1 An internship

Diana Ruth is an archeology student from La Trobe University, Melbourne. She hailed from India and settled in Australia with her parents long back.

Her mother is from India, working in an Australian government bank as a manager, whereas her Father, Stephen Ruth, is an Australian and owns an interior design company.

In this 20th century, when most of the students were interested in picking computers, music, games, etc., as their major, she chose the infamous Archeology department.

Her parents tried to change her mind but failed, and now they don't want to send her for an Alexandria internship far away from them. After all, she is the only child of theirs.

Preethi, Diana's mother, arranging the dining table, gave frequent glances at Diana's bedroom and signaled to her husband, Mr. Stephen Ruth.

"What happened, Preethi..? Why are you glancing at Diana's bedroom for every 5seconds..?," Stephen innocently looked at her.

Face-palming herself, Preethi shook her head and kept her mouth shut. Diana packing her luggage, came out of the room, speaking on the phone.

"Hey! Guys speak one after another, or else I will be confused. Of course, we will spend our time there in the desert, duh," Diana spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

The other side replied, "Yes! Yes, after all, we are going to study mummies. We are so excited."

She laughed, saying, "say the same thing when you witness mummies and the hot desert."

"Wow! Don't speak as if you are a brave girl and ready to face everything," one of her friends replied.

Looking at her mother's concerned face, Diana cleared her throat and said, "okay, guys! let's meet at the airport along with our Professor."

Preethi started, "Diana, my dear daughter! Is it important for you to go to that dangerous place for an internship? You know I am so worried about you going away from us."

Mr. Stephen immediately stated, "how come my daughter is scared of hardships..? She is not a docile type. Right, dear..?"

"Of course, pops, if not, how will I be an archeologist, duh," she stated proudly in a matter-of-fact tone.

Preethi shook her head and dropped a plate on the dining table with a thud sound, and said, "fine then, why should I be a villain when your father already agreed to your trip..?"

Diana helplessly looked at her father and said with a pleading tone, "Mommy, why are you so agitated about everything..? Don't you want your daughter to achieve her dreams and stand on her feet in this world."

Preethi softened a bit, "of course, I want you to be more successful than anyone else, darling, but why are you insisting on going on this trip..?

Don't you know that digging mummies is an inauspicious thing according to Egyptian culture? And you are going there to study them."

Diana said, "mommy, we are almost in the 21st century now. Don't believe auspicious/inauspicious things, okay..? Even though if some people believe archeology and astrology are two different things. There's no need to worry, you know..? Please don't make things difficult for me, this is a compulsory internship for me, and I have to attend at any cost."

Stephen chimed in, saying, "yes, let her go, Preethi. We shouldn't restrict, after all, how many women are interested in this type of department and ready to dare."

Preethi agreed and said, "what can I say when you both are on the same page, I am just worried about you. Fine, I will allow but promise me that you will call us every day, and you will allow me to come to the airport with you."

Diana happily agreed, and she dragged Preethi into her bedroom to help in packing.

Stephen laughed at them, saying, "let us have breakfast. Your flight is in the night, right..?"

Diana shouted back, "nope, pops! You enjoy, what if my dearest mother goes back on her word..?"

Preethi slapped her playfully and said, "when did I ever go back on my word..?"

Diana showed her tongue childishly and opened her trolly, asking her mother to help arrange the things inside it neatly.

Preethi shaking her head, started arranging everything, and Diana went out of the room to attend another call.

Her archeology professor, Ahmed Khan, called her and informed her, "Diana, we have to be there three hours prior, as we need to complete some official formalities in the airport."

Diana answered, "Okay, Professor, I will inform others as well. Aah! Professor, if you don't mind, can I bring my parents to the airport.

You see, Professor, my mother is quite worried about my safety as this is the first time I am going far away from Melbourne."

Professor Ahmed replied, "of course, you can bring them. There will be no problem, I guess."

Diana replied happily, "yes, Professor, thank you so much. We will meet at the airport then."

"Alright then, I will be waiting in the airport," Professor Ahmed replied and disconnected the call.

After having breakfast, Stephen went into the storeroom and came out with a medium-size package. He unwrapped it and then went into Diana's bedroom.

Grinning ear to ear, he said, "Preethi, pack this camera as well. She will get pictures from there."

Preethi laughed at his childishness, "Don't you think she may not be allowed to bring a camera along with her..?"

"Nonsense, how come she can't bring a camera with her. A young lady like her should have an advanced camera like this."

After coming in hugging her father, Diana said, "for what, my dear pops, to bring pictures for you," she spoke out of his father's intention.

He coughed awkwardly and defended, "what are you speaking, my one and only daughter? The camera is for you to keep memories, you know. In the coming days, a camera is necessary."

"Alright, alright! I will take the camera with me," Diana agreed.

When he casually glanced at the clothes his wife is packing, Stephen immediately frowned, "young lady, don't you think all your clothes are a bit too short for you..?"

Diana replied, "of course not, dear father. I am not going on a holiday or graduation ceremony. I am going to the desert to study mummies."

Preethi and Diana fell into a fit of laughs looking at Stephen's unimpressive look.

After packing her luggage, they came out, and Diana urged them, "come on, pops and mommy, I want to go out with you."

Preethi said, "no! I have so much work in the house."

Stephen said, "what work do you have..? Today is Sunday, not a working day. Come on, and it's been a while since we went out."