DESTINED TO CROSS

Chapter 11: Seashells and Sunshine

Shanaya's POV

Our internal examinations are finally over, and I did better than I expected which felt nice. One headache is now over, but another still remains. With the exams behind us, it means we only have one week left to find the real culprit, which I'm just realising now since we were all too busy preparing for the exams. And now one more distraction has come up 'The Field Trip'. Aurav and I are currently sitting in the principal's office with the other lecturers, discussing and finalizing the destination.

"I think we should take the kids to the museum," one of the lecturers suggested. "We went there last year too, ma'am," Aurav reminded her. "What about the zoo? I think the students will enjoy it," Ashok Sir said.
Every time I look at Ashok Sir, I'm reminded that he is hiding something about the culprit, making it hard for me to engage in a proper conversation with him. "Sir, as a student myself, I don't think we would enjoy going to the zoo," I replied. "Then where do you two suggest we go?" the principal asked, looking at both me and Aurav. "I think it would be really nice if we went to the beach," I said, getting excited. "Beaches are quite far from our college, which means the travel costs would increase. Students are already complaining about how high the fees are for the field trip," the principal replied. "Ma'am, I think if we told the students we were going to the beach, they would be willing to pay more. I really wish we could go to the beach," I requested. "I don't think that's possible, Shanaya. Also, we would have to leave later from there, which would create issues with timing," the principal explained, leaving me disappointed. "How about we visit a factory and see how they make their products?" the principal then suggested."Oh, that sounds nice." "Yes, that's a good idea," the other lecturers agreed. I really don't want to go on this field trip.

Aurav and I were now walking toward our lecture hall. "Are you planning on going?" I asked him. "Yeah, maybe. Why, aren't you?" he replied. "I don't know. If Samaira and Mayra want to go, then I'll have to go too, but I really don’t want to," I said. "Why, because you want to go to the beach?" he asked. "Just imagine how much fun it would be to go to the beach and play in the water with all your friends. I really wanted to experience that in my college life," I replied, picturing the scene in my mind. "You still have one more year. We might be able to go to the beach next year," he said. "Yeah, but I won't be the head girl next year to suggest this to our management," I said, feeling sad. He looked at me for a few seconds."What?" I asked."Nothing," he replied, and we headed inside the lecture hall.
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Mayra's POV

During our lecture, Aurav entered and announced that we would be going on a field trip to the beach in two days for an entire day. Shanaya, sitting beside me, screamed with excitement, and I couldn't help but join in. "I can't believe they agreed to my plan!" She exclaimed. "Wait, it was your idea to go to the beach?" I asked her. "Yes, I suggested it, but they initially turned it down. I have no idea what made them change their minds, but I'm so excited!" she squealed. The three of us laughed together, sharing in the excitement.

............*Two days later*.............

It was the day of the field trip, and we all arrived at college a little early to make sure we wouldn't be late. All the students were beaming with excitement, eagerly anticipating the day ahead. The buses were lined up on the ground, and students started forming lines to board them. Next to our class line was the third-year line, which meant that Imaad and my brother Ayaan were in that group. We were going to be on different buses. As we began loading our luggage into the bus's trunk, I struggled with mine because my dear, silly brother had decided to put some of his stuff in my bag. Just as I was struggling to lift it, Imaad came up behind me, moved me aside, and lifted the bag himself, placing it in the trunk."Hi," he said afterward. "Hi, thank you," I replied, smiling at him. "Your welcome, how are you? " He asked me "I'm fine, how are you? " I then asked him "yeah I'm fine too" He replied smiling and I couldn't help but smile too.