Marriage is an institution where you absolutely must make at least one cousins’ trip happen before the wedding.
Our trip finally happened for exactly that reason. The eldest in the family — leader of the pack — was getting married months later, and we decided to celebrate with the most adventurous destination possible: a resort outside Indore.
We all gathered in Bhopal. Breakfast for 10 was squeezed onto a table meant for 6, and our 12 phones were spread out for a game where whoever’s phone rang first got a dare.
Bhopal Breakfast Chaos and the Birthday Song Marathon
We finally left for Indore in an Innova with a driver who, poor man, we later felt bad for. Why? Because we sang “Baar Baar Din… Happy Birthday to Sunita” nearly 16 times, recalling every birthday and anniversary from the past year.
By the end, the driver actually had a headache (mummy promise, not lying).
Jacuzzi Physics and Resort Menu Economics
At the resort, our first stop was the swimming pool. The youngest managed to create a boomerang-worthy splash. Then came the unimaginable — all 8 of us, averaging 70 kg each, sat together in one regular-sized jacuzzi. God bless the jacuzzi maker. I think we heard a creak… not sure!
Tired and hungry, we glanced at the resort menu and decided the prices were too steep. We ended up ordering one meagre plate of veggies with four rotis, papad, and our emergency stash of chips and pooris.
Private Theatre, Public Madness
Next, we booked the private mini-theatre to watch Tanu Weds Manu Returns. We didn’t even get through half the movie because we were too busy dancing like crazy with just our gang of 8 in the audience.
Rajwada Food Pilgrimage
Later, we headed to Rajwada — a paradise for foodies. We overate shamelessly on bhutta-kees, jaleba (giant jalebi), dahi bhalla, pani poori, paan, and more. Four of us brought dishes from five different directions, turning it into a chaotic food assembly point.
On the way back, the driver had to buy another medicine for his headache. (Were we really the reason? Hmm.)
Bhopal Bowling and Beginners’ Luck
The next day, we were back in Bhopal. After a quick trip to the mall, we went bowling with one set of parents before boarding the train to Jabalpur.
Guess who won? The debutants — the parents — beating us badly. I call it beginners’ luck (and no, the grapes aren’t sour).
Jabalpur – Chaat, Cruises, and Questionable Car Stunts
Jabalpur holds my heart because — nanihaal! The chaat, the chaupati, Chandan Bhaiya’s stall — all untouched by time.
This time, we fought laziness and went on a cruise, doing our second-favourite activity after eating: dancing.
That day also saw all 8 of us squeeze into one Hyundai i20. Somewhere along the way, someone had the brilliant idea to turn off the headlights and drift around. Half of us screamed for more, the others begged to stop, but our bhaiya wasn’t done showing off.
Till date, Mama doesn’t know about it. (God bless the tyre company.)
The Trip That Couldn’t Happen Again
And just like that, our 4-day trip ended.
So, what’s so special about it? It was the first — and the last — time all 8 of us managed to be together for a trip.
It wasn’t just the big moments. It was beyblades and toys, singing in the car, water fights, fruit fights, smashing fruits onto each other, eating from one huge thaali, Mama feeding us one by one, arguments, hugs, swapping clothes, fighting over clothes, and the bittersweet goodbye that made our eyes water (dust, obviously).
One trip, and we built a lifetime of memories. One trip, and we still smile when we think about it.
(And oh, there’s something in my eyes again. Must be the air.)
~Nikhil (Nik_e_Naadaan)
