Arjun woke up the next morning at ten, only after his mother shouted at him for sleeping so late.
He opened his eyes slowly and lay still for a while, staring at the ceiling before finally getting up. His mind was already working — thinking about the trip, about how to convince everyone.
He went through his routine in silence. Brushed his teeth. Took a bath. Ate his breakfast. He didn't say much, and no one asked him anything either.
The silence was broken by his father.
"About last night," he said.
Arjun looked up at once, listening carefully, not wanting to upset him.
"All I'm saying is," his father continued, "if you're going on a trip with your friends, choose somewhere nearby."
Arjun nodded slightly but didn't speak.
"In 2018, you, Raghav, and Kabir went to Haridwar," his father said. "I want you all to go to a peaceful, sacred place like that again."
Arjun finally spoke.
"Papa, this time we were thinking of going to the beach."
"Oh," his father said. "Goa?"
"No," Arjun replied. "I was thinking about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I saw a deal online — two nights, three days."
His father nodded once.
Then said, "No."
Arjun blinked. "Why?"
"Because the place you're talking about is very far," his father said. "I told you — not too far from home. Remember?"
His mother joined in immediately.
"Yes, your father is right," she said with concern. "I can't let you go to some other country."
Arjun frowned, confused by her words.
His father chuckled softly. "Andaman and Nicobar are not another country," he said. "It's an integral part of India."
"Yes, Maa," Arjun added gently. "I'm not going abroad. I'll be back in five days."
"No," his father said again.
Arjun fell silent.
"I'm getting late for work," his father added, standing up. And with that, he left the room.
Before his father could leave, Arjun called out to him.
"Papa… wait."
His father turned back.
"Papa," Arjun said carefully, "I've already made my plans. I'm not asking you what to do. I'm asking you to allow me."
His father looked at him closely.
"What about your friends?" he asked. "Have their parents allowed them? If yes, then talk to me."
Arjun went quiet for a second. He knew he was the first one to ask. No one else even knew about the plan yet.
"Yes," Arjun said, looking up. "Their parents have allowed them. I'll tell you more when you come back in the evening."
His father studied his face. No parent would easily allow something like this. But he saw no sign of a lie.
He sighed. "Okay."
Arjun stood up quickly. His mother said nothing as Arjun left the house.
After the door closed, Arjun's father turned to his wife.
"What do you think?" he asked. "Is he grown enough now to talk to his father like that? To take responsibility for his own mistakes?"
She hesitated, then slowly spoke.
"I think this is far, yes… but there's no point stopping him," she said. "If his friends are going and their parents are allowing them, then we should allow him too."
"No discussion," Arjun's father said flatly.
Then he picked up his bag and left for work, leaving Arjun's mother alone in the house.
Arjun walked straight to Kabir's house.
"Kabir! Kabir! Kabir!" he shouted from outside the gate.
"I heard you the first time," Kabir said, stepping out. "Stop barking like an old hag in front of my house."
"So what brings you here?" Kabir asked.
Arjun told him everything again — the trip, the plan, the idea.
"And I've decided," Arjun added, "we're going to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All of us."
Kabir frowned. "Is there something wrong with you? Do you even know where that place is?"
"Yes," Arjun said quickly. "And we're all going. Look."
He showed Kabir the post he had saved.
Kabir took the phone and read it. His annoyed expression slowly faded into something more neutral.
"It looks good," Kabir admitted. "But my parents will never allow me. You know that. So what's the point of showing me this?"
Arjun leaned closer and said one word.
"Lie."
Kabir froze. "What?"
"We can lie about where we're going," Arjun said quietly.
Kabir shook his head immediately. "Are you out of your mind? A lie this big would make us unworthy in our parents' eyes."
"Who's going to tell them the truth?" Arjun asked. "Think about it. No one will ever find out."
The idea pressed heavily on Kabir's mind. The island, the freedom, the chance to go somewhere he had never been before.
Finally, he exhaled.
"Yes."
Arjun smiled. "I'm not forcing you. But if you're saying yes…"
Kabir raised a finger. "On one condition. You convince everyone."
Arjun's smile faded into seriousness.
