"mom I am 20 now why can't you let me travel"
"mom I am just going for a week that too Sri Lanka"
In front of her mom jenny was helpless, no matter what she can't persuade her mom. But who was jenny. She will not let even one card unfolded. She turned her last trump card and said.
"mom if I bring someone with me then will it be okay"
Sherry finally agreed and said, "who will you take?"
Jenny looked through the room where there were many family members. Her gaze fall on two women. One was her younger Aunt Shine another one was her cousin Zia. If she bring those two she was sure they won't reveal any of her secret to her mother until she don't go the wrong way. Anyways she is not doing something wrong she just want to hide her identity outside the house.
"mom Shine sis and Zia will go with me"
She knew her mother will agree. As Sherry will be okay if any elder is going and she even got her cousin as it will be easier to convince her mother.
"okay but why will they agree"
"mom who will not enjoy a free ride. You guys will go with me, right?" Jenny looked at her aunt and cousin like a child pleasing for a sweet candy.
Before her Aunt reply her mother, interrupted "free ride? Who do you think will give them tickets and accommodation"
"mom don't worry I am here right. Don't you trust me I will not let your sister and niece sleep on the street" with that there was burst of laughter.
No one dared to look at Sherry face. They all know that she will be burning from anger.
"where do you think you will get money"
"mom I have my own money you forgot about my saving. I know we are from middle class family but that doesn't mean your daughter will not have money .... I mean savings"
"look at your confidence. Tell me how much you have"
"mom forgot about that, look my aunt and cousin agreed" jenny looked at her aunt and cousin begging to say something and ignoring her mother's question.
They both said in the same voice "if that's the case we will accompany if my "husband", "mom" agreed"
Jenny turned her head to look at Nick who is Shine's husband. Then she turned and looked at Amy who is Zia's mom.
Looking at Jenny's innocent and pleasing face they agreed to send Zia and Shine. Nick and Amy were always kind hearted to Jenny. Jenny felt like the heaven was on her side today and ran to them saying "thanks a lot. You guys are amazing"
She then turned and said "Zia, shi be ready tomorrow we are flying to Lanka. We need to catch the early morning flight. So, pack your luggage's" Shi is the nick name Jenny gave to shine. And Ziu is the nick name of Zia. Shine and Zia are very close to Jenny. They shared a strong bond.
With that she turned around and left the sitting room and ran towards her small room. Quickly she took the phone and dialed to a number.
The other side was quick and answered with just a few beep
"cancel the business class seat and book three seats from economic class I will send the information details"
The other side replied with one word "okay"
"remember that you should not show up before we land to our real destination until then I will do something. You should control everything in Lanka. Shi and Ziu should not guess anything until I want"
"yes, I got it" with that the phone got disconnected.
The next morning Jenny got up and dressed to go to airport. She called Shi to ensure that she is ready. As for Zia she and Jenny live in the same house. She could go by herself no need to call. They will be going to airport from her uncle nick's car. So, Jenny need not to worry about transportation.
At 6:30 am they reached to the Gan International Airport. They took the direct flight to Lanka from Maldives. After checking they can't go outside so family members did not came to see them off. They just said good bye from the house.
After check in procedure Jenny, Shi and Ziu set on a chair waiting for the call for departure.
Suddenly Shi said, "Jenny why you wanted to travel suddenly?"
Jenny knew that one of them will surely ask that question, so she was prepared.
"Shi you know that traveling is my dream and I was preparing for this before a long time. It was not sudden"
This time question came from Ziu "you will be getting ready for you to travel. So, how did you manage to get the traveling expense for both of us at such a short time"
"Ziu I knew before handed I need to take someone. You all know how my mother is " Jenny knew after that they will not question any further as they did not suspect that Sherry will never send Jenny out of country all alone. Jenny thought in her mind "my aunt and cousin are too naive. They really believed me. I am sorry i can't tell you the truth now"
After a few minutes flight took off from Maldives and the three of them flew to Lanka. The airplane landed safely on the runway. Inside the Sri Lankan Airport Jenny took the lead. She went straight to the exit way. Looking at the way Jenny is going Shi called her.
"Jenny you are going the wrong way"
"How can that be this is the exit. It's even written here" Jenny pointed at the letter "EXIT" written in English.
"looks like Jenny is so happy that she forgot her luggage" Shi rubbed the top of Jenny's head and laughed.
Jenny sighed she did not forgot it she just don't have to take it now. She thought to herself and said. "if I tell you guys a top secret can you guys keep it within yourself"
"sure" they both said at the same time.
"And one more thing please don't scold me"
Jenny started to rub her fingers hard. She waited for a minute and then said. "we can't get the luggage now"
"What, Jenny it's not time for cracking jokes" Shi and Zia both felt that Jenny was joking.
"I am serious. We really can't take our luggage"
"why , why won't they give us our luggage"
Jenny gathered some courage and finally split out the words "because this is not our final destination, we are here for just two hours"
Both Ziu and Shi were shocked because of her answer. They felt like there was electric shock given to them.
" Did I hear wrong?" Shine asked looking at Jenny.
" No this is just a stop we can reach our destination afternoon"
" Are you kidding me Jenny. Where are you going to take us? Why we need so much time to reach there? " Shine was angered by Jenny. "why is your childishness not ending. What we will tell your mother? "
"Shi calm down let Jenny specify herself" Zia acted cooler than Shine.
" ok fine Jenny speak"
Jenny picked words carefully and said. " Actually, I didn't mean to hide. It's just I was afraid mom will not agree. I promise I will tell everything to mom by myself" "by that time will you guys not say it to anyone."
" when?"
" ummm … after the trip"
"what do you mean by after the trip state the exact time, don't play your mind game with us we are not fools"
" How could I think like that can I ask something? "
Before Shen could say anything, Zia agreed. Jenny was surely happy with Zia's support.
" Its like how many things I say right now you guys will not understand. When we reach the final destination, you will know what's going on and I personally will confess everything. After that if you guys think I am wrong I won't stop you, but if I am reasonable than you guys have to support me"
Zia and Shine looked at each other and nodded their head. Now Shine was not angry anymore, so she said "look Jenny I know you have never done anything wrong. You are very matured child. We hope that your reason will be acceptable, and you won't disappoint us"
Jenny smiled and said with a low voice " Don't worry I will never disappoint you guys. I always want to make my family proud not to let their heads down. So, you guys can rest assured".