|NAINA|

It took us about a week to pack all the clothes, books and others travel essentials that were required for a month's stay in Dehradun. We also had to pack a lot of warm clothes as Dehradun was a hill station.

The maximum temperature that place has ever hit was about 30 degrees. I had done full research on that place. The population, the places that we could visit during our free time and the best of all places where we can buy souvenirs.

The best thing about traveling is buying souvenirs! That one item will forever remind you about the beautiful place that you visited.

I was going through my checklist. Everything was packed and we were good to go. But one thing was yet to be added to my luggage, a bag that contained all the books that I had specially ordered to read during this travel period. Call me crazy I can do just fine with just one pair of clothes but books no way. I need them at all costs.

After packing the books bag, which also contained my practice papers for the GRE I fell right on the bed. Today was exhausting. Our flight was booked for the next day at 12:30 pm.

All of our parents were coming to drop us off at the airport. Sure we had been on a lot of school trips but this was something completely different. Those school trips were only for a week and nothing more than that.

None of us except Neena have been away from our parents in a completely different place for more than a week. Neena was the only one making us who went off to stay in a hostel when she started college. Isha and I were lucky enough to get into colleges that were nearby and didn't have to leave our houses.

I was scrolling through Instagram and looking at random pages when Isha called me. Surprise surprise Neena was on the call too.

" Did you guys finish packing??!!? I'm so excited and Naina don't tell me you're going to wear the same clothes throughout the week" Isha screeched into the phone.

" Yes I'm done packing and what do you mean by the same clothes I wear different clothes. Also, who cares about them. No one is going to be looking at me when you guys are there. You know I don't look good in anything else other than the clothes that I wear." I made my point and huffed slightly irritated. I'm not that beautiful. I have boring brown eyes and shoulder-length hair.

Isha is a fashionista and for the past 2 years, she's been hounding me to try out dresses. She thinks I'm overthinking and look good in them thus her continuous insistence. She thinks I'm not fat but curvy which are two different things altogether. Easy for her and Neena to say that cause they look beautiful but me not so much.

" Who put such carp into your brain!!??!? You look fine just the way you are and someday soon you will realize it." Neena exclaimed angrily.

" Also girls I made a list of places that we have to visit once we go there. YAAY I'm so excited" Neena screamed into the phone so loudly that I had to put my phone away so that my ears would not bleed.

" Can you calm down please my ears are about to fall off? Both of you shut up! Don't scream!" I replied irritated by their stupid childish acts, but I love them. Without these 2 crazy girls, I would have never survived.

I thanked God every day for giving me such amazing friends. They were the best I could ask for.

"Okay okay pipe it down. Remember the real reason why we're going there. We are going there to shower love and spread happiness and most important of all to make a difference in those kids' lives. But we will visit when we get the chance" Isha replied.

"Yes, I agree! This is going to be such an amazing trip and also life-changing. "I replied agreeing with Isha.

" Oh let's not forget about cute boys that we'll meet when we are there," Neena added sighing dreamily. I'm sure she'll already making the list of the "qualities" that she wants in the boy that she meets, I rolled my eyes.

" When are you going to stop searching for your perfect man or whatever that is. Get your head out of the clouds. It's hard to find a guy like that!" I exclaimed irritated with her stupid acts.

" You're such a buzz kill Naina. For once I agree with Neena, I'm so looking forward to meeting some hot boys hell better yet an amazing man would solve all my problems." Isha told squealing like a mouse.

"Remember the real purpose people!! We're not going there to find love but to TEACH AND VOLUNTEER!!!" I screamed making my point.

"Okay okay chill out I got you. But you can't deny that you want to date. You've got to go and meet more nice men. I know you had one bad experience but let it go Naina he was an A-grade asshole to insult you like that and not all men are like him. I know it's surprising coming from me who does not have a great track record but I do believe that there's someone out there for the three of us and it's just a matter of time before we find them" Neena told with a soothing voice and Isha agreed with her.

" Okay fine whatever can we talk about something else," I told them irritated, I did not what to think about that embarrassing memory right now. I was in a good mood and didn't want to spoil thinking about that douche.

" As you say!!" both of them replied in a monotonous tone. They knew I would cut the call if this topic continues hence their resentment.

" Okay, people listen up!!! Be at the airport on time Isha and you Naina be there a little less early please." Neena told joking.

"Hey shut up Neena!" Isha and I shouted together. " That's enough everyone! Go to bed now it's almost 11 pm. Have to be energized and ready for tomorrow" I told them and both of them agreed.

We said our goodbyes and goodnights and finally were off to bed.

***

It was already the next day. As usual, I was the only one who reached there on time. I know I know you might be thinking I'm crazy for doing this but no one gets it I just get anxious if things don't go the way I have planned.

Just when I was losing my patience both my best friends with their respective parents arrived.

All the parents were super emotional. After 45 minutes of grueling lectures and a million warnings, only then did they let us go. It was super embarrassing for god sake we were 22 years old and adults. But parents will be parents.

Just when we were about to leave Isha's mom to our embarrassment shouted " Isha have fun but not too much fun! Also, don't forget to use protection." All of us were perplexed for a moment and then I and Neena looked at each other and busted out laughing. I cannot believe she just said that.

I could see Isha's face turning red as all the other travelers who have heard this statement was chuckling and walking away. Just when she was about to burst off.

Neena and I held her hands waved at our crazy parents, dragged our luggage, and moved towards the Checkout counter. There was still half an hour but they were already boarding the passengers.

"What the hell is wrong with her. I'm mortified, my life is over " Isha covered her face with her hands and kept muttering this again and again.
While Neena and I were laughing.

" I cannot believe she said that," Neena said clutching her stomach and still laughing.

"Okay that's enough Neena, stop it and Isha you know how Aunty is she's always the bold one" I replied trying to calm her down.

All of us were wearing jeans and a comfortable T-shirt. I had worn my glasses. I was not in a mood for the lens, they're too much of a hassle.

We boarded our flights and were waiting for take-off. I was completely fine at the Airport but when the flight took off I had this weird gut feeling that something big is going to happen but I couldn't put a finger on it.

I'm usually the one who chatters the most on trips but now I was just sitting there and staring at the clouds. This was a long flight as we had to go all the way from South India to North India. Neena was sitting next to me looked at me with concern.

"Hey cutie what's wrong?" she asked rubbing my arms, she calls me that when she's concerned about me or when I'm super sad and she wants to cheer me up. Isha was already asleep, all the excitement had her exhausted.

"I don't know Neena, I just have this wired feeling that something big is going to happen. I'm just scared, I can't point out if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm hoping it'll be good." I told her turning back to gaze out of the window again.

" I think you're overthinking cutie. It's probably nothing, it'll be fine! You wait and watch. Just go to sleep I'll wake you up in an hour." Neena assured me patting my arms and went back to reading some random magazine.

I just brushed off this weird feeling and decided to take a nap. I put my head against the seat and stopped my brain from reeling trying to sleep.

I just hope it's nothing bad. This is my first adventure and I want it to go smoothly but my mind thinks otherwise.

***********************************

Why do you think Naina feels that way? Any guesses?

Here is a chapter written from Naina's point of view. Hope you enjoyed it.

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