ETERNAL LOVE

THE TRIP

The honking sound of the motor hit Sanskar's ears as he descended down the stairs with a duffle bag over his shoulder. Suraj who was sitting on the couch reading a daily and looked up at his son and stood up to wish him goodbye.

"Bye dad. And just because I will be gone for a week don't take advantage of it" Sanskar said only to receive a playful blow on his arm.

"Enjoy your trip. And take care" Suraj said hugging him.

"You too dad. Bye." Sanskar walked out to join the troop waiting for him outside.

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A black jeep convertible stood outside his gates with his friends in it.
The four of them had hung out a few days back and had developed quite a good rapport that they were comfortable with each other's company. The trio had instantly welcomed Sanskar into their group.

He walked upto the motor. Ayan was driving and Shanaya sat next to him in the passenger seat. That left him to join Ragini at the backseat. He shoved his bag inside and hopped in sitting opposite to Ragini, who passed him a very warming smile.

"All ready. Here we go" shouted Ayan excited and all the others followed with same enthusiasm.

The jeep took off with a jerk and the sudden force had Ragini yank forward. Sanskar instantly had his hand held out, protecting her from hurting herself. The gesture had their faces so close as their eyes locked with each other. Sanskar felt himself zoning out lost in her brown orbs and Ragini looked equally as dazed as he was.

"Guys, how about we go trekking first" Shanaya said sounding excited, breaking the two out of their fairyland and both avoided looking at each other, embarrassed.

"Or maybe paragliding" Shanaya continued her ranting.

"Shay... We could decide all that once we reach Manali. Now, don't tire your brain fretting over it." Ragini said poking her head and both the boys tried hard suppressing their laugh seeing Shanaya's annoyed face.

"Ragu, you do know how she talks non stop when she is excited. So it's no use asking her to stop" Ayan said and held out his hand over his head towards Ragini sitting right behind him. Ragini hit her palm with Ayan's and all the three burst out laughing.

"Huh. No one loves me. I hate you all" Shanaya turned the other side huffing and pouting in anger.

"But we love you." All the three shouted in her ear. Though the corner of her lips twitched up, Shanaya tried her best on keeping a straight face.
Ayan who noticed this, leaned towards her and gave a quick peck on her cheek and resumed driving. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet as she smacked his shoulder.

"Geez guys, don't forget we are right here." Sanskar chided the two at their PDA.

"Exactly" Ragini added making the two blush harder.

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The journey continued with laughters and teasings. The vehicles passing by theirs looked at them as if they were some alien species, thanks to the madness erupting from their jeep.

They stopped by a dhaba to have their dinner. All the four were sitting around the table waiting for the waiter to give their orders. Sanskar sat next to Ayan and opposite to Ragini, while Shanaya sat next to her.

As the waiter arrived, the men satisfied themselves with light food while the ladies ordered almost everything that they served.
Sanskar's mouth hung open hearing them order and Ayan had to close it keeping a finger under his chin and pushing it up.

"Don't worry bro. You'll get used to it" Ayan patted his shoulder.

Soon the food arrived and the ladies dug in as if they were starving from days. Ayan was having his food fully concentrating in it while Sanskar stared wide eyed.