiting for a while, the bus was still not in sight. We asked a passerby and was shocked to discover that the last bus was scheduled at 9pm, instead of 10pm!

“There is no taxis around. So shall we walk back to our hotel then? The bus trip earlier was 5 mins, so it will take us at most 1 hour to reach our hotel on foot.”

I glanced around, “Sure. But I don’t recall the entire journey …”

“I remember the landmarks along the way. Let’s move.”

I observed you, who held my hand tightly. You looked, thought, scanned around for traffic before making a move or change direction at every junction. We passed by rows of shops, crossed a bridge.. everything looked so familiar. Like déjà vu. I was wowed that you kept a weather eye on most things. It is unthinkable.

“I told you that I can remember..” you said that as a joke, “Anyway, that was not a long way.” You are humble tonight.

“You are really good!” this is a heart-felt compliment. "What training have you gone through to remember journeys to such precision?"

"It came consciously, after years of independence and living abroad by myself."

We didn’t have time to bath after reaching the hotel. We quickly picked up our bags, dashed to the railway station, and just made it to board the overnight train.

We found our seats. “Sorry, no sleeper was left when I made the booking for this leg.”

“It’s okay. We will reach our destination by dawn. It is not a long ride."

“Tomorrow is your day.. I know you have been looking forward to visit the the exhibition at the ancient hall.”

“Yes, that’s correct!” You recalled? I shouldn't be surprised after the earlier hike. I smiled brilliantly, despite the tiredness from the long walk just now.

“Need something to drink?” you asked.

“Not really. I just need a quick washroom break.” On my way back, I passed by the cafeteria with a vast aroma of caffeine. I found you waiting for me at our seats with bright smiles, “Here, Love! The best hot chocolate I found so far!” You bought the drink from the push cart in the train.

I couldn’t help but beamed from ear to ear. This is my man. Considerate. Thoughtful.

“This is your latte.” as I handed you your favourite beverage.

I took the inside seat comfortably and felt the thick liquid cocoa flowed down my throat, soothing my insides. You inched closer. “You smell so nice!” I heard your words blown into my ears. I laughed at the ridiculosity as we have not had the chance to refreshen up after that long hike from the place of interest. Staring at how your eyes are glued to mine now, focused, unwavered.. Do you know that you made feel really beautiful, thoroughly, inside out, irregardless of circumstances? “We both do”, I giggled.

We chatted a bit more. My eyelids felt like lead and closed as the the train ruttled on ...

In the middle of the night, I dreamt that dream and as usual, suddenly jerked up, eyes opened, fingers clenched onto the armrest tightly, blood pumping furiously and tensely through my body... felt sweat on my forehead.. I surveyed my surroundings, trying to grab my bearings..

“What happened, Love?” was your warm voice. You pulled me close. I am sure that you felt my goosebumps as you wrapped your toned arms around me protectively, but you did not comment. 

It took some moments before I could gather some strength to squeeze you back.. acknowledging my gratitude...  my eyes remained closed, though heart rate was still racing, reminants of the nightmare lingered. I am acquainted to you now – the way you move, the strong beating of your heart – Enclosed in your hug soothed me more than what I had expected. My sense of fright would dissipate soon and calmness could prevail.  

“A bad dream?” you asked as I felt warmth on my forehead. I nodded lightly.  "I am here..." I heard your assurance, calm and affirming.

We visited the landmark of the next city once we dropped off our luggages and refreshened up. There was a long queue outside the palace.

“Luckily, you have booked the tickets to the palace and gardens online.” You said cheerfully.

“There is a quota on the number of visitors to the palace daily”, I answered, “we are lucky to get our hands on the tickets”, as we strolled hand in hand into the palace.

We were transported back in time via this inspiring architerctural grandeur, and ushered into its beautiful history and deep heritage.

The fortress and palace are the tangible testament of its Islamic past. Through the gate at the defensive fortress, we entered the royal palace. The large rectangular pool in front of the palace both acted as a mirror and created a heightened sense of space; as well as circulates cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.  

