Chapter 1: The Plan

It was a bright and sunny morning when Rajesh, brimming with energy as always, suggested, “Why don’t we go for a trip?” Rajesh had been my childhood friend, and his spontaneity never failed to surprise me. He was the kind of guy who could light up any room with his enthusiasm and charm. What’s even more intriguing about him is his physique—he's remarkably fit, despite the fact that, as far as I can remember, he’s never set foot inside a gym. Whenever I asked him how he managed to stay in such great shape, he'd always reply with a grin, “My ancestors did the work for me—both in wealth and health. Now I don’t need to lift a finger.”

And it was true—Rajesh came from a wealthy zamindar family, a legacy of landowners. His family was steeped in money, land, and power, which he inherited without effort. He often joked that while his ancestors had to sweat for the fortune, all he needed to do was enjoy it. And enjoy it, he did. Rajesh never missed a chance to have fun, and this trip idea seemed to be the latest in his string of spontaneous adventures.

Before I could respond to Rajesh’s suggestion, another voice chimed in—this time it was Rai, our mutual friend from high school. Rai, unlike Rajesh, had a different energy altogether. She was a bit of a tomboy, always on the go and never afraid to speak her mind. Rai didn’t grow up with us—she came from North Bengal and had moved to our town during high school. Over the years, the three of us became an inseparable trio, going on countless adventures together.

“This isn’t our first trip, and it probably won’t be our last,” I thought to myself as Rai spoke up. “Let’s go to Kurseong!” she exclaimed with excitement. Before Rajesh or I could even process her suggestion, she was already explaining why it was the perfect destination.

“Kurseong is just 34 kilometers from Siliguri,” she continued, “and it’s connected by both road and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It’s not far from here, and we can get there in no time. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, and New Jalpaiguri is the closest railway station, just 45 kilometers away.” Her voice took on an enthusiastic tone, and I could tell she was already picturing the trip in her mind. Rai had always been good at details—her family traveled a lot, so she always had insider knowledge on the best places to visit.

Rajesh raised an eyebrow. “What’s so special about Kurseong?”

“Well, for starters, it’s not as crowded as Darjeeling, but it has just as much charm,” Rai replied. “The economy there is based mostly on education and tourism, so you can imagine how peaceful it is. Plus, the weather is amazing. We’ll escape the heat, breathe in some fresh mountain air, and relax for a change.”

She had a point. Rajesh and I had been to nearly every corner of India together—beaches, mountains, cities, villages. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, we had explored them all. But Kurseong was one place that had somehow escaped our radar, and Rai seemed convinced it would be worth our while.

Still, I wasn’t entirely sold. “But I don’t have much vacation time left from work,” I said, feeling the weight of my job pressing down on me. “I can only afford a five-day trip.”

“That’s perfect,” Rai replied confidently. “Five days is more than enough. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

Rajesh, who had been unusually quiet for a while, finally spoke up. “Alright, Kurseong it is then! Let’s pack our bags and get out of here. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. What do you say?”

I couldn’t argue with the energy in the room. Rajesh was in his usual carefree mode, and Rai seemed to have every detail figured out. All that was left was for me to agree. I sighed and smiled, knowing I was about to be swept up in yet another adventure. “Okay, I’m in. Let’s do this.”

And with that, we left the coffee house, our minds already shifting to thoughts of the mountains, cool breezes, and winding roads that lay ahead. The excitement was contagious. Over the years, our trips had become a tradition, a way to escape the routine and mundane of daily life. It didn’t matter where we went or how far; what mattered was the thrill of the journey, the unexpected moments, and the joy of being together.

That evening, as I packed my bags, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. We had grown up together, Rajesh, Rai, and I, and through every stage of life, we had remained close. These trips weren’t just vacations—they were a reminder of our bond, of the memories we’d built over the years. Rajesh with his carefree spirit, Rai with her adventurous streak, and me, the one always caught between their whims, reluctant at first but always thankful afterward.

As I threw my clothes into my suitcase, I thought about Kurseong—a place I had never been, yet it was now our next destination. Maybe it would surprise me. After all, our best trips were often to places we hadn’t planned on visiting. This would be no different.

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