"Yes," he said.
Arjun went straight to Raghav's house.
"Auntie, is Raghav home?" he asked when Raghav's mother opened the door.
"Yes," she replied kindly. "Wait, I'll call him."
A few moments later, Raghav came out.
"Kabir already told me," he said. "You're planning a trip. No need to repeat it. And what's this about lying? Are you seriously planning to lie to your parents?"
Arjun smiled. "Since when do you care about lying? You've been doing it since college. One more won't turn you into a criminal."
Raghav stared at him for a second, then sighed.
"I know you won't take no for an answer," he said. "Fine, I'm coming. But what about the budget?"
"Don't worry about it," Arjun said quickly. "I'll keep it low. I'll convince the others. Just pack your bags."
And with that, Arjun left.
"Aman."
Aman turned around. Arjun was standing behind him, smiling warmly.
"Going home?" Arjun asked.
"Yes," Aman replied. "I was at the market. I bought some vegetables. What about you? What are you doing here?"
Arjun told him everything — the plan, the island, the lie.
Aman stared at him.
"What the hell are you saying?" Aman snapped. "Are you out of your mind? Lying to our parents? Do you really think they'll believe you?"
Arjun looked at him calmly.
"Everyone's ready," he said simply. "I don't need your rejection."
He turned to leave.
"Just do something we won't regret," Aman said quietly from behind.
"If you're not enjoying," Arjun replied without turning back, "then you're already regretting."
And he walked away.
Arjun walked back toward his house, his mind racing.
Okay. Three are in, he thought. As for Saurav and Imran, I can tell them on a call. They're already eager to go somewhere. All I need now is a good budget.
"I'll talk to them in the group chat," he murmured to himself.
As he walked, his eyes caught a marigold tree by the side of the road. A single bright flower stood out against the green leaves.
He paused for a second, looking at it.
That night, Arjun stood near his usual shop, smoking a cigarette.
"Hey, Arjun."
He turned around. Imran was standing behind him.
"Imran," Arjun said with a small smile.
"Raghav told me you're planning a trip," Imran said.
Arjun nodded, exhaling smoke.
"So… can I come with you all?" Imran asked.
Arjun chuckled. "You don't need to ask. You're already in."
Imran raised an eyebrow. "You didn't invite me, so I had to invite myself."
They both laughed.
Arjun offered him the cigarette.
"No," Imran said. "I don't do that."
"Anyway," Imran added, "I'm going to lie to my parents. I know they won't say no to me otherwise."
Arjun didn't look surprised. "Yeah."
"I'll message you in the group chat," Arjun said. "Be online."
"Why the group chat?" Imran asked. "If you want something, I'm right here."
"I want everyone involved," Arjun said, dropping the cigarette and crushing it under his foot. "We need to plan."
Then he waved slightly and walked away.
(10:54 PM — Group Chat)
Raghav: Ew, what the hell. I thought we were going only to beaches.
Neel: What are you gonna do at the beach without B?
Raghav: I'm not listening to any mama boy's advice.
Neel: Suck me.
Imran: +1
Aman: +1
Kabir: +1 to Raghav.
Arjun: What about 30k?
Kabir: Too expensive.
Arjun: Fine, then go to Nainital, you hothead.
Imran: I don't have a problem.
Kabir: Because you're rich.
Imran: Who said that?
Arjun: This is literally the lowest budget I can find.
Imran: Lock it in.
Kabir: The hell you mean "lock it"? I don't have that much money. My parents won't allow it.
Arjun: Who?
Kabir: My parents. Especially my father.
Neel: I'm not stopping you, my child.
Kabir: F*** you.
Neel: Yes, baby!
Aman: I'm leaking this chat one day.
Neel: Leak me instead.
Imran: Please.
Arjun: +1
Arjun: Let's talk seriously. 30k is final.
Imran: Then done.
Kabir: I'll see.
Arjun: You should.
Imran: Raghav? Aman?
Raghav: Yes.
Aman: Let's do this.
Arjun: 18th of September.
Imran: 18th of September.
Arjun turned off his mobile data and went offline.
He placed the phone beside him, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted into sleep.
-END-