The ceiling of the throne room was made by thousands of pieces of cedar wood with interlace patterns. As sunlight poured into the room through the ceiling, the architecture within the structure created a dramatic silhouette of the throne, and invoked an unmistakable sense of power (of the king).

"Interestingly, there were twin doors at the entrance of the chambers, with one leading to the centre of the palace and the other leading to a dead end. These were designed to confuse the would be assailants." I read from the pamphlet.

"The door on the right originally lead to a dead end. The door on the left lead to the centre of the palace." you continued.

The highlight of the most beautiful room is actually in its dome –  the light goes through the stained glass windows of the dome to deliver beautiful reflections; and that blended in with the numerous inscriptions that was encompassed in its constellation design, presenting a colourful galaxy of stars right up in the ceiling!

As we sauntered around the rooms inside the palace, we note the marble columns that were mafe so artistically and symmetrically; with a layer of lead in each column, whose function is to absorb any seismic movement or any expansion/ontraction of materials; brilliant use of light, space and in ornamental decoration, etc; All those thoughts behind the masterpiece showed the wealth of the rulers and the dedication of the craftsmen.

We took many pictures there, with you, me, and us as the subjects. “Love! Come here.. " You stood by me and took pictures of our couple hiking shoes, same design but different colour. “You sure?” I asked. “Of course! I can’t wait to tell the world that you are with me….”  You were so loud that some surrounding tourists turned their heads to look at us.

We meandered around happily in that huge palace. At a corner of the garden, off the beaten tracks, some distance away from the crowds, I reviewed the landscapes and portraits I took from your camera's viewing panel while waiting for you to return from the washroom.

After quite a while, I saw you jogging back.

"What took you so long? I was about to despatch a royal search party!"

"Oh.. ermmh, I was kind of caught in a labyrinth just now... ", a smile appeared on your face, a rather sheepish one though. It is quite rare that you are lost. Anyway, I am glad to see you back.

I handed you your mug. "Are you okay?"

"Yes...", as you gulped a few mouthfuls of water.

"Oh", I pointed you to the camera's viewing panel, "Dear, you know... I was looking at your pictures..." I peeped at you, then the pictures again, "How did you look so young?"

You glanced through the pictures, "Me? Young? ... Do I? ...  Erhmmmm, you made me happy, and hence made me look younger."

I don't quite know how to react.

You approached, carried me up to the ledge so that we could be at eye-level. Somehow, we mis-timed and our heads knocked into each other, causing some laughter. Then, I could feel your body heat. I studied you closely. Your hair, slightly tousled by the wind, lustrous, thick. Your features defined, alluring. Your eyes, glistened in the sunrays, illuminated and mesmerised the life forms around. Your lips, full, appealing. Your jaw, defined, slightly decorated with stubbles, ticklish. Your body closeby, toned, warm to touch. Your voice hoarse, seductive. Your breath near, enchanting.  You, in simple white cotton shirt and faded blue jeans … Putting together, everything, is just so right ..  When your brown eyes caught me staring, I couldn't help but blush. Noticing colour appeared on my cheeks, a smile etched its way into your face. You adjusted my position so that I could sit on the ledge more comfortably as your eyes continued to charm and unlatch the lockets of my soul. You closed the distance. Then, we did not attempt to win a war to decide whose influence would dominate the palace’s decoration, but it was more of seeking the closeness of sharing one’s breath at that one timeless moment. Heat warmed my cheeks as our meeting continued. Electrifying. Sensous. Felt like an explosion of the best flavours that I have ever tried thus far. Soft sounds escaped our bodies. Souls seemed to have left. The world outside doesn’t exist. I was left boneless.

“There is so much in store here.”

“Agree. Let’s check out the exhibition, it is located at the building over there! We are so lucky to have made it on the last day of the exhibition!”

