"Hey bestie! What's up at your place?"
Tanishka's cheerful voice rang from the other end of the phone.
Arvika was busy in the kitchen, wiping down a tray with a cloth. She smiled and replied warmly,
"Just finishing up some chores… what about you?"
Suddenly, Tanishka's voice turned excited.
"Listen! I have an idea! Let's go on a trip to Kolakham! I heard the place is stunning—mountains, mist, waterfalls—like a kingdom of clouds! Come on, it'll be amazing!"
Arvika blinked in surprise.
"Are you out of your mind? You do remember my father is a total Hitler, right?"
Tanishka laughed from the other end.
"Relax! I'll handle your Hitler dad. If needed, I'll get my own dad to talk to him. Stop panicking already!"
After a pause, she asked,
"Just tell me one thing—will you go with me?"
Arvika hesitated for a moment before softly saying,
"Yeah… okay… but—"
"Ugh! Why the but, again?" Tanishka cut her off with a laugh.
Blushing, Arvika asked,
"I mean… will any boys be joining us?"
Tanishka burst out laughing.
"You silly girl! It's just you and me—a girls' trip! How does that sound?"
Arvika's voice turned shy.
"Convince my parents first… then we'll talk."
Just then, the call cut off.
But a wave of laughter and friendship seemed to linger in the air between them.
---
Moments later…
Riton Bose stepped into the house. His very presence carried authority. Even the tone of his voice had a silent command to it.
Arvika froze. She had no idea how to bring up the Kolakham plan to her father.
And then came the inevitable call—
"Mamoni," her father's voice boomed, "whatever you have to say, say it now."
Nervously clutching her fingers, Arvika lowered her eyes and, in a trembling voice, explained her desire to go on the trip with Tanishka.
Riton Bose stared coldly.
"A girl, traveling out alone? You know I don't allow such things."
But this time, Arvika raised her voice a little.
"Please, Dad… it's just the two of us. We'll be back in five days. We're not going to get lost or anything. Promise!"
She turned toward her mother.
"Maa, please… can't you say something? I haven't taken a trip in so long. We planned this together…"
Roma Devi, seeing her daughter's pleading face, looked at her husband and said gently,
"She's grown up now. And she's going with her best friend. Let her go, just this once."
Riton Bose looked away and muttered,
"It's not about trust, Roma. It's just…"
After a long pause, he turned to Arvika and said,
"Fine. Call Tanishka. I want to speak to her first."
Arvika quickly dialed her best friend and handed the phone to her father. Riton Bose spoke with Tanishka, and later with her father as well.
After a long and serious discussion…
The trip was finally approved.
Arvika and Tanishka would be going to Kolakham.
---
(To be continued…)