It's the second day of their journey to Jupiter. Adrian and Lily will travel from Jasa to Madu, which will be a long journey with a 22-hour drive. They have to get up early to board the bus, the only bus that conveys passengers from Jasa Garage to Madu in a day. So they really have to go for it ( the vehicle).
Adrian first woke up. stretched his hands and legs. He looked at his wrist watch. "Oh! It's four," he exclaimed.
Tapping Lily Adrain said, "Honey, wake up; it's already 4:00 a.m. Let's prepare and board a vehicle. I was told it's only one (vehicle) that leaves here per day. If we miss the one for the day, then we have to postpone the journey to tomorrow."
Lily, being tired of yesterday's journey from Cozaza to Jasa, struggled to get up. Slowly, she opened her eyes and stretched her hands and legs. Finally, she's up. "Good morning, sweetie," she greeted Adrian.
Adrain: "Good morning, my love. Please let's brush up and hurry to go get a bus quickly; time is running so fast."
Hastily, they took their bath, brushed up, and got prepared. Adrian picked the bigger bag, while Lily took the smaller one. They looked around hurriedly in case they might forget an item.
Getting near the booker, there were not many people standing there. "Adrain said, It's good we are here now; we might beat the crowd and get a comfortable seat."
Lily: "Yeah, that would be nice. We are going to enjoy the trip."
However, their hopes were quickly dashed as the bus filled up with passengers, many of whom were carrying large bags and luggage.
"Oh no, I wish we had another choice, another vehicle, but as it stands, there's none. Should we stay back until tomorrow?" Asked Adrian.
Lily: "We have to face it. Staying back until tomorrow is not a good option; tomorrow might be worse. No one knows tomorrow."
These words from Lily show she's not just a superhuman but also a courageous woman who is ready to withstand any challenge that comes her way in life.
Adrian was so impressed by her courage that he agreed with her. They both got into the bus, went to the rear seat, and sat down in the little available space. Not that they enjoy sitting there, but it's the only available space. Now they are packed into a small, cramped bus with no air conditioning. The heat was so intense, and the stench of sweat and body odor was overwhelming.
Adrian whispered in Lily's ear, "What the hell is this? It seems some people have not taken their bath for the past few days. It's still morning, and I wonder how odorous this vehicle will be by noon. How I wish it's like the first vehicle we boarded from Cozaza to Jasa here."
Hear what the courageous woman had to say: "We are in; we have to face it. Situations must not be pleasant all the time." And she smiled, attempting to cheer Adrian up. Adrian smiled back.
Here comes a slime-tall guy, The driver entered the bus and turned on the ignition, but there was a cracking sound from the engine. All the passengers were in doubt if the bus could make it to Madu without getting knocked on the way. The bus looks really old. Despite the worries, the driver didn't show any concern, signifying he trusted the vehicle. The bus took off anyway.
No circumstances could stop Adrian and Lily from displaying their romance. All eyes were on them as the other copassengers saw real romance between entwined hearts.
Lily brought out the pizza Adrian bought in Cozaza for her. "You can have some of the pizzas, she said to Adrain.
Adrian collected and said, "Thanks."
Unlike the driver that drove them from Cozaza, the bus driver was a reckless and impatient man who wanted to overtake every other vehicle on the way. He swerved in and out of traffic, honking his horn incessantly as if there were an emergency. The passengers were jostled and thrown as the bus careened down the bumpy road. Many called on their gods for help.
Adrian: "Please, sir, be careful; we are living beings."
"Sorry, I will be more careful," the driver replied.
"I love you for that," said Lily to her boyfriend, Adrian. They both smiled. All the other passengers applauded him too for what he told the driver.
Adrian and Lily tried to sleep, but the noise and discomfort made it impossible. They were constantly bumped and nudged by their fellow passengers, and the heat was making them feel sick.
"You can lean on me," Adrian told Lily.
Lily: "But you are exhausted too."
"I am a man. At least I can withstand more stress than you can," Adrain said.
Lily smiled and bent her head as she leaned on Adrian.
"I have never been here. I only stopped at Jasa," Adrian said.
Lily: When coming to Cozaza, I passed here, but it was dark, and I was sleeping all through because we had a smooth ride. So I couldn't take notice of anything. But I guess we are closer to Madu.
"Yeah, I think so. We have spent 17 hours on the way already. Jasa is really very far from Madu," Adrian said.
Lily: "This place is not mountainous; it is just plain, with beautiful green grasses.
Adrian: "I notice that too. I love the grasses as well. The trees here are average height with spreading branches, providing good shelter. I feel like I should jump out of this heat and relax a bit under the shade of one.
Lily: "You are right, love; those trees can really provide natural ventilation."
After what seemed like an eternity, the bus finally pulled into Jadu. All the passengers begin to alight one after the other, until Adrian and Lily alight with the other passengers from the rear seat. Adrain and Lily were relieved to finally be out of the bus, but they were also exhausted and stiff from the long journey.