"Here!" Ms. Avry tossed me the small silver digital camera. "Aefia is in charge of photography, Nada is in charge of the setting and poses as she has chosen herself, Diego can settle the food items and Helio will be handling the cutleries, Anasiy is going to manage all other things. Now, I guess we are all set?"
***
I know it all sounds weird, but to start from the beginning is a little bit impossible to explain. You see, I arrived at Nikoan a week before the Aglic new year and today, as you may have already found out, is a new day in a new year. We all were surprised because it was all too sudden for us to understand it and what was more surprising was, we were going on a trip.
As an introvert, I don't know how or why I was slightly happy to hear it but when it comes to going on a long vacation or trip, you would probably see 'Aefia' written on top of the list. But honestly, the trip idea was later found out to be one of Nada's plan and how I was completely agonished by hearing it, because if she chose to go somewhere, it would either be a shopping centre or a shopping mall, you know best if you are a shopaholic.
Although, when I heard we were going on a three hour long trip to a mountain range...it was as an exception from me, well...okay I will be honest, it was the best thing that happened. I mean...mountain range?! That's like my dream place! And to visit one especially in Nikoan, I was totally down for it.
But that all lasted until I heard, "We will all have to use our own money for the things, no one pays extra." Like, what do you mean by it?! If I knew earlier, I would have ran out of the meeting room that instant, but I stayed, knowing it would be worth it.
Luckily, I had gone to the other dimension multiple times in the week and I had saved a huge amount of money, a total of thirty-eight angcles. Helio got a small percentage, but with his amount, he is probably able to buy the food included, so I won't say it was a 'small percentage'. Now I definitely know why Nada chose to fix the setting and poses for the photos, she doesn't have the money to do anything else.
I can't blame Nada for falling into her own trap, trips are meant to be fun, not to post into social media. And did I forget to add that we don't have our phones in this world, but if we did, it was certain Nada would be posting ten times a day. Anyway, what happened next was a whole lot of useless stuff made up by the others, I stayed excluded from those discussions.
As a rich kid, I am not usually afraid of spending huge amounts on doing the shopping and packing. But speak about being broke in another world, my biggest fear. In a short amount of time, we had added more to expenses by bring up decorations and...wait, fashion items??! Hold on, I am not willing to spend that much!
I can't believe she would spend her money just like that! To think she had borrowed another ten angcles from me in just the last week alone! And who knows how much she had that it made her able to just request a speedy delivery, because we leave in five hours and yes, I am not asleep. Something about trips, I get so excited I can't fall asleep at night and when it is time to wake up, no matter how early, I don't need alarms.
The only trip I am and was never a fond of, you would probably already know. Yes! Its this dimensional shift and what extra fighting and I can blabber about the disadvantages on and on! It grants me the power to do multiple things but with it return it gives, back pain, knee pain, elbow pain, wrist restrain, fingers almost falling off, head hitting itself against my own skull and did I forget to mention my burning eye?
Oh, sorry I got out of the topic! When it comes to interpreting a whole week about mysterious happenings, I believe anyone would be out of breathe while explaining each event with details. I have come across multiple people saying 'New year, New me', but the saying seems to alter by a bit when it comes to the life of a person called 'Aefia'. And it goes, 'New year, New me, New Unwanted Happenings.' Okay, maybe it happens to all of us teenagers and adults...
Now for my new years resolutions, I would say...I want to try and get rid of my irritation towards new things in a daily life. Maybe get more sleep and get less hurt, although I know injuries are unavoidable at this point. Fulfill my goals, which is basically going back to Earth. And finally, try getting back on the line with Nada, she is my only friend at the end.
***
The way to the mountain range was a journey by train and can I say? That was the most extraordinary journey ever! The wind seemed to bounce against my face and that was one of the things I really enjoyed. The next thing was the sceneries, we got an overview of the epicentre of all three nations' border and the Saffron Castle of the Duchess of Smod's living.
Upon arriving at the summit of Mount Karaboka (I find the name pretty funny), I withdrew the digital camera that I had to buy with my own money, and snapped a real quick picture. It was a vivid sight, with the sun seeming too low from our viewpoint. We got the chance to faintly see the coastal areas beyond the kingdom of Smod, with its shimmering water and colourful waves crashing into the shore.
Despite the mountain being only up to three thousand meters, the fog was unmistakable and the temperature was way below survival guarantee. I don't know why, but I think its because I am definitely not familiar with this world.
Anyway, we were at the edge of the lowest mountain's summit, so we got to enjoy the view while snacking on absolutely every type of Nikoan food. Most of which, reminded me to Mexican and there was a slight resemblance of French desserts. Of course as a foodaholic, I chose to try all. There were obviously no signs of rice so there wasn't any food resembling asian, which kind of upsets me given that asia is well-known for its food.
After food, we had activities...well, kid style. It was either flower picking or colouring and guess what I chose, even more photography. I mean, what did you expect? I was bored and when it happens, I play video games! So there it was, sitting on the picnic mat, the leftovers which I really wanted to devour but waited for the photos to end. Then, the tragedy happened...all those food were finished before I arrived!!!
Now as a teenager, I had my anger tantrums and I could have dumped it somewhere, but was there supposed to be any sort of violence on a friendly trip? Besides, no one wants to ruin anyone's new year day so why should I be the first person to do it?
At around sunset, we all began packing up to leave for the office. Since I didn't carry much things with me, I simply took a few minutes to capture the true form of the sunset in Nikoan from the summit. A gradient colour blue orange with a bright pinkish orange sun, almost matching with Earth's sunset.
The season in Nikoan is currently winter, with snow expected in another weeks' time. I would really like to witness this world's snow before I permanently leave this place. The winter wind is a very amusing thing and its just enough to cope up with.
We all left the Mountain's border at the last ray of sunlight, and boarded the train back at around eight after having dinner at a nearby restaurant. But here is the thing, guess who paid...me! I had to pay for a six people servings and Nada was the one who pointed me out! So apparently, I got the new name 'The one who pays for all while eating out', and that guaranteed that I will have to pay for the other times too.
Although the journey was fun and all, I should say...I almost twisted my ankle fourteen times and now my ankle is giving me a havoc. I can't ask for a pain reliving plaster because Ms. Avry is like an overprotective mother you see. If she finds out about my ankle, she would cancel any more future trips, and I definitely don't want that, well...no one does.
Anyway, that was my summary for what I had done, heard and saw during my new years trip in a new world. I should say, a new year can't be one unless something out of the ordinary happens and you enjoy a lot from it...and I know that no one would appreciate it unless you spend a little out of your budget for such big things. I agree that this trip didn't need to have a huge amount of cash spent on it, but at least it was worth better and more than a year on Earth.
And if I remember correctly, the day I left Earth, it was the thirteeth of December. I am pretty sure that in three years, three months and thirteen days, it would be New Years Eve for my brother and uncle too. But for now...Happy New Year to everyone in any part of the universe and hope you all have amazing adventures throughout your years!