Chapter 29

HUDSON

Diana was up bright and early. She was anxious to see the Angkor Wat temple. I was struggling to keep my eyes open as I dressed for the day. Diana was bouncing around, reciting facts about the temple. She had been studying this place for the better part of her life and could probably give the tour herself. But I had arranged for a private tour.

We made our way to the waiting shuttle. We left before the sun had even begun its ascent. I fought the urge to pass out. Diana had her face practically glued to the window. She wasn't about to miss a single detail.

I found myself stealing glances at her. The excitement in her eyes was contagious, and despite my exhaustion, I found myself smiling. It was amazing to see someone with such passion. It was a rare sight in my world.

We arrived at the temple complex just as dawn began to break. As far as the eye could reach, there were intricately carved stone structures rising from a sea of green foliage. Even I had to admit that the sight was impressive. The ancient rocks stood tall against the backdrop of the rising sun.

Our guide led us to a secluded lookout point overlooking one of the expansive ponds of healing water. As we stood there in the quiet predawn hours, the silhouette of Angkor Wat loomed before us. Then, as if on cue, the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the ancient temple. Diana's hand tightened around mine. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the breathtaking beauty unfolding before us.

She gasped in awe, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close as we stood together in silent reverence. This was not a moment for words. Neither of us pulled out our phones to try and capture the beauty of it.

Time seemed to stand still as we basked in the ethereal glow of the rising sun. We were in the moment completely.

"Thank you," Diana whispered.

Then, the serenity of the moment was shattered by the sound of our guide's voice. "Come, there is much to see." Diana gave my hand a final squeeze before releasing it, her eyes still shining.

"Ready?" I asked.

She nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "Let's go."

The sheer scale of the place was mind-blowing. "Look at those spires," I said, keeping my voice down. It felt wrong to speak above a whisper.

"Can you believe these massive structures were built by hand centuries ago?" Diana asked.

The way she asked gave me a glimpse of what she would be like in the classroom. She was absolutely loving this.

We followed the guide through dark corridors illuminated only by the sunbeams filtering through the foliage overhead. The carvings on the walls depicted scenes from ancient life, depicting gods, humans, and creatures from mythology living in harmony. We walked in silence, absorbing the stories told by the stones.

Diana's hand found its way back into mine. I squeezed it gently. Her enthusiasm for the place was infectious, and despite my initial disinterest, I found myself intrigued by the history surrounding us. And just seeing the way she lit up. I could feel her energy. She was completely enthralled with what the guide was saying and what she was seeing. I had a feeling she was going to be able to recite every detail for the rest of her life.

After what seemed like hours navigating through hidden passageways and claustrophobic tunnels, we stepped into a courtyard bathed in soft golden sunlight. A massive tree loomed in the center, a testament to the passage of time. Its roots had grown into and around the ancient stonework, creating an image that was both awe-inspiring and eerie. It was as if nature had staked its claim over the man-made temple, merging history with the present. There was a stillness about the place that gave it an otherworldly quality.

Diana moved toward the tree like she was being pulled to it by an unseen force. Her hand trailed over the rough texture of the roots. The tree seemed to whisper back to her, a secret knowledge shared between them. Suddenly, she looked so small against the backdrop of this towering structure, and I realized how huge this journey was for her. It wasn't just about exploring a historical site. It was about connecting with an ancient civilization, understanding their way of life, their beliefs, their stories. She had studied this place, read the stories and now she was getting to walk in the footsteps of the people she read about.

She placed her hand on the bark of the tree, tracing the weathered patterns worn into it over countless years. Her eyes closed for a brief moment. I could see that she was lost in thought, perhaps imagining what stories this aged giant could tell if given a voice.

Our guide started to explain the history of the tree, but his words faded into the background as I focused on Diana. She seemed to be in a world of her own, completely absorbed by the aura of the ancient temple. And there was something beautiful about her in that moment—her enthusiasm, her curiosity, her reverence for history. This woman deserved this experience. Unlike me who saw an old tree with some crumbling stones, she was experiencing it in a way I imagined only a few people did.

"I can see why this place is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia," I said to the guide, feeling like Diana needed some time alone.

"Yes, indeed," the guide agreed, his eyes also appreciative of Diana's enthrallment. "The temple has a spiritual connection that is, well, difficult to explain. You have to feel it."

As we spoke, Diana had gradually circled the massive tree trunk, her fingers tracing over the designs and crevices in the bark as if trying to read the text on an ancient scroll. The expression on her face was one of profound concentration and serenity.

"That is amazing," Diana said as she rejoined us. "I think I could stay here forever."

I thought it was great, but I was pretty sure this was what hell would feel like. The place was beautiful and amazing, but holy shit, the heat.

As we ventured deeper into the heart of the temple, the oppressive heat and humidity of the Cambodian jungle began to take its toll. Sweat trickled down my brow. I could see the same exhaustion mirrored in Diana's eyes. But despite the physical discomfort, we pressed on, driven by the sheer awe and wonder of our surroundings. I had a feeling she would walk three-hundred miles to see it all.

"Do you need a break?" our guide asked.

"Maybe some water," I answered.

We took a few minutes to drink water and cool down a bit. Not much but a little.

We started our tour once again. Our guide regaled us with tales of the temple's construction and significance, painting a vivid picture of its former glory and the civilizations that once thrived within its walls. I listened intently, hanging on every word, as Diana's passion for history and culture shone through with each new revelation.

As the day wore on, we walked the vast expanse of the temple complex, exploring hidden passageways and hidden chambers tucked away amidst the ancient ruins. Time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in the beauty of Angkor Wat.

By the time the sun began its slow descent, finally giving us a break from the heat, our feet were sore, and our bodies weary, but our hearts were full. I took her hand in mine. "Was it worth the wait?" I asked.

Diana turned toward me, her eyes sparkling. She didn't answer immediately but instead looked back toward the temple, as if trying to absorb every last detail before we had to leave.

Finally, she turned back to me and nodded. "It was more than I ever dreamed it could be," she said. "I think I found a piece of myself here. I can't believe I was going to go my whole life without seeing this. If it wasn't for you, I would have never made it here."

"You might have," I said.

She shook her head. "No, I wouldn't have. I was resigned to my life that was carved out for me. I accepted the fact other people got to travel and see these places."

I nodded, appreciating her gratitude. I had given myself, my money, and my time to others in the past, but never had anyone expressed such genuine gratitude. It was heartwarming. It made me happy to know I could do this for her.

"But you convinced me otherwise," she continued. "You showed me that I could design my own life. That I could actually live my dreams. I am not tethered to my dad and his idea of what my life should be."

This was just as much a journey for me as it was for her. "I'm glad I was able to see this with you," I said when we got into the shuttle. "I don't think another person on this planet could have made me appreciate this as much as you did. Your pure joy is contagious."

She leaned her head against my shoulder. "Part of me wishes I would have taken a bunch of pictures and videos, but another part of me is glad I didn't. I'm glad I got to be fully present in the moment, soaking in every detail with my own eyes instead of through a screen. This experience is etched into my memory forever."

As our shuttle drove away from Angkor Wat, leaving behind the ancient temple, I knew that this journey had only just begun. Diana's newfound sense of freedom and determination sparked a fire within me as well.

"Just think, this was only the first stop on our whirlwind tour," I said.

She smiled and looked up at me. "I'm not sure I can handle the happiness. My cup runneth over. I'm going to burst at the seams."

"Don't do that," I teased. "You'll miss the pyramids."