"Swinging Through the Day"

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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