The Trip

Chapter 3 - How it happened

'Wait... what are you doing here?' Alex was visibly confused. Inside his head, these words were being repeated in a loop, 'This is a dream... This is a dream... This is a dream'. Nadia had been the one who told everyone that she wouldn't be coming on the trip (her parents wouldn't let her) and now here she was, standing right in front of them, with luggage in each hand and a tourist bag (the tall bag that is seen in almost all tourist pics. What's up with that by the way?) on her shoulder.

'Hm...oh... I am coming too. On this trip.', smiling, Nadia replied.

Seeing that she having slight trouble holding up her luggage, Alex offered to take those from Nadia, who was relieved by the prospect. Alex took them from her and set them down alongside his and Sam's bags. Justin and Gregory's argument hadn't died down and they hadn't paid any attention to anything that happened till then. Alex returned quickly to Nadia who was in midst of explaining how she managed to convince her parents to let her go on this trip.

'And you know, then it...'

'Wait, wait, wait.... Start from the beginning for me.', Alex interrupted.

Nadia sighed, took a deep breath and began once more, 'So...I tried explaining to my father how much I wanted to go on this trip and he did not listen to me. I even said that all of my friends were going and it would be my last chance to spend some time with them like this. Naturally, I became mad at him and eat food or talk to anyone in my family for a day but sadly it didn't work (Standard tactic by a teenager). Over a month, I tried every single idea I had, to try and make my father agree but the result to my dismay remained negative. As a last resort, I pleaded with my grandfather to convince my father and he agreed to do it. The morning of the day before yesterday, when I was at my cousin's home, he talked with my father over breakfast and argued for a couple of hours; at least according to my mother. I don't know what my Grandfather told my father but when I came back, my father came to my room and told me to go on the trip and gave me the money. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get on at the last minute since the trip was just the day after tomorrow and the seats may be filled. My heart filled with fear, I immediately called up Mrs. Page and asked her if I could somehow still join for the trip. She told me she can arrange a seat for me easily and to come to the school today evening at four with the trip fee. I was very excited and was very busy yesterday going to town buying the supplies and packing my bags. Only Ms. Page and Gowri ~ who I informed today morning - knew I was coming... So if that answers all of your questions, can we now please go and sit somewhere? My legs are killing me.'

Even when Nadia's face remained cheerful, Alex saw that her eyes remained tired. So, asked Gowri to find someplace where all of them could sit and to take Nadia with her. As they went in search of a place, he and Sam brought everyone's bags with the help of Justin and Gregory whose pointless bickering had finally ended. They found some place to sit beside the basket-ball court and waited until it was time. After a while, the final headcount took place led by Mary miss and the teacher announced that everyone was present.

Three buses were waiting for students to board them; One for each batch: Science, Commerce & Humanities. The other batches had more students than commerce as science and humanities had 3 classes each while commerce only had once class. But their participation in this matter had been comparatively lower compared to commerce. The buses were parked for them down at the junction and everyone had to walk down the step (stairs) by the side of the school to reach the junction. Exactly 88 steps were its length. Every single person who has climbed up and down those stairs alone, took their time to count those steps because it kept their mind off the tiredness caused by climbing them. Alex held on to his luggage, plus one of Nadia's bags. Normally Alex would've practically flown down steps in no time since he had a lot of experience with those steps but now the overall weight of the bags carried by him was close to 20 kilograms and he didn't want to risk slipping and falling which could possibly become his end. Furthermore, there was heavy rain the day before had made the already mossy and crude steps extra slippery which made Alex take each step extra carefully, with his friends right behind him. Aus was right beside him, walking with his hands-free with only a single backpack. Nadia was walking beside Govind and Gowri, with Gowri talking their ears off. Justin and Gregory were walking in the front, abnormally silent for them.