That New Venture-1

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And that's how it all started!!!

How much scheming, cajoling and convincing. What desperate plans it should have taken! What a lengthy self-talk analysing the pros and cons of trekking should have happened! 
Strangely enough, nothing of that sort happened. One fine day she came with the question— "Maha, you wanted to join us in trekking, didn't you? Will you join if we can take you along this time?"

I, eyes popped opened my mouth in awe excitement and blurted out— "Why not, Nish? I surely am in!" cheerfully. and asked how they could take me along now at the eleventh hour as everyone's ticket had been booked a month before. Then she said with equal enthu, "One of the women among the 92 people was not coming. Her name was Lakshmi too..." "So I'm going to fake her?!" I completed her sentence which made her smile wider.

And finally she said, "Then pack your bags. Be ready. We are going.. this weekend."  "This weekend? It's already Tuesday now! Will you be able to be all set before that?", pitched in my guardian angel. I gave a sheepish grin and added, "Can't I?" I was pleasantly surprised seeing the newly found self confidence and started building huge castle in my mind. 

Seeing my enthu, none of them could reason with me to let me reconsider my decision. The four to five panel members except for Mrs.T scuttled out of staffroom as the bell went. She is the one with whom I share anything and everything these days.

I asked her if it would be worth a try. She, knowing what I expected from her said, "Of course. It will be!" She then briefed her experiences not as a trekker but as a travel enthusiast. The best thing about her is, she always makes me feel that I'm capable of doing things and it's okay to be clueless at times. And that is why I can't keep my mouth shut, when she is around. No secrets, nothing. 

I told her all the plans I had mentally framed within those fifteen minutes. What to tell mom (of course what to hide), what to buy, what to skip, where to buy, where not to. (Typical minimalist checklist!) She glanced me, eyes dilated. I paused embarrassed at her sarcastic gesture and asked what. She reminded me of those extended personal responsibilities, those I had conveniently forgotten. 

After all these filmy, fancy talks, it was time to take the first and most difficult step— seeking permission from my disciplinarian mom! I expected her to be outdoors yet tried calling her during the afternoon recess. To my nagging surprise she picked the call. "Maa..." I started sheepishly


(To be continued...)

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