Toward the Museum

“And I can't believe that you would call me for such a useless idea," smith looked at Max with dismay.

Max chuckled, "Come on, spending a week in the jungle without any help, that's an adventure in itself."

Izzy interrupted Max, "But you were saying just now that it's for one night," she looked suspicious.

"In reality, Chris had only told me about one night, but since I don't trust him on the alcohol issue, I googled it and there it was written for a whole week in Adventure," he said, placing the cup of tea on the table.

Smith glared at him disapprovingly, "You are just pointless."

Max laughed, "Alright, but the only thing you noted, smith, is that Izzy is the only one listening to us, everyone else."

Max gestured towards Lisa and Kathy, both of whom turned towards them laughing.

"Believe me! We're listening," Kathy said.

"And I am listening too," Lisa added.

"Then what's the thought if all of you have already hurt your useless ears?" Max asked.

Smith remained indifferent, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Lisa seemed unconcerned by the conversation.

"Smith" Max called, but he was somewhere else.

Everyone was surprised by smith's response.

Smith!" Lisa shook smith's shoulder.

Smith emerged as if from deep thought and quickly changed the angle of his gaze.

"Yes! “smith spoke quickly, regaining control of his breath.

Everyone remained silent.

Max, trying to lighten the mood, asked, "So what's the thought if we all accept the adventure of this terrifying jungle?"

Max was very enthusiastic.

"Even though you know how dangerous that jungle is, why do you want to endanger everyone's life? “Smith was very concerned.

"This thought is quite romantic," Izzy smiled.

"Romantic," everyone laughed heartily.

"Izzy," Kathy struggled to stifle her laughter, "Izzy, spending a week in the deep jungle, eating wild fruits, encountering wild animals, it truly is very romantic."

Everyone continued to laugh.

"No! Izzy is right, this is romantic," Max said.

"Alright, how is it romantic?" Smith asked quickly.

"It's romantic in a way that we will all spend seven days together, explore the jungle, roam around, camp, eat fresh fruits, and I will tell you all jokes. Just think, how romantic it is," Max explained.

Max had his eyes closed, as if he had already reached that scene.

Smith wanted to give everyone a chance to forget. Lisa had been staring at her cup of tea for who knows how long. Suddenly, everyone felt Lisa's absence, realizing that she had been silent for who knows how long.

"Lisa," Max called out.

"Yes," Lisa replied with a sad smile.

"Don't you like this idea?" Max asked.

Lisa shook her head.

"In fact, my father! He also got lost in a jungle," tears began to appear on her face. She was struggling hard to hold back her tears.

Raindrops started falling on the window, and the cool breeze was tapping on the glass window. Izzy’s two-story white house was beautifully coloured. Inspired by an old English mansion, the house had been designed like a castle.

The raindrops were hitting the small white castle, and if someone looked towards the house in the light of the lantern, they would be lost in its beauty.

Lisa wiped her tears and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, really."

Kathy quickly cut off Lisa's words, "Don't apologize, Lisa. Stay calm. We know your father will come to your mind naturally."

Lisa smiled, with faint traces of wiped tears on her face.

"Okay, then we're cancelling the jungle program," Max said with a sigh, preparing to return to his hostel.

Smith also supported him, "No, actually, I want to go."

"No! I really want to go," Lisa cut in quickly.

Everyone looked at each other in surprise.

"But right now..."

"I want to go, maybe there is hope," she said with hope.

"What impossible thing are you talking about, Lisa!" Smith gently interrupted her.

"It's been so many years, where could he be now," Lisa shook her head and looked down.

It was clear that she was trying to hide her tears.

Everyone felt disheartened for Lisa, and for some reason, smith's heart was touched by her sadness.

"Okay, Lisa," Smith held Lisa's hand. "Don't be sad. We all think... come on, now smile."

Lisa smiled with teary eyes.

~○~ ~○~ ~○~

And then six months passed without any mention of it. Lisa was waiting for them to bring it up, but no one did. Life was going on as usual for everyone.

Lisa had taken a part-time job at a café where she would work a few hours after university, and she felt that her confidence had improved over time. Her academic performance was also doing very well.

Izzy and Kathy had a boutique, where Izzy and Kathy both helped with the work. The jungle campaign seemed to have been forgotten, or it would be more appropriate to say that they had consciously chosen to forget it.

Max was very enthusiastic about it, but while returning in the rainy night, smith said to Max, "Max, do you know who we all are?" Smith said seriously.

Max laughed at his question and then continued laughing. "We are all human, we are only suspicious about you," Max said.

Smith smiled. "No problem, what I mean is, look, you are behind an adventure, or a few pounds."

Max interrupted his words. "Don't insult me by calling it a few pounds, smith"

"Okay, even if it's millions of pounds, but along with being beautiful, it's also dangerous, “smith said.

"How so?" Max asked.

Smith took a deep breath. "It's not our problem, it's Lisa's problem." For some reason, smith had lowered his gaze.

"Lisa's problem?" Max was surprised.

"Yes, Lisa! She comes from a city far away. Her grandfather must be very old, and surely he loves her very much. Then that old grandfather has lost a son, and all his wealth lies with Lisa. In such a situation, we shouldn't endanger her life."

"Hmm," Max was listening seriously.

"We should remove this thought from our minds. Who knows what we might encounter in this jungle," smith said.

And then they all forgot about it, but time had written a terrifying journey for them from which there was no escape.

And then one day, they made the decision to go there, the day they returned after spending two days in Lisa's village.