Lost and found

by Ojaswini Saraf (India)

I didn't expect to find India

We stood on the wooden deck and gazed out into the blue expanse that surrounded us. The water glistened as the sun shone down on it. As we took in the silence and serenity of the island we realized that we needed to make our way back soon, lest we lose daylight. The seven of us made our way across the boardwalk to the cycle stand. The island of Pulau Ubin, famous for its cycle trails was one of the undiscovered gems that often went unnoticed by tourists. “Follow the trail on the map this time round!” Aanchal yelled at the two girls who had decided to lead the way on their respective bicycles and subsequently shook her head in defeat as she noticed them zoom off without a second look. Aanchal was the oldest in the group, responsible for getting the bunch of fifteen year olds back to the hotel in one piece; it had seemed easy enough when they’d boarded the ferry but the minute they reached the island it had all descended into anarchy. “Ouch” Arushi exclaimed as she stopped her bike. The chain had come off her bike rendering her unable to ride. Aanchal dismounted her bike and helped Arushi mount the chain back upon the sprocket. By the time they were done her hands were covered in grease and the rest of the gang had raced so far ahead that they were nowhere to be seen. Warning bells went off in Aanchal’s head, she had to catch up to them as soon as possible. This particular trail that the rest had raced off towards wasn’t as smooth as the previous road. As they went further Aanchal realized that this gravel path was meant for the more experienced riders. The road was inched up towards a very steep incline, it took all of their might to make their way up to the top and finally as they looked down the slope they saw the trail of destruction- the rest of the girls strewn about the trail like a bunch of rag dolls. She knew the girls weren’t fit to be left unaccompanied and now she was responsible for 5 injured girls. “We are fine!” Vanshika exclaimed as she clutched her bruised elbow and smoothed the covers of her hotel room bed. “Despite the blood and bruises this was the most fun I’ve ever had! In fact, give me my phone, I’m going to put this up on my snapchat story.” Vanshika said as she stretched out her hand for her phone. “Wait I don’t have your phone.” Kashika replied with a pointed look. “Yes but it was in your purse, which was in your bike basket.” Vanshika replied visibly frustrated. “Yes but your phone isn’t here! It must’ve fallen out of my purse when the bike fell!” Kashika shouted visibly panicking. “What?!” Vanshika exclaimed. The bruises could still be dealt with, but a lost phone was a step too far. She was the team captain, they were all supposed to be her responsibility. How would she be able to face the parents? She had to rectify the situation somehow. Two hours later she was back on that familiar trail again, somehow she had managed to find her way back to the spot but there was no phone in sight. As the sun set on that day she had no option but to find her way back, the last ferry was about to leave. Back home the girls were hysterical, although the phone was still ringing there was simply no way that anyone would find in the midst of the forest. It seemed like a lost cause until- they received a call from Vanshika’s number! Upon reaching the island the next morning they found that the phone had been discovered by a local, a person who couldn’t even speak English but had somehow managed to find a translator. He even refused to accept money in exchange. As the children thanked the old man profusely for his help they realized that they had perhaps received an even greater education than they had set out for.