Genre: Romance
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Shalz R.
Chapter 15 : Part One : Five Glorious Days
About two hours later they reached the campsite. There were a few other camping groups. Tyler had to be careful to park the minibus in a place where they would be hidden from view. Ian was the first one out and Adrian and Tyler helped him get all the bags out of the back. Evan was the most enthusiastic one and was the first one to get his bag on, followed by others. Ian put the bag on Sonya while Tyler and Adrian helped the girls. It was nearing eleven thirty, by the time they finally got their bags out and loaded their backs with the camp gear and started out.
In they walked, Ian first with Evan at his heels, then Tyler with the girls around him, and Adrian last with his careful survey of the sparse woods.
As they went ahead, the woods became denser and quieter. The trees were thicker and sunlight came in patches from between the leafy roof. Evan walked closer to his uncle and Tyler took this opportunity to hold his beloved protectively, and Adrian, Ashley and Sonya smiled knowingly. The only sounds they heard were of their own talking, singing, and laughing or an occasional bird.
Ian was talking all along, explaining things to Evan. and Sonya did her best to keep in step with him because she wanted to listen to what he said. However, the chatter going on behind her was constantly keeping her amused, as she turned again and again to laugh at something Tyler commented on. He kept on imitating Ian and tried to foretell what Ian was going to say next.
After two hours of trekking through the jungle they came upon a clear space, which Ian liked, to the immense relief of everybody else. The clearing happened to be near the stream that passed through the woods. None of the other campers were in view, which was good. They could enjoy their camp without any disturbance. Adrian liked the clearing for it gave him a clear view of the surroundings. Before they started putting up the tents, he went around each bush and made sure it was safe.
"So Evan," continued Ian with his lecture,” as we see here that you should preferably pick up a spot that is near the water, but not too near it, we do not want to be washed away, and is quite free from long grass or bushes that may house any nasty surprises. We don't want to wake up with a snake! You needn't look into and behind every bush, like Mr. Adrian is doing right now" he commented icily making everyone laugh, including Adrian!
"Hey, safety is my responsibility. Campers are yours. You have been chatting all along about it; did I say a word? So you too let me do my job!"
Adrian was the only one person who enjoyed the walk; everyone else was too tired. They threw their bags to the ground and started to settle down to catch their breath when Ian commanded,
"Everyone to their feet! The camp hasn't even started guys. Open the camp gear Tyler. Adrian you will come with me to get the ditches dug for the waste. Evan help Tyler to unpack the stuff and do exactly as he says and wait for me before setting it up. Sonya, you and the girls, find a clearing without much vegetation and get ready to set up the kitchen."
Having commanded he picked a shovel and walked on leaving the dismayed group gaping at each other. Adrian chuckled as he picked up a shovel and followed Ian. Ian turned at the noise and saw the distraught faces.
"Hey, what's with the upset faces? You only have to unpack. I’m doing the hardest work, digging ditches!"
The adamant look turned sheepish for a while but as they looked at the number of bags the sheepish took a dive and the adamant returned.
"Ok! If that's what you want, I’d be happy to switch my job with anyone of you!" the group looked shocked.
"Yeah. C'mon! Go ahead in my place" he offered the shovel, at once triggering them into action.
"I think that the best place for the stove" Sonya pointed a rocky patch out to the girls, who hurriedly yessed her and started to gather the food packets there.
"Ok Evan! Lets start with this bag. Its the smallest." Tyler said.
Ian smiled and turned to face Adrian. He walked towards him and said quietly, "So, I’m a good leader, aren't I!'
"We have to dig ditches for gathering waste, o great leader!" Adrian bowed low to him and they broke into the laughter and got to work.
"Ok. this takes care of the waste we can dispose off in bags and the one that can be buried." panted Ian, after having done a shallow ditch, "what about the other waste?"
"What about it?" Adiran panted; he too was out of breath.
"We have girls also this time! We can't both go to the same place! I say, girls go right and rest go left!"
"Yeah! Fine!"
When they returned the group had unpacked all the camp stuff and the girls had finished setting up the food packets.
"Ok guys! Good work now let's set up the camp! Sonya, its way past lunch hour! What are you going to feed us?"
"Right now we have some canned food we can use. There’s no time to cook. We can use the ready-made food for now. And at night I will cook!"
"Ok. Then I need not set up the stove for you right away. I’ll get busy with the camps. Fine Evan ready to set up your camp?"
"Yeah!"
"Ok. Go to that end and start unfolding it!"
He kept on giving instructions and soon everyone had joined in and placed the camps.
Sonya meanwhile got the lunch out for everybody and as soon as they finished the camps, everyone wanted lunch.
Sonya served food and everyone being hungry, grabbed their packs. Ian finally sat down too and got his mobile out and dialed home.
"Yes Carlton, its me. Get mom on phone, please.... hello mom! Yeah reached here about four hours back. Just starting to settle in. yeah everything's fine. Having lunch now. What are u guys doing? .... Ok. Where's sera? ... No don't wake her up. I’ll call again in the evening. Bye."
Everyone finished the lunch and were now wishing to rest for a while, when Ian stood up again and everyone else looked worried. "We have to go get fire wood and then set up the stove. Evan, you and Tyler will come with me. Adrian stay with the girls and help them get the stuff in their tents."
He walked back an hour later with loads of wood. Tyler also carried a big load and Evan carried a small one. Ian sat up with Sonya on the rocky patch she had selected and started to get the stove ready. With instructions to Sonya, he soon set up her division of work area.
It was evening and everyone was totally fatigued. They washed at the stream and came back fresh. Sonya cooked and Tyler helped her with it. Ian sat with Evan and Lauren again got the guitar and a campfire was made. Soon the dinner was being enjoyed with compliments flowing towards Sonya.
Ian called home again to keep his promise with Sera. "Hello, Carlton. See if you can get Sera. Hello, darling. No, honey I called up before but you were sleeping so Unca didn't wake you up. Unca didn't forget to call. How are you? ok. Did you play? ok. Now get your dad. Hello Kevin. How are you? Fine. Did she cry again? Good. Is everything else ok? Fine. I'll hang up now. Give it to her so I can say bye. Hello again darling. Unca will now go to sleep. You also eat and go to sleep. Unca will call you tomorrow. Promise. Bye."
At ten in the night, Ian finally commanded everyone to go into their sleeping bags or camps, whatever they preferred. It was a lovely summer night and everybody opted to sleep in his or her bags. Adrian and Ashley got their bags together and so did Tyler and Lauren. Ian pulled Evan’s sleeping bag next to him and Sonya took the place next to Evan.
The night fell and everyone, tired of the day slept as soon as they hit the pillow, everyone except Sonya. She could not sleep. It had been an amazing day. While for others he was back to normal, for Sonya, Ian seemed totally changed. From the time she had first met him, she had seen an almost different Ian each time. She looked at Ian sleeping in the moonlight and could not help but smile. He looked like a baby himself, sleeping next to Evan. They were facing each other and Ian's arm lay on Evan protectively.
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