November 6, 2022. The day started like any other, but with a bit more excitement—I was heading to my English tuition class early because our teacher had planned a trip for all of us. My father and I waited outside the center for my best friend, Karishma, to arrive. I was anxious to get going but was equally eager to see her.

A few minutes passed, and a junior girl arrived. She was a little shorter than me, wearing a white T-shirt with a dark jean jacket and jeans to match. She seemed shy, but I struck up a conversation. It helped that my father knew her mother, making the introduction a bit smoother. Just as we were getting to know each other, I spotted Karishma. She wore a light green T-shirt with a "Friend" necklace that I’d gifted her, dark jeans, and a pair of blue Crocs. It was a simple but cute outfit that was so her.

Kirti as I often call her, has been my closest friend since the fifth grade. We have so much in common—we both have older sisters, younger brothers, and share a love for Doraemon, painting, and traveling. We even write letters to each other and exchange diaries every week, capturing all our daily thoughts and memories. In fact, I still have the diary we started back on August 27, 2019, and it’s 2024 now! However, as close as we are, things have changed a bit. Somewhere after eighth grade, we drifted. Maybe it was growing up or just changing interests, but our inseparable bond softened.

“Hey! When did you get here?” Kirti greeted me, with that familiar mischievous smile.

“Way before you!” I teased back.

Soon, our teacher called us into the classroom for attendance. I took a seat in the front row, and as I glanced back, I was surprised to see at least twenty other students—most of them older guys. I’d thought this trip was just for ninth and tenth graders. A momentary surprise, but I brushed it off quickly, too excited for the day to get bogged down by details.

When it was time to board the bus, Kirti and I snagged a spot around the fourth row, left side. I got the window seat, and she sat beside me. We snapped a few pictures and waved to our parents through the glass as they reminded us to call as soon as we reached the park. About fifteen minutes later, the bus finally rumbled to life, and we were off. Kirti and I had planned to listen to our favorite songs on the ride, but the Bluetooth headphones I’d ordered hadn’t arrived in time. We were a bit disappointed, but I decided to capture the moments on video instead.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him—a boy standing near the front, wearing a black shirt with white dots and a pair of headphones around his neck. He was playing music over the bus speakers for everyone to enjoy. I thought it was thoughtful of him, though at that moment, he was just a passing detail in a day I was otherwise wrapped up in.

As the bus sped down the road, we watched trees whiz by, gazed at mountains in the distance, and even spotted an American couple riding in an open jeep. The whole bus was alive with energy; students were dancing and laughing, soaking in every second of freedom.

After a few hours, the bus stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. The place was crowded, so when Kirti and I returned from the restroom, we found a small, empty table off to the side. A few minutes later, the boy from the bus sat down across from us with his friend. Now I noticed his outfit more clearly—a white T-shirt with a blue-painted lower half, black pants, and square glasses. Funny enough, we even had matching shoes, something I’d only find amusing a whole year later when I remembered this day.

Breakfast was simple—roti and dal—and after filling up, we hopped back on the bus for the final stretch to our destination: Orchid Park

We finally reached the park, and as soon as we entered, we went to get our tickets. A few people ahead of us in line were pretending to be students to get a discount, which made me laugh—such a silly thing to do, but we all knew the tricks. After purchasing our tickets, we passed through the gate. Right in front, there was a guy welcoming everyone with a broad smile. He seemed so cheerful, but when he saw us wearing our masks, his curiosity got the best of him.

"Hello, ma'am, welcome to the park! Why are you wearing masks? There’s no pollution inside here, ma'am," he said, looking at us in a slightly confused way.

I smiled at him and responded, "No, no, we’re wearing them because of COVID-19!" We exchanged another smile before we walked past him, feeling like little kids again. Even though we were getting older, we still had that playful energy, and it felt good to be silly once in a while.

As we walked further into the park, we were surrounded by so many vibrant flowers with different names I couldn’t even remember. There were water fountains sparkling in the sun, a boating area where people were enjoying the peaceful water, and even a bamboo house that looked like it belonged in a storybook. Naturally, Kirti and I took turns clicking photos and recording all the special moments, laughing at each shot, and joking around as if we were still in elementary school.

One of the highlights of the day was watching the cultural program. People danced in such beautiful and unique costumes, performing moves that were both graceful and funny. The dances were so different from what we were used to seeing, and we couldn’t help but laugh a little at how charming and unexpected some of the moves were. We recorded bits of the performance to show our parents later, excited to share these new experiences with them.

After the cultural program, we walked around the park and stumbled upon the instrument museum, where we learned about the variety of musical instruments used in Assam. It was fascinating to see how music had evolved over the years. We also explored exhibits that showcased old Assamese traditions—everything from ancient tools to intricate garments. It was like stepping back in time, and I loved seeing how creative and resourceful people were.

