That New Venture-2

What my mom said...

"Maa...", I went undaunted. "I had told you about trekking last week, didn't I?" She gave me a hushed "Mmm.." 

I went on... "You told me that I could also join them the next time. Now I've got a chance." I narrated what had happened with at most josh that my mom could not stop me. I even let her understand that it was so serendipitous that I got the chance. She told me nothing— neither YES nor NO rather asked me if it was so urgent for me to call her during school hours— I let out an embarrassed no and hung up. 

Something in me said that she wouldn't hurdle me. So I went on planning. I asked Nish, the whereabouts of the trip— cost, timing, mode of travelling, via, no. of people, payment details, things to carry and everything. Sadly we both had to rush back to classes as bell went ending the recess. "Will text everything in the evening", she shouted in a jiffy as we parted. Even after the school got over, we couldn't meet. 

When I got on the bus, my phone shrieked with a popup from WhatsApp. As I rightly guessed, it was Nish who had WhatsApped the trip details.

Among all, the brochure caught my eyes— A colourful canvas sporting multiple catchy phrases. "Ula to Wayanad!" it was written in an eye-catching font in block letters with the punchline– "An unforgettable experience in God's own country". Below that were enlisted the agenda of the trip ranging from campfire to zipline visit. 

Beyond everything the very idea of "trekking" enervated me. I dreamt myself strolling on the uneven paths of rocks, wearing shoes, socks and a backbag filled to the brim, basking in the muffled sun rays, laughing and chattering. I couldn't wait to show the brochure to my mom and to seek permission. 

"What if she said no?", a tiny doubt sprouted in my sceptical mind but I nipped it. "This time I have to be more resolute", I pep talked. 

When I reached home, my mom was busy talking over phone. She was presumably in a good mood— talking jovially and laughing. It seemed a conducive ambiance for me to show her the brochure and to start convincing her. I stood by the kitchen doorstep prying on her all the while cooling my coffee. She never seemed to cut the call any sooner and that was nagging. Finally after what seemed to be 15mins, she came to me asking the most clichéd question, "So, how was the day?" 

"As if I were to say something new... You are asking me, maa", I snapped impatiently. For which there came no reply but I never minded. "Don't change the topic,maa. I asked about the trip in the afternoon. What about that?" 

"If you are that desperate, you can. But we are answerable to another family now. We need to inform them too. If it's unanimously accepted by everyone, you are free to go!!!", she went on calmly. That seemed a big leap but I tried that too!!!

(To be continued...)