Shubharambh

CHAPTER 3

They got inside the car. Adi sat beside the driver while Shanti and Avi settled at the back. Shanti closed her eyes and started to murmur something.

"What are you doing Ma?" Avi asked her

"Praying" she replied

"For?"

"Safe journey"

After twenty minutes, they reached the busy Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. It was crowded. Expensive items, gifts, flowers, perfumes, chocolates were on display. The three of them carried their own suitcase but the extra baggage was lifted by Adi. They ran through the airport in a cinematic way because of Shanti's 'what ifs' and finally boarded the plane. Adi and Avi fought for the window seat but in the end Shanti occupied it. Avi compromised for the corner one whereas Adi was sandwiched between them, it's nothing new to him.

"Dad, be careful" uttered Avi

"Why?"

"Cause mom and I can switch languages but you can't "

"So..."

"Nothing much, just thought of letting you know that maybe the devil gang would be present dad..."

"How sure are you about it Avi?"

"Hmm..." she replied with an evil smirk

"Oh! No, Avi! Just don't think about it. Don't become a witch again!"

"What do you mean by don't dad?! Just because I didn't receive my acceptance letter yet, doesn't mean I'm not a witch!"

"It was not an comment Avi, I'm requesting you to not to do anything bizarre"

"But it did hurt my imaginary ego"

"I can never win any argument against you!"

"Blame it on the genes dad" she said, shrugging  her shoulders.

"Couldn't agree more," he replied, facing his wife who was taking a nap.

They had their complimentary snack which had been given just twenty minutes before the landing. Most airline meals are more expensive, tasteless, than the ones on the ground. In one word it's just like 'air'. Shanti had her fair share of experience so she politely declined the tea. Of course it's really hard to say no to the smiling air hostess, especially if you're a reticent so Adi just drank the disgusting tea. Soon the flight landed in Visakhapatnam International Airport.

"Ma, are you praying?" Asked Avi

"Yes..." she replied her eyes still closed

"We had a safe journey, what are you praying for?"

"I'm thanking god for the safe landing" she replied

"You should first thank the pilot Ma" spoke Avi

Shanti was amazed and simply smiled at her daughter.

They took a taxi to Araku which is a three and half an hour ride.

"If we had booked an early flight we could've been in a train" remarked Adi

"Yes!" Replied Shanti excited about the missed train journey

"How long is it Ma?" Avi asked her

"Probably four hours"

Avi stared at her parents and uttered, "four hours?! You two are crazy! I'm just tired from the hour-long flight and both of you are excited about the train journey!?"

"Well we love travelling" replied Adi

"Me too dad, just not the journey part" said Avi

"Then what do you like about travelling Avi?" Asked Shanti.