As we continued walking, I noticed a girl sitting on the stairs, looking off in the direction of the boy I had spotted earlier—he was the one with his friend, enjoying a boat ride. I couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing, like something out of a movie. Curious, I walked over and sat next to her. Kirti was busy recording a video, so I had the chance to talk to the girl. Her name was Priya, and she was a 9th grader from another school. We talked for a bit about the park, the cultural program, and our shared love for traveling. After a brief chat, I said goodbye to her and moved on, feeling glad to have made a new acquaintance.

Later on, Kirti and I decided to visit the children’s park. We knew we were 15, but there’s something about the swings that brings out the child in you. Unfortunately, a crowd of students had gathered around the swings, eagerly waiting their turn. We decided to leave and find another one. As we were walking around, we spotted the boy from the bus again, this time sitting on a larger swing with his friend. I don’t know why, but there was something strangely comforting about seeing him again.

We decided to join them, even though the swing was a bit bigger than what we were used to. It felt a little silly, but we took turns sitting on it, chatting with them in between swings. Kirti, being more outgoing, talked to them effortlessly, while I kept to myself a little, more reserved. Eventually, we all got to know each other a bit, and it felt good to just enjoy the moment.

After some time, we bought some snacks and made our way back to the bus. My foot was sore from all the running and playing, but I didn’t mind—everything had been so fun that it didn’t matter. As soon as everyone was on board, we headed to our next stop: Shiv Mandir. The temple was beautiful, and we spent a lot of time there, just soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. We played our favorite song, Hum Nashe Mein Toh Nahi, on a portable speaker and danced a little, not caring if anyone was watching. The excitement from the whole day had kept us energized, and my sore foot almost seemed to vanish in the thrill of it all.

By the time we got back on the bus, I could barely believe the day was over. My excitement was still high, and we made a mini vlog of the trip, laughing about how silly we looked dancing and acting like kids. I still watch that video from time to time, remembering everything—how carefree and happy we were, how every moment felt so special.

At the end of the trip, my dad picked me up from the same spot, and we headed home, tired but so happy. It was one of those days that felt like a small adventure, with so many moments I’ll never forget.

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After that day, I couldn't stop thinking about the boy. I didn’t know his name or anything about him, but I hoped to meet him again. I kept looking at the photos I had taken, and it seemed like he was always on my mind—the time we spent at the children's park on the swings and the moments at the Shiv Temple.

On November 8, our school trip was scheduled. Unfortunately, my best friend couldn’t join because she was already going on a tuition trip. My parents were supportive of me going, as it was the end of our 10th-grade year, and after the board exams, we might not get to meet again.

When we arrived at Shivasagar, I had a great time with my friends, especially Jasmine. We took group photos and made unforgettable memories. However, the most frustrating part of the trip was when I sat down on the bus to check my belongings—I realized I had brought my power bank but had forgotten my charger! It wasn’t exactly a surprise since I had been so lost in my thoughts on November 6 that I didn’t even bother to check my essentials while packing.

During the trip, we spent a lot of time with our teachers, exploring ancient Assam, the old kingdoms, and their historical houses. We had so much fun capturing the moments, clicking photos, and snacking on our favorite chips. Later, when we got tired, I sat with Jasmine on a bench, just relaxing. My phone was almost out of battery, so I put it away and looked up at the sky. The soft blue canvas was dotted with clouds slowly drifting by, and I saw an airplane cutting through them, passing one after another.

Watching the plane suddenly brought back memories of the boy I had met on the tuition trip. I reminisced about the time we spent together with my best friend, recalling every little detail.

On the way back home, I got a window seat. Since my phone had no charge, and my friend was busy texting, I had nothing to do but stare outside. It was already dark, around 5:40 PM, and as I looked out, I suddenly noticed a guy standing on the roadside. His face wasn’t clear from my angle, but for a moment, I thought it might be the same boy from the tuition trip.

At the end of our school trip, my friends and I hugged each other, said our goodbyes, and returned home safely.

After that day, I found myself missing the tuition trip even more. I had so much fun there, especially with my best friend. But as time passed, the memories started fading because I got caught up in my daily routine. We stopped talking about those moments and went back to our usual girly chats.

I still went to tuition with my best friend and our other classmates. In the afternoon, right after school, we also had math classes. Sometimes, we took breaks to relax in the beautiful natural surroundings near our tuition center. Those places were so peaceful, and in a way, they reminded me of the moments I cherished the most.

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so Hope you like it, thanks for your valuable time 💗