Chapter 2: The Map and the Promise

Eshan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the ancient map. It was almost too unbelievable—too mysterious to be true. It was an old relic, its paper edges frayed and yellowed with age, and the ink was fading, but something about it felt real. The legend of the Lost City of Happiness seemed to call to him. His mind wandered, considering all the possible consequences: what if it was a hoax? What if it led them nowhere, just like every other dream that had ended in disappointment?

But just as quickly as those doubts rose, another thought followed. What if this was the one chance to escape the darkness of failure, the feeling of being stuck in a life that had just turned dull and grey? He couldn’t ignore that pull to find something more, something to give him hope.

Before he could contemplate any further, there was a knock at the door.

"Eshan, open up! We need to talk!" Radha’s voice echoed from the hallway.

Eshan stood up, folded the map carefully, and tucked it into his drawer. He didn’t want to get too excited just yet. The possibility of disappointment was too high. But Radha and Krishna, his two best friends, had a way of making things feel real—even when they weren’t.

“Coming!” he called out, opening the door.

Radha bounded into the room, her eyes wide with curiosity, a grin plastered on her face. "I knew you'd be up to something. What’s this about a Lost City of Happiness? Is it for real?"

Krishna followed behind her, rolling his eyes. "Oh boy, here we go."

Eshan raised an eyebrow. "You guys are seriously interested in this?"

Radha barely contained her excitement. "Are you kidding? A hidden city that’s supposed to bring happiness? That’s the kind of thing you can’t just ignore! We’ve got to check it out."

Krishna crossed his arms, a skeptical expression on his face. "You know, Radha, not everything that sounds cool is worth chasing. It’s probably just some tourist scam or—"

"But look at this," Eshan cut in, holding up the map. He unrolled it, showing the faded routes and markings. "It’s ancient, and it doesn’t look like something you'd find in a tourist trap. It’s from an old shop my grandmother used to go to. She’s convinced this place is real."

Krishna raised an eyebrow, staring at the map as if it might jump out and bite him. "Your grandmother thinks it's real? Well, in that case, let’s drop everything and go find it. Who needs logic when grandma believes it?"

Radha swatted at Krishna playfully. "Quit being so cynical. You never know. This could be the adventure of a lifetime."

Krishna smirked, leaning against the wall. "Yeah, well, it sounds like the kind of adventure that leads to bugs in your hair, dehydration, and, of course, wild animals. But hey, if you two are up for it, go right ahead."

"Come on, Krishna," Radha urged, clasping her hands together. "Don’t be such a buzzkill. This could be fun! The jungle, a hidden city, maybe treasure, maybe secrets. How often do you get to do something like this?"

Krishna let out an exaggerated sigh. "I’ll tell you how often. Never. Because the Lost City of Happiness doesn’t exist, and we’re going to end up in the middle of nowhere for no reason at all. But sure, let’s waste a few days of our lives. Why not?"

Radha shot him an amused look. "We’re wasting time arguing about it, so we might as well go."

Krishna tapped his foot, clearly torn. "Fine, fine. I’ll come, but I’m not doing the ‘I believe in magic’ thing. No wild chants or dancing around. I’m there strictly for the snacks and water. And if we get eaten by a bear or something, I’m blaming you two."

Eshan couldn’t help but laugh at Krishna’s attitude. His skepticism was so intense it was almost funny. "I promise, no wild chants. We’re just checking it out. But if we actually find something, I’ll let you call it magic. Deal?"

Krishna crossed his arms again and gave Eshan a sidelong glance. "You’re on, but I swear, if I end up lost in the jungle with nothing but mosquitoes for company, I’m coming after you both."

Radha clapped her hands. "It’s settled then. We’re going!"

Eshan felt a sense of relief wash over him. Krishna might have been reluctant, but the pact was made. They were going to search for the Lost City of Happiness. He still wasn’t entirely sure it would lead to anything, but maybe—just maybe—it would be the adventure he needed to clear his head.

“We need to get ready. We don’t know how long the journey will take,” Radha said, grabbing her backpack from the corner of the room. “We’ll need food, water, and some maps. We don’t want to be stranded without supplies.”

Eshan nodded, his excitement building despite his better judgment. "Right. Let’s make a list."

Krishna groaned, throwing his hands up. "Maps, water, supplies. Great. I hope you’ve packed some patience because this is going to be one long, miserable trek."

Radha laughed. "You’re such a drama king, Krishna. It’s an adventure, not a survival challenge!"

“Same thing,” he muttered, rolling his eyes as he began rummaging through his bag for the essentials. "Whatever you say."

Eshan shook his head, amused by his friends’ banter. "Alright, let’s all just meet here tomorrow morning. We’ll take off early so we can get as far as possible before dark."

With that, they made their plans and exchanged quick goodbyes, each of them carrying a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Eshan, however, felt a sense of lightness as he walked to the door. The weight of his NEET failure didn’t seem so heavy now. Maybe this journey would give him the clarity he needed, or at the very least, a break from the stress.

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Author’s Note: Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear what you think. Do you think they’ll find the Lost City? Or is it all just a wild goose chase? Leave a comment and let me know!