Forever Yours (Stay With Me Sequel)

Chapter 27

It was the week that all the Calcuttans have been waiting for - the week of Durga Puja. Durga who is a Hindu goddess is worshipped during this festival that stretches for five days consecutively. It is the biggest festival of the state let alone city, and people from other states as well as countries visit Calcutta during this time to be a part of the madness.

I've never really been a part of Durga Puja. Not that I didn't want to be because I'm a Christian, but this was the only week of the year when Dad, Mom, Jeny, and I used to go for a family trip. Owing to my parents' crazy work schedule no one really got time to plan for a trip other than this week hence; while the whole city stayed indulged in frenzied celebrations the four of us escaped into some serene destination, enjoying the nature, and bonding with each other.

The last trip that we took as a family was to Vizag, a beautiful city in Andhra Pradesh which is situated in the southern part of India. I'm not a sea-girl, but I did enjoy Vizag to my heart's content. The sky contained an orange tinge always that slowly mingled with the horizon of the sea, into the diminishing waves. I remember sitting by the sea-shore, eating corns with Jeny, staring at the waves and simply sinking in the feeling. The scenic beauty was so incomparable that Jeny, and I could connect without speaking anything.

After I told Niall why I never was a part of Durga Puja, and how I actually spent it instead, he claimed to have fallen more in love with me. Apart from the other stuff he told, I specifically remember him saying "Lily, you own my heart so badly that I can jump off the roof if you say, and not regret." It was disturbing listening to him, talking about hurting himself at my instruction, but I understood that he was overwhelmed. And I loved that because his overwhelm was a source of my inspiration.

So, long story short. Niall decided to take a trip this year too. He obviously wasn't much acquainted with the places thus; I came to his rescue rather ours.

"Ahhmm.....you like hilly areas, right?" he said, moving the cursor over a list of hill stations in India.

"Yes," I smiled, resting my left arm on his shoulder.

"Suggest some then. How about this? Si...kk...im...sikkhiim?" he turned to look at me, hoping it was the right pronunciation.

I laughed throwing my head back, and squeezed his cheeks. "It's Sikkim, and no we can't go there. I have been to the place, and this is not the best time to visit."

"Oh," he looked sad. "Then suggest one."

"Why choose a different state? We've a classic hill station called Darjeeling, and it's a fantastic place."

"Great, Darjheelhing it is," he broke our gaze, and moved his eyes to the screen.

"Baby, DAR-JEE-LING, Darjeeling," I corrected him once again.

"Okay, whatever. You guys have such difficult names that it makes me shit in my pants."

"You're cute, Mr. Horan," I stifle a laugh.

He doesn't pay heed to my compliment, and instead searches for hotels, and train tickets. I help out obviously, and after what seems like an hour later we were all settled for our trip starting from Saturday.

"Still sure about availing by train?" I asked Niall as we walk into the sitting area.

"Dead sure. I wanna experience it at least once," he retorted, taking a seat on the couch, and turning the television on.

I stroll to the kitchen, and open the refrigerator to fetch a water bottle. "It's really one experience I suggest you should escape," I drink some water, regretting soon as it was too cold.

"Suggestion is not accepted, and wanted. Thank you."

I hit him on the head playfully. "Fine!"

Niall laughed, and inquired, "Do you wanna eat dinner outside?"