A Fall in The Pit

“Don’t you dare touch my pen!” Dhruv shouted at his sister.

Tara rolled her eyes, “Please, you leaked five of my pens, and now I have none left! Let me use one for a while! I have to take notes for this class!”

Nishi rolled her eyes, “You guys never stop fighting! Just cooperate with each other!”

“Never!” both the siblings spoke.

“Come on, Nishi, they’re gonna bicker forever. Let’s go, our biology teacher won’t like it if we arrive late.” Madhav sighed and got up.

They both left the two alone.

“I hate you,” Tara muttered.

“I hate you more.”

And with that, both parted to their classes.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

Tara’s P.O.V.

The class was almost over and I was dying to go home. 

“Students, I have an announcement to make.” Our teacher said, diverting everyone.

She continued, “The School trip will be taking place soon!”

THE BEST ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WHOLE YEAR!!

Everyone started cheering.

“This year, we’ll be going to a camp for 3 days, and 2 nights, and will team up with another class!” 

My heart fell. Oh no. I hope we’ll not team up with Dhruv’s class…

“We’ll be teaming up with Class- B this time. Everyone interested please get a signed note from your parents or tell them to contact me please! I’ll email everyone all the details by tonight.”

I groaned. Just as I feared. My brother’s class.

Well… on the bright side… Nishi will also be with me so I can stick with her.

The dismissal bell rang and everyone bid their goodbyes.

I walked to the exit with my shoulders slumped.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

Third-Person P.O.V.

“Hey, come on, don’t be sad, at least I’ll be with you.” Nishi put an arm around Tara’s shoulder.

Tara nodded, “I really want to go but… I don’t want him to be near me either.”

Nishi rolled her eyes, “You can’t always get what you want, right? So be happy with what you have!”

They both walked back to their homes.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

The day before the School Trip

Both Tara and Dhruv had opted for the School Trip. 

They even promised each other to not talk at all.

‘This would’ve been even better if my sister wasn’t coming…’ he thought while stuffing all his clothes in his bag.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

Day of the Trip

“I’m going to die from excitement!!” Madhav exclaimed.

“I would really like it if you do!” Nishi gleamed at him.

Tara chuckled, but immediately stopped when she saw Dhruv boarding the bus.

The siblings sneered at each other. The four sat in silence. 

“Well, this is gonna be a long, long ride,” Madhav whispered to Nishi.

“Agreed.”

• »»————-　♡　————-««

They reach the Camp

• »»————-　♡　————-««

Nishi P.O.V.

It was almost 9AM. We boarded off and stretched our bodies as it had been a long ride indeed.

“Mom gave you the large packet of chips?!” Dhruv pointed out the bag of crisps sticking out of Tara’s bag.

She turned around to zip the bag shut so he couldn’t see, “Yeah, so what?”

“That’s not fair! Share some with me.”

And, here we go again.

Can’t they just get along for once? We came here to enjoy, not to fight!

“We have to do something about them,” Madhav said to me.

I agreed, “Anything we can do to make them realize that they’ll actually be better together?”

He grinned, “I’ve got a plan.”

• »»————-　♡　————-««

Third-Person P.O.V.

“Brilliant! I didn’t know you actually got a brain inside that head of yours!” Nishi exclaimed after she heard Madhav's plan.

Madhav sighed, “Now we wait till evening, eh?”

“Hmm.”

• »»————-　♡　————-««

4PM, The Same Day

“Everyone please gather here.” The teacher spoke through a mic. “We will be having a Treasure Hunt as per our schedule. I will allot you to groups, after that, please take one of these pamphlets and read what your team would have to do.”

Madhav and Nishi crossed their fingers as the teacher assigned the groups.

“Group 5- Tara, Nishi, Dhruv, and Madhav.”

Both of them sighed in relief.

While on the other hand… Dhruv and Tara were horror-struck.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

“Seriously, it’s all YOUR fault!” Dhruv glared at Tara who kept quiet.

She was too upset to even talk.

“Come on guys, let’s go find that treasure and finish this, alright?” Nishi calmed them down.

They walked around the forest area looking for clues.

“Hey! Why don’t we part ways and look? It’ll be easier and will take less time.” Nishi said- just according to the plan.

“Good idea,” Dhruv said.

“I’ll go this way with Madhav and you two go the other way, okay?” She pointed to the plan.

Tara frowned, “Wait wha-”

But they had already left.

The siblings gave each other dirty looks and started walking.

Nishi and Madhav hid behind a tree observing them.

“AAAAH” they both fell in a pit- covered with an old rug.

“NISHI! MADHAV! HELP!” Tara shrieked in panic.

They both went to the place the pit was.

“Hmm, you saying something?” Nishi asked.

“Help us!” Dhruv said in despair.

Madhav pouted “Why? Why don't you both work together?”

“Never!” the siblings shouted in unison. 

“Well then, we’ll be off, you guys have fun!” Nishi waved at them and they both left.

Tara and Dhruv sat down.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

After a while, Dhruv decided to speak up.

“Maybe they’re right. We should… work together and find a way out.” 

Tara thought about it for a while. “You’re right.”

“So… should we start over? As good siblings?” He offered his hand.

Tara shook it. 

They thought about ways to escape together.

• »»————-　♡　————-««

“Are you sure it’ll work?” Tara asked after hearing Dhruv’s plan.

“I’m positive about it.” 

And then, Dhruv took some twigs and joined them together.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea- the twigs are too weak…” Tara quivered.

Dhruv sighed, “What else can we do?”

Tara nodded.

“I need a big stone, can you look for one?” He asked.

His sister handed him one she found.

He attached it to the twig-rope and threw it on the ground above them.

“Come on, you first.” Dhruv offered.

Tara was a bit hesitant, “Are you sure I should go up first?”

“Yup, you’re lighter, so there's less chance of the rope to break.”

Her eyes widened, “But what if it breaks? How will you get up?!”

Dhruv sighed, “Silly, you can just pull me up!”

He threw the stone attached rope above and it landed perfectly.

“Go on, I’ll hold it.”

Tara trembled as she started climbing. She stopped in between.

“Tara don’t stop! Keep going!” Dhruv bellowed.

“But.. I’m scared…”

“I’ll catch you if you fall. You’ll be okay! Trust me!”

Trust. The siblings had never trusted each other until this day. Tara was scared that she’ll fall. But all she had to do was trust her brother.

She took a deep breath and climbed up…… 

And reached the ground!

“Yes!!” Dhruv gleamed. “See? I told you you’ll be okay!” 

She smiled. Her brother had never talked to her in such a good way before. Maybe fighting each other really isn’t a good idea…

She stretched out her hand and Dhruv grabbed it.

“Pull harder!” He shouted and tried to lift himself.

She dragged him and he landed safely too.

They sat on the ground huffing and panting.

Suddenly, they heard some clapping.

They looked back, it was Nishi and Madhav.

“Told you, guys!” Madhav shrugged.

“Now, apologize to each other.” Nishi crossed her arms.

Dhruv and Tara looked at each other in silence.

“I’m sorry.” They said simultaneously.

They all burst out laughing.

“Anyways, what about the treasure?” Tara asked.

“Group 3 got it. It’s nothing special though, just some snacks.” Nishi said.

They sat there disappointed. 

“That treasure doesn’t matter! I got something better!” Madhav spoke, breaking the gloomy atmosphere and making it suspenseful. He took his bag off his shoulders and opened its zip. It overflowed with bags of Crisps, gummies, candies and chocolates. “Thought we would need these.” 

Dhruv grinned widely, “Bro, you’re the best!”

And so, they all enjoyed the treats and had a great day.

• »»————-　The End　-————-««