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Once in her room, Tanya went over to her cabinet and took out a glass jar. She beckoned the girls

Then she turned to reveal two huge spiders in the jar.

Allison let out a shrill scream and jumped backwards as Fasina and Tanya stared at her.

"I'm afraid of spiders" she muttered

"Then you are like Taran" Tanya smiled

"Infact, he's worse"

"I don't mind spiders" Fasina shrugged
"There are plenty of insects in Africa"

"Then come with me" Tanya grinned and led the girls to the balcony of her room

About 10 steps away was another balcony. The balcony to Tanya's brother's room.

"How good is your balance?" Tanya asked as she set up a wooden plank between the two balconies

Allison's eyes widened
"You are seriously not thinking of doing that"

Tanya's grin widened to confirm her fears

"I'm as nimble as a cat" Fasina smiled and took hold of the jar. Within seconds she was on the other side.

"Open the window slowly and let them in" Tanya instructed

Fasina did so
"Quick, get back here" Allison hissed

Less than a minute later they were back in the room.

"And the show begins.... now" Tanya cheered

Just then they heard a yelp and a scream, which by the way wasn't very manly.

The volume decreased immediately

"Tanya! HELP" someone yelled

"That ladies, is our cue" Tanya said and the girls marched towards Taran's room.

Taran was standing on his desk as his bed was cluttered with stuff. He looked ready to flee and his face was blanched with terror.

"Get them out" he cried pointing towards the spiders

Tanya went up and took hold of one. Allison and Taran paled.

Holding the spider close to her brother, Tanya teased him
"Don't be such a baby. This is just a teensy weensy spider"

Taran growled and inched backwards. Fasina was already biting her lips to keep in the laughter.

"Take it away" Taran growled

"Oh of course.... but I was really wishing the volume could be decreased.... I am havibg such a headache" Tanya drawled

"Fine" Taran snapped and gastily climbed down as Tanya took away the poor creatures.

Once Tanya had kept the spiders back in the jar, the three gurls burst into laughter.

"That was epic" Fasina said wiping her tears

"He needs some handling at times, that's all" Tanya said smugly
"So where were we? Oh right. Introductions"

After the introductions the girls talked with each other and time flew as they played games and gossiped.

Tanya liked her new friends. But Alliso seemed a little.... hesistant. As if she was troubled by something.
But the two girls were poles apart.
Fasina was brave, physically strong and shy but mentally weak whereas Allison was a coward, bold and a city life girl and was strong emotionally.

Fasina seemed to have little self-confidence due to her racial issues. Anyways, the two of them had come just in time for diwali which was day after tomorrow.

"Do you guys know anything about diwali?" Tanya asked

"Its the festival if lights" Allison said
"And I think its related to Indian mythology" Fasina said slowly

"Let me brief you two " Tanya said
"A long long time ago there was a prince named Ram who is said to be an avtar of Lord Vishnu. He loved his brothers Bharat and Lakshman but was closest with Lakshman. After he was married to Sita he faced a problem. Bharat's mother wanted Bharat to be the king but Ram was elder so she managed to exile Ram for 14 years. Lakshman and Sita accompanied him.

In the jungles they met Srupnakha, the sister of the villian - Ravan. She fell in love with Ram and tried to kill Sita but Lakshman cut off her nose. Enraged, Ravan tried to kill Ram but Ram gathered an army of monkey men and encountered many obstacles. If I talk about them all we'll be here all day.

In short, Ram finally killed Ravan and returned to his kingdom - Ayodhya after 14 years. His father had died in grief so the people of Ayodhya were overjoyed and welcomed him home. They lit diyas and candles to welcome him and then he was crowned king.

So every year, on Diwali people light candles and diyas, burst crackers and make rangolis in celebration"

"Sounds fun" Fasina said

"And I hear it is day after tomorrow" Allison said

"Yes. You all are just in time"

The girls turned to face Mrs Triveni
"See the time girls. You have been talking since so long! Come down for dinner"

"Aate hain" Tanya said
_____________________________

That night the three girls slept in the same room, on mattresess.

"We'll have so much fun together" Tanya whispered

Fasina glowed. This was certainly going to be a new and different experience.

Allison lay on the side, lost in her thoughts. Would this really be a family vacation? Or would it turn out like every time....
Tired, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep
___________________________________

"What is this?" Allison asked, eyeing the yellow food in front of her

"It is poha, dear. A local food" Mrs Triveni smiled

"It's nice" Fasina said wolfing down her breakfast

Reluctantly Allison put the spoon in her mouth.
Not bad....

"Where are mom and dad?" she incquired

"Actually they had some work here so they left early in the morning" Mrs Triveni explained

"What!" Allison dropped her spoon
"But they should have told me"

"Beta, they didn't want to disturb you. Don't worry they will be in time for Diwali"

"And this was supposed to be a family trip" Allison said under her breath

She pushed her chair backwards and got up.

"I'm not hungry. Please don't disturb me" she said loudly and walked out of the room.

"Mom aren't we supposed to go diwali shopping today?" Tanya asked

"Yes children" Fasina's mom answered.
"We'll be going to the supermarket and Taran will take the three of you to the mall"

Tanya's mouth dropped open

"But it doesn't seem like Allison would want to go..." Fasina said

"I'm sure she'll be alright soon" Mrs Triveni assured them
"Besides you cannot just leave her here"

Tanya and Fasina looked at each other. They had doubts that Allison's mood would lighten anytime soon.

For once, Tanya was not looking forward to the trip to mall.

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