✍️ Author's Note
This chapter captures the lively chaos and excitement of a large group traveling together. Between teasing, sibling antics, whispered secrets, and shared responsibilities, each character brings a unique energy to the adventure. It's about the bonds of family and friends, the small sparks of connection, and the laughter and love that naturally emerge in these moments.
📖 Blurb
The journey to Rishikesh begins with packing, playful teasing, and sibling antics. From bus rides to photo plans, this chapter celebrates the excitement of travel, the little sparks of romance, and the joyful chaos of families and friends coming together for adventure.
The hotel rooms buzzed with activity as everyone hurriedly packed for Rishikesh. Each family had been assigned a room, and suitcases were strewn across the floors. Aakash sprawled across Rey's bed, dramatically flipping shirts, while Rey folded his clothes with precision.
➤ Rey: "Aakash, stop making a mess. You'll ruin your clothes."➤ Aakash (grinning): "Relax, I work best under chaos."
Aarav (groaning dramatically from the sofa): "Why is everyone making such a mess? I can barely find my socks!"➤ Anika (rolling her eyes): "Aarav, if you looked, you'd see your socks are right there under the pile of your own stuff!"
Ryu's grandmother fussed over neatly packed bags, while Ryu darted between rooms checking everyone. Her uncle peeked from the doorway, counting people off.
➤ Grandmother: "Ryu, beta, hurry up! Stop running around and check quickly. We don't want to miss the bus!"She glanced at Arjun, wagging a finger.➤ Grandmother: "Arjun, you too! Make sure your things are ready, no dawdling!"
Meanwhile, Ryu darted between rooms checking everyone. Her uncle peeked from the doorway, counting people off.
Alright, everyone," Everyone gathered their bags and slowly came downstairs, the air buzzing with excitement for Rishikesh. Laughter and chatter filled the hotel lobby as each family checked their things and made sure nothing was left behind.
Ryu's uncle announced, "the total comes to 14,875 after discount. That's 707.857 per person. Each family can pay according to their members."
Maya's parents exchanged surprised glances.
➤ Maya's Mom: "How is it so cheap?"➤ Ryu's Uncle: "This is my brother's hotel. That's why."
Ryu nearly slipped on the stairs carrying a suitcase, but Rey's hand shot out, steadying her.
Ryu's POV:My heart skipped a beat as his hand gripped mine, steady and sure. "Thanks…" I murmured, feeling a small warmth spread through me. For a moment, I forgot the suitcase, the stairs, even the chatter around us.
Rey's POV:Her grip on the suitcase was firm, but her balance wavered just slightly. I reached out instinctively, holding her hand. She looked up at me, and I couldn't help but notice the faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
➤ Maya: "Careful, Ryu! Looks like you've got a personal lifeguard!"
Maya's POV:I giggled at Ryu's flustered expression and Rey's subtle smirk. They looked so… oddly in sync. It was like I had front-row seats to a scene I didn't want to miss.
Kabir nudged Avyaan.
➤ Kabir: "Watch your step, little brother. Don't let Maya beat you at everything."➤ Avyaan: "Ugh, not helping!"
Kabir's POV:I couldn't resist teasing Avyaan. Seeing him scowl while Maya laughed made me grin. But my eyes kept flicking to Ryu and Rey—they looked… different somehow, softer, closer.
Avyaan's POV:Kabir was impossible. I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore him, but then I saw Ryu and Rey standing there. Why did they have to look so calm while everyone else was stumbling around?
Aryan, Avyaan's brother, laughed at the banter between Kabir and Avyaan while Ishani, their sister, quietly organized her backpack, muttering about how the younger ones were making too much noise.
Siya Di, Ravi's elder sister, adjusted her bag and called out to him.
➤ Siya Di: "Ravi, stop daydreaming. Help with the luggage instead of staring!"
Ravi, pretending to focus on carrying bags, glanced at Ryu and Rey's interaction and felt a pang of jealousy, tightening his grip around a suitcase.
Aarav flopped dramatically on a sofa with a pillow over his face.
➤ Anika: "Get up, you're going to miss the bus!"➤ Aarav (groaning): "Five more minutes… I need energy for the trip."
Ryu peeked in, smiling softly at their sibling antics. "You two will survive the bus ride, I promise," she teased.
The group finally packed everything and boarded the bus, with Kabir's father driving. Sleepy heads leaned against windows, some chatted softly.
Ryu turned to Maya.
➤ Ryu: "Hey, can you create a shared place for all our photos from the trip? Everyone can have the link."
Maya nodded enthusiastically. "Sure! I'll set it up."
Ryu then noticed a photo of Kabir and Maya laughing from earlier. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
➤ Ryu: "Look at this one! Maya, are you blushing because of Kabir?"
Maya's face turned bright red.
Ryu's POV:I giggled quietly at Maya's blush. Glancing at Rey, I saw him smile softly, his attention still calm. I caught Ravi's glances, and the jealousy was subtle but present—poor guy didn't need to know. I leaned back, enjoying the warmth of shared excitement.
Rey's POV:Ryu's playful teasing of Maya made me chuckle inwardly. I couldn't help but feel a small bubble of happiness seeing her interact with everyone so naturally. Sitting beside her, even the chaos felt comfortable.
Maya's POV:Ryu's teasing caught me off guard. I buried my face in my hands, trying not to laugh, and stole glances at Rey to see his reaction. My heart fluttered a little—this trip was already memorable.
Kabir's POV:Watching Avyaan and Aryan teasing each other made me laugh quietly. Ryu teasing Maya was hilarious, and the blush on her face was priceless. I leaned back in my seat, feeling a little protective of everyone around me.
Avyaan's POV:Kabir kept nudging me, and Aryan rolled his eyes at our antics. But the energy on the bus, the laughter, and seeing Ryu and Rey interact—it all made me excited for Rishikesh.
Ravi's POV:I tried to stay casual while watching Ryu tease Maya and Rey smile. My chest tightened a little, jealousy bubbling up despite my attempts to mask it. I focused on helping with luggage, but inside, it hurt a bit.
Aarav & Anika POV:We laughed at each other's antics and tried to fit our backpacks in the overhead compartment. Every little bump on the road made us giggle. Being siblings and traveling together was chaotic, but fun.
Aryan & Ishani POV:Ishani rolled her eyes at the younger ones, but Aryan couldn't stop smirking. "This is going to be a long trip if they keep this up," he whispered, but secretly enjoyed the chaos.
Siya Di POV:I watched Ravi quietly. He tried to hide his jealousy, but I knew him well. Still, I let him experience it—sometimes, feelings are best realized in small doses.
As the bus rolled on, golden sunlight streaming through the windows, sleepy heads leaned against seats, soft murmurs floated around, and small pockets of laughter erupted. Ryu leaned toward Maya.
➤ Ryu: "Don't forget to add everyone's photos to the album. I want us to remember every little moment."
Maya nodded with a grin. "Done. This will be our trip story."
Ryu glanced at Rey and then caught sight of Kabir and Maya laughing together. She smirked mischievously.
➤ Ryu: "Look at this! Maya, are you blushing?"
Maya buried her face in her hands. Rey chuckled quietly beside Ryu, enjoying the small chaos.
Ravi's gaze lingered on Ryu, jealousy barely concealed.
The bus hummed along the road to Rishikesh, carrying laughter, playful secrets, and hearts full of excitement. Each glance, each tease, each shared smile was a small memory being made, the kind that would linger long after the trip ended.