Ananya's Journey to Shillong

The aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, a familiar comfort. You sat at the dining table with your parents, the usual cheerful lunch overshadowed by the secret you held. How to tell them you were leaving the comfort of Dehradun for a year in faraway Shillong? They wanted you home, safe and sound, recovering from past illnesses. But you had dreams of your own.

Taking a deep breath, you blurted it out, a rush of words tumbling over each other. The shock on their faces was immediate, the conversation postponed until after lunch. Now, sitting on the balcony, the silence was heavy with unspoken concerns. Your father, despite his calm demeanor, voiced his worries about the distance and your health. Your mother's sad eyes mirrored your own guilt.

But then, the unexpected happened. Your father, seeing the conflict in you, gave his permission. A wave of relief washed over you, quickly followed by the realization that the journey was real. With only ten days left in Dehradun, preparations began, leading to the final goodbye at the train station, and the surprising introduction to the handsome Captain Shiv Kapoor – your travel companion, who was far from the "Uncle" you expected.