Unfortunately, the stairs were closed for cleaning an we had to make do with the old lift. It has iron grills to open and no windows to the outside. I paused a while, considering... The lift attendant opened the gates of the lift for us to get in, and closed it before clicking on the 6^th button. The lift stubbornly made some noise before it reluctantly inched its way up. I felt that you shifted close to me and rubbed my shoulders. As the old lift shook noisily as it moved, I shivered. Your hold tightened. 

That night, after washing up, I walked to the windows and looked down into the streets. You appeared with a cup of honey, “Here, Love!”

In your arms, we embraced the vivid and romantic ambience that floated leisurely around the city square, with the old buildings and fountains decorated in thousands of little light bulbs. Some people are drinking and dancing in the pubs.

“Dear..”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for easing my tensions in the lift. Don’t think I have told you this… You know, when I was in third grade, I was small and plain, with much too normal grades, and my mum was too busy to look at me. In all, I was the perfect target to be bullied. Once, I was locked in the school’s small, windowless storeroom for a full day. Only at the end of the school day, the school janitor found me. After that, I was down with fever for a week. From then on, I am scared of tight, windowless spaces. No adult observed me enough to realise that. Frightening thoughts in enclosed spaces were a common memory in my past. I only received therapy till I was much older. I need to focus on positive thoughts and be assured that I’ll be freed soon, then the worst would pass. I am sorry if I have scared you.“

“It takes a lot to shock me, you know.. I am glad.. no, I mean I am glad that you almost got over it. You are brave.” your hand ghosted over my  face. 

“Memories of that day still haunted me. I couldn't forget, escape nor hide from it; which made that the worst monster ever. They are like needles on the chair, poking me whenever I changed position. Screaming and fighting don’t help, and I could do was to endure.”

Your hold on me tightened. “Bad memories are indeed the worst enemy.” Your warm touch, seemed like your army of fluttering butterflies that have invaded the turbulent seas in my mind, reducing the high waves into mild ripples, easing the dread that had long spooked me. 

“I don’t think I have divulged much on the fact or the recurring nightmare that I have… After a loud clicking noise outside, everything was silent. I looked around me. It was all cubic, dark and smooth. I forced myself to breath, to think in the stale air. I threw myself at the locked doors, banged and tried to pry or force them open, crying out in frustration. However, the doors stood firmly and stubbornly in its place. There was not even a tiny window in that room. The creepy darkness enveloped me and clenched me tighter with every passing moment. A metallic smell floated in the room. What was kept here previously? Crazy hallucinations appeared. I screamed repeatedly, but to no avail. TRAPPED, I was... and I had wasted my limited energy shouting unnecessarily. Panic washed through me as I buried my head in my hands, pulling, almost tearing my hair out with hysteria as I gradually fell into the abyss. After quite a while, even I am not sure how long had past, I crumbled and collapsed. “

I sniffed and wiped off my uncontrollable tears, turned to look at you, touched your cheeks gratefully, “Although no one could remove the pain those memories caused, but having you here, gave me much strength, and made everything lighter. You stood firm and assuring for me, which touched me to the core.“

You covered your hand on mine, "My heart shattered hearing your story. Like a sharp blade had sliced through me." I see flickers of tears in your honey eyes, “All have fears. Fear of loss, fear of heights, fear of water, fear of darkenss.. those monsters caged us in invisible cages for ages. Many of times, without anyone knowing and help not sought. Remember that there is this inner good, this inner person in us, who loves the light, breezes, blooms, freedom.. remember all those… Life, life is a challenging road. Instead of intense drama, breath, soothe, let calmness flow and energetised your being. Perception is all. We can help, convince and control ourselves, and lay through the panic. As time proceeds, it will be more manageable as we gained maturity. Fear and strength are at the two ends of the tug-of-war. I can see, that our background has caused bumps and casted some shadows on us. But we'll be each other's support. Do you know.. having you with me, your strength, you soothed me, and let me see more light than I had ever before. You made me stronger, more positive. You gave me your words, as I gave mine to you and in this life they are all we truly have. Love, I’ll be with you. "

"Me too", I sobbed.

We held each other tightly, for the longest time.