"Going on a trip alone-", she was saying but I cut her mid-sentenced and said, "Not alone, Siya would be going too. There would be four of us and fourth is even in the army". I paused and the said again, "Everything will be fine. Pleaseeee mummy and don't worry about my summer assignments. I assure you that I would finish it on time". My mother knew Siya, Ravina and their families. we've been friends since childhood and went to the same school. After some persuasion she eventually agreed. I was very happy and called my friends.
//On the conference call//
"My mother agreed easily, she said fine as long as you stop sulking and complaining about me being too busy to take you on a vacation", Siya said. "Mine agreed too, it just took a bit of persuasion". "We'll first go to Pune by car, it would take an entire day, then we'll stay the night there and then board off in the morning", Ravina said. "I've already started packing", I said in a cheerful tone. "Look out for some space in your car Ravina or else there will only be her bags and suitcases going on a vacation instead of us", Siya taunted and they both starting laughing. "Ha Ha, funny, at least one of us remembers to pack all the necessary things", I said while pouting my lips.
"Says the one who have a habit of forgetting her things everywhere. Seriously, I've never seen someone as forgetful as you", Ravina said. "It's just happened once", I retorted. On our school's 50th anniversary, there was a small function held at the school and I was given the task of hosting on the stage. Ravina also had a performance that day so I was on backstage with her while she was doing her makeup. She asked for my help, so I put my phone down on the desk and helped her and completely forgot about my phone. In the evening when the event was over, I realised that I didn't had my phone for a long time and completely forgot about where had I left it.
I asked the teachers there. Then they started looking for it along with me and Siya. Later, Ravina came out with my phone after changing and gave me a long lecture because of it. Even my teachers were a bit annoyed since everybody was already tired due to the event and I made them even more worried. "You also forgot your umbrella in the cafe, remember", Siya said. That was embarrassing, the Cashier were running after me shouting mam with my umbrella in his hand, all the people around started looking at me as he handed me the umbrella. Realizing that I haven't said anything they changed the topic and started making plans about what we'll gonna do together on vacation. Siya had already made tens of meters long to-do list. "Alright, then we'll drive off on the weekend, make sure to pack all the necessities", Ravina said. we discussed the things that are needed to be pack for some time and then ended the call.
//On the weekend, in the garage of Ravina's Bungalow//
"I guess we agreed that we wouldn't over pack", Ravina said. "Not mine, It's hers", Siya pointed at me. "It's not much, it's just the suitcase that is too big because I didn't have any small one", I replied without looking at them. They weren't looking like they believed me. "If it's only the suitcase that is big then Ravina can spare you a small one, isn't it right Ravina?", Siya said in a mocking way. Ravina also joined her and said "Yes, come with me, I'll lent you a small suitcase". "Why bothering yourself, I am sure the space in the trunk would be enough for everything", I said and then lowered my head a bit and said in a low tone, "If it wouldn't fit in the trunk then I would change it myself". They looked at me and then sighed. 'Yes' I thought as I grinned inwardly.
Brother Aryan came into the garage with his suitcase and said, "Here's mine, put it in the trunk too". "Umm, We were about to ask you to do the same", Ravina said. "Wait, what? what were you doing here for half an hour then?" He asked. They both side glanced me and I just pretended that I didn't saw anything. "Brother, we'll do it, you go and check the other things", I said while lifting his suitcase. 'Too light' I thought. "Well then", he said and left. After putting and arranging everything and using up even the tiniest bit of space left in the trunk, we finally relaxed. "See, Didn't I say that everything would fit inside the trunk?", I said with a smug grin. "The trunk has barely closed and you still have the nerve to say that?", Siya said.
Suddenly we heard brother Aryan's voice, he was talking to someone. But he wasn't sounding like Ravina's father. "When we'll gonna leave?", I asked. "Let me call my brother and then we'll leave", Ravina replied. We all got out of the garage and saw brother Aryan talking with a stranger. 'Seems like he is his friend', I thought. He was 6'2 inches, as tall as brother Aryan. He had a great body, handsome face and his eyes were long and deep with long and thick lashes, which can make anyone mesmerized. "Hey Rishi, It's been a long time", Ravina greeted and hugged him. 'Wait, what did she call him?', and then suddenly I remembered. This stud is turned out to be none other than Ravina's annoying cousin.
He and his parents used to live together with Ravina and her parents in a joint family. When Ravina, Siya and I were young, we often used to play together at each others houses, but every time when we played at Ravina's house, he kept bothering us and used to make fun of us with the kids in neighborhood, specially when we used to play house. Since he was two years older than all of us, we couldn't fight back with him. When he used to snatched away our dolls or other toys and hid it somewhere, we could, at most, complain to our elders. Brother Aryan was four and half years older than us and two years older than him but he didn't wanted to get involved in our kiddish play. I wonder what happened in so many years to turn him into this handsome and charming man. "So, what brought you here today", Ravina asked. "What? already bothered with me", he said jokingly.
'Damn, even his voice is so attractive, but he is still the same', I thought. "A guy, who doesn't even show up when called, is suddenly here blessing us with his presence. I wonder what reason made you show up", she asked in a taunting manner. "Actually, he is joining us on the vacation", brother Aryan replied. 'Wait, what? just all of a sudden?'