Aarya Neupane
Yavna and Avi had been best friends since childhood, they grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same school, sharing lots of secrets, dreams and adventures without traveler's insurance. They were each other's other half and together they could go with the wind, discovering new things, or even just chatting between the smiles. In spite of their profoundly different personalities, addiction to danger, and interestingly upside-down approach to life; it was actually this quirk of theirs that would eventually make them become even closer. If they shared secrets and dreams between them, the conversations of one always ended with the words "I would never tell anybody but you." This will have an immediate effect on Yavna and Avi who will then be transported to another world completely different from what it used to be.
It all began on a random Saturday afternoon when Yavna hurried into Avi's room, the twinkle in her eyes that revealed her excitement. "Avi, I found a treasure map!" she called out, showing a crumpled and dust-covered piece of paper. Avi shrugged at her and looked at her. "Where did you get that?" he said. Yavna told him that she had come upon it in her attic while looking through the belongings of her deceased grandfather.
Avi showed caution as he thought that it might be just one of those make-believe things Yavna could normally come up with. But Yavna's dedication was transmittable which was why before long he said yes and they both decided to go on a treasure hunt in the woods behind the school. They took some rest and packed some light foods, water, and a flashlight before embarking on their journey.
As they traveled along, through the path, they met with a lot of challenges. They would have to cross a small stream, walk through thick bushes and even climb a rocky hill. Avi, who usually showed essential care, was often at odds with Yavna, who, on the other hand, had a more spontaneous nature and was impulsive, so they had some arguments along the way. Avi one time proposed to go back, but Yavna motivated Avi to continue.
Not until the paved pathway made a sharp turn that led to a dead end, they suddenly spotted a hidden treehouse entwined in vines. The kids discovered a box within the tree house containing the following, old letters, a few photographs, and keepsakes that Yavna’s grandfather had. The treasure was not the gold and jewels that Yavna had expected, but of letters, photographs, and keepsakes of her grandfather, who was there when she was. Yavna cried as the tears flowed out of her eyes, realizing it was not the treasure, the material possessions, but the memories and stories her grandfather shared with her through the years.
Avi looked at Yavna, smiling. "This was the real treasure, wasn’t it?" he said. Yavna nodded, understanding that the value of their journey wasn’t in what they found, but in the experiences they shared along the way.
The adventure taught them that life’s greatest treasures often aren’t material but are found in memories, friendship, and the courage to take risks. As they made their way back home, Avi and Yavna knew that this was an adventure they would remember forever, not because of what they found, but because they did it together.
