Magnoliophyta

12. INDIA

After having found our clue in  Bentley mines, we were carrying a wooden plate along with us like a baby needing extra care.

We were clueless about where the plate was actually leading us. It just looked like a flat wooden base with an inscription on it. Anyways, Lil, Jared, Amor and I were stuffed in the back seat of the car with no space at all. How can there be even a little space when four teenagers were stuffed together in a small compact and stuffy place like a car.

 Derek was driving and the seat next to him was occupied by the extremely precious wooden plate, that was supposed to be our next clue. We kept shifting to make our ride as comfortable as possible which is to say zero comfort. Lil's legs were on mine and Amor's shoulder was sticking to mine. Don't even ask where Jared was: sitting like a chicken on Amor. 

We tried to be as adjusting as possible and tried to reduce the constant complaining and bickering. After half an hour into the ride, all four of us were snoring like pigs .

" GET UP! you successful sleepy heads!" Screamed Penny.

We had reached Magnoliophyta and Penny was peering in through the window, smiling. I got out trying reduce the cramping. My friends came out right after me, stretching and bending like there life depended on it.

" I heard you guys found the clue! I never doubted you. Also... welcome to Magnoliophyta Amor" Penny nodded and clapped.

We all retold the events that took place in Bentley mines, putting in a statement or two every second. I narrated the part till Amor rescuing me and Lil continued from there, with the constant additions from Jared and Amor. 

Penny was not very good at hiding her emotions and everytime we said something sad, funny, scary or painful Penny's facial expression changed accordingly. It was quite fascinating to observe her constantly changing expressions. Once done with the story, we all went to the Bistro and had a peaceful and relaxing time eating flakes and drinking divine dark chocolate milkshakes. 

" So, any ideas where this wooden plate could actually be pointing us at! Cause I am clueless!" I said blotting the carefree mood of everyone.

" I am as clueless as you, Jared how about you?" Said Lil.

" I am out of ideas" Jared said shortly. 

" I can make a guess as to where we need to go. But, it is not related to the wooden plate." Said Amor.

" Go on, tell us your best guess." we said in unison.

" I think we should go to Rajasthan in India, to the Thar desert. It is said that the kingdom of Thar is a very important ally of Nero, We should go there and try to win them over and persuade them to stop supporting Nero." suggested Amor.

" Actually....You're right! That's a great Idea. But it would be difficult to persuade them since Thar is a dessert which does not support the growth of plants, that's why they want a war with Magnoliophyta and that is the reason they are supporting Nero. So that they can see us being crushed and all our flowers and plants being crushed along with our beautiful land." Jared ended with a sigh.

" Well, that just makes thing interesting, we just have to work smartly and try to prove ourselves to them. Only then can they switch sides and become our allies." Said lil in her usual confident manner.

" Okay great! We have the plan. Let's start making preparations for our trip to India!" I said in excitement.

"I have always wanted to go to India, which they say is a country of vibrancy, brightness and colour. I have heard so much about there great epics and folklore. There culture is said to be wonderful. There land is said to be sacred. I can't wait to get going!" I continued in wonder.

" If you put it that way, we can't wait to go there either!" replied my friends in synchronization.

We all felt pumped up. We chatted for a while then made our way to 'The store of all odds'. It was named that way because one could literally find anything one was looking for. From springs, to games to travel gear, The store had it all. We went in and decided to meet at the counter after an hour of searching and shopping.

I made my way to the adventure equipment section first, where I was fascinated by the Swiss knives and other types of sharp sedated knives. I decided to buy them in case of any emergencies, not that I was going to kill anyone! I bought a red basic model of Swiss knives and made the attendant inscribe my name on the back of it in calligraphy 'Jade Stone'. I loved it, then I proceeded to the bags and carrier section where I bought a smart backpack with multiple pockets and chains. Then I obviously needed a water bottle, a cap, a jacket and sunglasses just for style. Searching and choosing all of these items took almost one hour and I was back at the counter in time to meet my pals.

We all bought our items and surprisingly Amor came to me and gave me package. " I thought you might need this". I took the package and carefully unwrapped the beautiful printed paper, seeing what was inside made my face light up in joy. Amor had given me a Leotard and this leotard was way prettier than my previous one, which I am sure must still be stinking. It had rhinestones studded in row on the edged and it had beautiful gradient of blue merging into light pink. I loved it.

" I am speechless! this is amazing, but how did you know I am a gymnast?" I asked feeling delighted and puzzled at the same time.

" Let's just call it intuition!" Amor winked and I let the topic go. I figured that Lil might have told him. I smiled and hugged him. Suddenly I realised that Lil and Jared were staring at me and I let go.

" Oh! sorry, it's just that I was so happy and Amor is my friend so I thought hugging was allowed" Red colour flew into my cheeks and my head felt light.

Then Amor burst out laughing and the others joined in. My cheeks became redder. " Oh, it was a joke, you were acting. I knew it, I just went along with it to please you!" I tried to make it sound genuine but I don't think that I was very successful. I joined in and starting laughing. 

I had lived with a feeling of loneliness since I could remember but I suddenly felt complete and happy with a group of people who cared about me, laughed with me and whom I could call 'friends'. A term I wasn't very familiar with before. School was just a place where I used to do gymnastics and study. It never felt like a place where I could make friends and forge new bonds but here in Magnoliophyta I felt it in my bones and in my heart that this was the place where I could be part of a team that included many people rather than being a part of a team that included only one member: me.  Also, having only me as a member I doubt that I could even call it a team!

Everyone had bought what they thought that they would be needing from the store and now we were all ready to go to India!