MAYA'S POV:
It was 8 a.m in the morning . My mom's voice shattered the calm morning air, "Get up! You're going to miss your train!" My sleep broke, and I jolted upright, disoriented. I rubbed the haze from my eyes and glanced at my watch. My heart sank - only 20 minutes left before the train departed. "Damn it!" I cursed, knowing my friends would kill me if I missed it. Panic set in. I threw off the covers and sprinted to the bathroom. A quick, frenzied shower later, I was scrambling to get dressed. I yanked on my denim jeans and pulled over a crisp white shirt. I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door, yelling "Rickshaw!" at the top of my lungs.
The rickshaw driver pedaled furiously as we weaved through the morning traffic. I held on tight, my knuckles white with anxiety, praying we'd make it to the station on time.
I burst through the train station entrance, gasping for breath, and scanned the platform frantically. My eyes locked onto the train, still stationary, and I let out a sigh of relief. Thank God, I hadn't missed it!
As I rushed towards my friends, I could sense their eyes on me, their expressions a mix of relief and annoyance. Raghav, Karan, and Advika greeted me with a chorus of mock-scolding, "Late again, MAYA! What would you do without us?" Harshita, my best friend and partner-in-crime, playfully rolled her eyes and whispered, "I'm surprised you made it, Maya."
I grinned, feeling a bit sheepish. "Hey, I'm here, aren't I?" We all laughed, and the tension dissipated.
As we settled into our seats, I took a moment to reflect on our little group. We were all 3rd-year aerospace engineering students at IIT Bombay, and our shared branch had brought us together. But Harshita and I... we were different. Instantly connected, we had bonded over our shared experience as firstborn daughters. She was more than just a friend; she was my confidante, my accomplice, and my sister in every way that mattered.
With the train chugging out of the station, we embarked on our adventure to Udaipur, ready to create memories that would last a lifetime.
As the train rumbled out of Dehradun station, I gazed out the window, watching the lush green hills and quaint townscapes give way to the rugged terrain of the Indian heartland. My friends and I were embarking on a thrilling adventure to Udaipur, a city steeped in history and romance.
Raghav, Karan, and Advika chattered excitedly, poring over maps and guides, planning our itinerary. Harshita and I exchanged a knowing glance, grinning mischievously as we contemplated the escapades that lay ahead.
With the train winding its way through the Aravalli ranges, we settled in for the long journey, ready to soak in the breathtaking views, immerse ourselves in local legends, and create unforgettable memories in the City of Lakes.
As the train rumbled on, the scenic views outside my window couldn't shake off the growing sense of unease within me. It started as a faint, nagging feeling, like a whisper in the back of my mind. My gut was screaming at me, sending shivers down my spine.
I tried to brush it off as mere travel jitters, but the feeling persisted, growing stronger with each passing minute. I glanced around at my friends, laughing and chatting oblivious to my turmoil. Harshita caught my eye, and I forced a smile, not wanting to alarm her.
But the sense of foreboding lingered, refusing to be silenced. It was as if my intuition was warning me of something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. I shook my head, attempting to clear the fog, but the uneasy feeling remained, festering in the pit of my stomach like a bad omen.
Desperate to shake off the uneasy feeling, I slipped on my headphones and cranked up my favorite playlist. The soothing melodies and pounding beats enveloped me, slowly drowning out the nagging sense of foreboding. As the music washed over me, my eyelids grew heavy, and I felt myself drifting off to sleep.
Before I knew it, I was out cold, the music still playing softly in my ears. The next thing I knew, Harshita was gently shaking me awake, her voice soft and concerned. "MAYA, wake up! It's time for dinner."
Groggily, I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. We all headed to the train's dining car, where a hot, satisfying meal awaited us. With our hunger sated, we decided to pass the time with a game of Uno. The hours flew by in a flurry of laughter, shouting, and card-slinging competition.
Four hours later, we were all exhausted, the adrenaline of the game giving way to yawning fatigue. One by one, my friends began to doze off, until finally, I was the only one left awake. With a contented sigh, I snuggled into my seat, letting the gentle rocking of the train lull me into a deep, dreamless sleep.
As the train rumbled on, the morning light streaming through the windows woke us all up. By 9 am, everyone was stirring, stretching, and yawning. We quickly freshened up, ready to tackle the day. Our breakfast arrived, and we dug in, savoring the flavors and textures.
As we ate, Raghav pulled out a map of Udaipur and began outlining our plan for the day. "Alright guys, we've got a packed schedule ahead. I was thinking we could visit the Sahelion-ki-Bari, then head to the Jagdish Temple..." He trailed off, looking around the group. "What do you all think? Any other places you'd like to add to the itinerary?"
I swallowed my breakfast, a sudden idea striking me. "Hey, what about visiting the City Palace in the evening? I've heard the sunset views from there are breathtaking." Harshita, Karan, and Advika all nodded in agreement, and Raghav grinned. "Sounds perfect. City Palace it is, then."
With our plan settled, we continued enjoying our breakfast, chatting and laughing together. Before we knew it, the train was pulling into Udaipur station. We gathered our belongings, excitement building in our chests. Our Udaipur adventure was finally about to begin!
We arrived at our hotel, a cozy little place I'd booked in advance. As promised, it was just a 15-minute walk from the majestic City Palace. We dumped our bags in our respective rooms and scrambled to get freshened up. In a remarkable display of efficiency, everyone was ready in just 45 minutes.
As we gathered in the lobby, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. "Dekho bhai, inki excitement rest hi karne nhi de rhe !" I exclaimed, striking a pose. I'd opted for a stunning white suit, paired with elegant jhumkas and a light dusting of makeup to conceal the remnants of my travel fatigue. Harshita's eyes widened in admiration, and the others chimed in with compliments. Karan, however, seemed a bit off, his expression unreadable. I brushed it off, not wanting to let it dampen my mood.
Together, we strolled to the City Palace, the sun beginning to set behind us. We purchased our tickets and stepped inside, our eyes widening in awe. The palace's grandeur was breathtaking, with intricate architecture and stunning views of Lake Pichola. We spent the next hour taking photos, laughing, and soaking in the beauty around us.
But just as we were getting into the groove, something unexpected happened...
____________________________________________________________
I hope you like this chapter😊
Please do like and comment and for more further updates follow me on Instagram (middleofsomewhere82)
Signing off
Byee
Write a comment ...