The Scenic Life

Chapter 5

                         •°•

Have you ever thought about metamorphosis in butterflies?

I'm sure everybody has had an obsession with it at least once in their life, just like the communal obsession about Egypt and pyramids everybody talks about on the internet. But I think I'm more obsessed with the whole process than anyone else. I try to include the process in every character I work on. The growth, the progress, and the final moment of freedom, where it flies for the first time with its wings.

Its so surreal to see that in your characters, or if you're lucky, in your own life.

But, even after birthing so many characters to life, from a larva to a butterfly, I feel incomplete in that sense. I feel that even after going through trials and tribulations of changing to become your one true form, I find myself standing at the end of the cliff, wings ready, unable to fly and be free.

I don't know where to fly. I don't know how to fly. It is depressing, like having the last puzzle piece in your hand, but all you can see is a completed puzzle, and you wonder, where the hell did you go wrong? The truth is, nowhere.

I sigh loudly and change my playlist from sad and beautiful to hip hoppity.

Sad songs bring out the philosopher in me, I don't know why.

After yesterday's talk with vihaan, I recontemplated my luggage and decided that it was best if I googled about the necessities during a trip, and the list told me that I needed a lot more than just pretty clothes, shoes and toothbrush.

That ensued a trip to the local supermarket, and after spending a lot of money over two sunglasses that I definitely didn't need, and also some other stuff, I decided that procrastinating won't lead me anywhere.

So, after a lot of panicking, doubts and mistakes. I succumbed and called Viki to help me out with packing. Which, in hindsight, I should've known would be a bad idea.

This girl went to spain with one suitcase, half of it empty, so that she could bring souvenirs back. No wonder its been 2 hours and we haven't even made a dent in packing.

Viki was going through my wardrobe, saying 'nope' to every item of clothing I had, with the exception of a few, of course. I don't know what she wanted me to wear? It's going to be cold there, of course, I need a warm jacket, I cant wear netted tops everyday!

"Come on, you've gotta pack at least one swimsuit! Please!"

I groan, putting my head in my hands, "It's going to be cold there! You know, I wear two sweaters even in the Mumbai winters, what makes you think I will wear a swimsuit!"

Viki hits her head on the wall next to her repeatedly,

"You've got to be kidding me man! Enjoy the three weeks given to you! Its literally a paid vacation and you're out here complaining about temperatures."

I open my mouth to defend myself, but Viki shushes me,

"Let me do the work now. For your happiness, I will pack more sweaters but I am also adding swimsuits, club dresses and high heels. You've gotta live woman. Do it for me! I'm living my life vicariously through yours!"

I shake my head, knowing that arguing anymore wont be fruitful.

"Okay, fine. Do what you want to, just show me everything that you're packing."

Viki screams a YES on the top of her lungs and hugs me. She literally reminds of my childhood dog, milo, sometimes. In a good way, of course.

I laugh at her antics and sit on my table against the window. The weather is nice tonight, the night is young and shiny. I spot some of my neighbors sneaking in some of their friends in the building, I smile at the sight. Sometimes I think I missed the opportunity to do something scandalous, something out of the ordinary. I am tired of playing it safe everytime, but it sucks when your first reflex is flight over fight.

I am brought out of my reverie when my phone vibrates on the other side of the room. Viki hands it to me and mouths 'mom'.

I don't get why she's so scared of mom, it's hilarious to me that she doesn't even make a sound when I get a call from her.

I take it from her, and give her a smile. My hands hesitate over the accept button, I know I'm just delaying the inevitable. Burrowing away from the overthinking, I just press the button and place the phone near my ear. My breathing is kind off hard, like I've just calmed down after a panic attack, like I'm locked in the pantry of the kitchen, with darkness surrounding me and my heart screaming in claustrophobia.

"Hey, mom."

"Hey honey, I'm sorry I haven't called you in a week, I was busy with some office work."

Yes, of course, she was busy.

She's always busy, she's always been busy. Throughout my childhood, my teenage years, it was always that. She was busy.

"Oh no, its fine. I understand."

"I know you would, sweetheart, so what's up with you? I heard from your dad that you're going to rajasthan for three weeks? Seems fun."

"You talked with dad?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"Uh, yes. At the lawyers office."

"Oh, okay."

After some minutes, talking about here and there, I announce that I have to continue packing and we could talk more later. She agrees. I hang up. My heart is thundering across my chest.

Viki comes from behind me and gives me a hug, I hold her towards me for a minute extra. For the warmth, for support, and also to hide the tears welling up in the corner of my eyes.

°•°

We set up everything in order, the passport in the third pocket of the purse, debit card in the wallet, one duffelbag and a suitcase, packed and closed, along the side of the wall.

Mobile phone charged till 100%, one charger and one portable charger packed in the first case of the duffelbag, and the main hero of the whole trip, the holy camera that I've been given by the studios to capture the locations perfectly. I cannot, in any manner or circumstance, afford to lose it. That is why, it is going to stay in a special bag inside my suitcase.

I sip from the wine glass from my hand, bottle of sprite emptied in it and pick up one more slice of pizza from the box. Last girls night before I directly meet her after a month.

Viki asks, in a serious tone, while chewing on her pizza,

"You nervous about the trip?"

"What do you mean?"

She shifts on her side of the sofa, to face me entirely,

"I mean, isn't it scaring you? To be with him for three whole weeks?"

I chew my pizza nervously,

" I wasn't before...but now that you said this,.."

"Oh no no no, don't be scared! I just meant, nervous as in awkward, I mean aren't you nervous that things would be awkward between you too?" she fumbles,

"Um, not really? We're just going to work together? And be together during work only? It wont be that hard, right?

Viki smiles with a hopeful expression on her face,

"Yeah, don't worry. It'll be wonderful."

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hey guys! How are you doing!

in my drafts ive finished upto 10 chapters, but im not going to update quickly because writing takes a lottt of time

Any questions?

What do you think about the mom?

Next chapter is coming soon! And its really good! Stay tuned!