Chapter : Frustration And Curse. Part-2

  "A field trip to Oregon? Kya, omg I can't wait! I want to sunbathe on their beaches. Hahaha."

This time, Mifa gasped as she felt the hot breath in her ear.

She hunched forward before looking over her seat at the back to see a ghostly figure with three heads – two protruding from the woman's cheeks – and a black, smoky aura around her.

"A field trip to Oregon? Kya, omg I can't wait! I want to sunbathe on their beaches. Hahaha."

Mifa blinked with a dumbfounded look on her face.

Confused and scared, Mifa then focused on the two girls sitting behind her "Hey, could you quit kicking my chair please?" before she sat back down.

The two girls looked up, and then at each other; confused and muttering that they did not do anything.

As the bus started moving, the repetitive voice continued, causing Mifa to shake in her seat.

"A field trip to Oregon? Kya, omg I can't wait! I want to sunbathe on their beaches. Hahaha."

Mifa shook in her seat. 'I can't take a whole trip like this.' She couldn't handle a whole trip with this unsettling presence. Though she tried to remain calm, her anxiety began to take over.

"A field trip to Oregon? Kya, omg I can't wait! I want to sunbathe on their beaches. Hahaha."

[2 hours later]

As the bus pulled up to its destination in Oregon, both Mifa and Shalu were the last ones to disembark. Mifa appeared to be struggling to catch her breath as she leaned on her knees with her hands, while Shalu was beaming with excitement as she took in the sights of the new city.

With a sense of wonder, Shalu exclaimed, "Woooow Oregon is so beautiful!" as she gazed around. However, her eyes quickly shifted back to Mifa as she noticed something was not quite right.

Filled with concern, Shalu approached Mifa and asked, "Right Mifa?" hoping to distract her from the possible distress she sensed.

As Mifa looked up with tears in her eyes, Shalu gasped in shock and exclaimed, "OH MY GOD, MIFA WHAT'S WRONG?!"

Mifa replied in a subdued voice, "Nothing..." as she attempted to compose herself. However, Shalu was not convinced and continued to worry about her friend's well-being…

                                    ☯︎

[4:30 pm] At Oregon

The sprawling expanse of Oregon presented an idyllic aura, characterized by warm weather, stunning natural wonders, and a bustling populace. Amidst the grandeur of this scenic location, visitors were offered an array of attractions, ranging from local markets to popular tourist spots, serene fields, and recreational parks. Unexpectedly, they also visited obscure places like schools, not on their itinerary, presumed to satiate their curiosity.

Mifa and Shalu strolled with great enthusiasm, each embracing the jaw-dropping beauty of their surroundings. Shalu brought along her camera, which she handled with great panache, capturing priceless shots of their adventure. 

With every click of the shutter, Shalu responded with an audible 'ooh' or 'aah', expressing her delight at the exquisite scenes.

Mifa kept a close eye on her friend so she wouldn't bump into anyone while distracted; because she could easily do so. Mifa was surprised she hadn't yet. Mifa hoped that Shalu's photographer excitability wouldn't cause any mishaps as they explored.

After ten snapshots or so, Shalu displayed her efforts to Mifa, showing off her prowess with the art of photography. Shalu could not restrain her elation, "Hey hey Mifu look. Look at the pictures I've already taken. I'm a bonafide GENIUS!!" She declared as she started going through each photo on her camera while showing Mifa.

And every photo had at least one ghostly figure lurking around and Mifa stared at them all with a deadpan look on her face. She wished she had never seen them after all. Despite Mifa's solemn reaction, Shalu's excitement remained unabated.

After she was shown the 10th picture, Shalu stopped walking, eager to have Mifa appreciate her photographic masterpiece, despite her friend's ambivalent nonchalance. Mifa continued ambling forward, lost in her thoughts, contemplating the wondrous sights that still lay ahead.

Upon seeing her friend, Mifa's despondent expression, Shalu grew concerned and pursued her asking, "Hey Mifa, where are you going? Did you not like the pictures?" Mifa replied flatly, "That's not it at all." 

Shalu continued, "Then what is it?" with an air of worry in her voice, as she chased to catch up with her friend.

"Nothing," Mifa muttered; staring straight ahead.

Shalu noticed Mifa's aloofness and probed further, "But Mifa, clearly something is wrong." Mifa grudgingly responded, "It's nothing, Shalu."

Undeterred, Shalu pushed on, "I know!" and suddenly grabbed Mifa's arm, pulling her back towards her. Frustration built up inside of Mifa; she was counting on just walking away from having to fess up her true feelings. 

Shalu's face lit up in a moment of supposed revelation, "You want to be in the pictures too right?"

"I know!" Shalu suddenly wrapped her arm around Mifa's arm and pulled her back "You want to be in the pictures too right?"

Mifa gulped, questioning herself in her head - did she really want to be in the photos?

No, not really.

Mifa's doubts were quickly overridden by a snap judgment, and before she could make up her mind what to do, Shalu had already taken charge, got them both into position in front of an animal statue and readied the camera, "Say cheese!!" Shalu announced with glee.

Mifa only had time to blink before the camera snapped, and the picture was taken.

Too late. 

Sure enough, Shalu was already admiring the photo she had just taken, exclaiming enthusiastically, "Oooh, shiny!"

Mifa reluctantly took a glance at herself in the photo and immediately regretted allowing Shalu to convince her to join in. 

Hidden behind them, on the statue in the background, as it was shown in the photo, there was a ghostly figure with six eyes and six arms wrapped around it, lurking ominously. 

Mifa tried her best to suppress her fear, avoiding any reaction or even looking behind her as she gazed at the photo with a stony expression, "Interesting," she said in a monotonous voice.