Chapter Forty
The next two weeks they were under tremendous pressure. They had to work on an assignment based on everything that had been taught so far. It was to be marked and the marks would add up to their term-end exams. They could choose their partners themselves and she chose Damian as her partner.
He came over to her house and they worked on the project work. Surprisingly, her dad didn't make any objections. He invited Damian to join them for dinner.
When all the family members were gathered, he announced his retirement, "Today I've resigned from my university children. I've decided to retire now, " he told them.
"Any problems, dad?" Asked Arnold.
"They want me to be the Dean. I can't take any more responsibilities. I love teaching but I don't want any headache. With my high blood pressure problem, I want a stress free life," he confessed.
They all agreed. The next day onwards, Angela's dad was always at home. He was planning a library at home and planning the renovations with Damian's help.
Mid-term exams cropped up and they had to study hard for it. They didn't have much time to spend with one another. With her dad at home, she wasn't free to go out as she pleased. She had to think of an excuse every time she stepped out. Life was tough for the newly engaged couple.
Damian was free to come and go to Angela's house but it wasn't fun anymore. With uncle Gerry always present, he couldn't even steal a kiss. At college, they announced their engagement to everyone and stole kisses whenever they could. Damian took it patiently, he knew this was a passing phase and soon he would talk to uncle Gerry and ask for her hand.
The mid-term exams stretched for two weeks and it was finally over. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. There was a mid-term break and the whole class was planning a trip to the nearby Adventure camp for the weekend. Angela wanted to go and coaxed her dad to give his permission. Damian was relieved that Angela would be able to accompany him.
They all packed their backpacks excitedly. There was a bus that would take the students to their destination but private transport was allowed. Damian drove Angela in his GMC Sierra and they reached the Adventure camp in 30 minutes. It was located at Craig Lake State Park, not far from Austin yet far enough to make you feel that you've escaped the city. Angela gasped at the beautiful spring wildflowers still blooming among the pink granite boulders bounding the lake and it looked warm enough to swim.
The campsite had both electricity and water. There was a clean, pay, and use bathhouse right across the street. There was plenty of parking available. The site was within walking distance of the park store and the swimming hole.
Damian excitedly parked his truck and they got down to inspect the site and choose a location for their own tent. Xavion and Juliette arrived in their Honda Ridgeline and came along with them too.
The grounds were occupying fast and they had to be quick with their inspections. Damian found a lovely spot beneath the shade of a huge tree just beside the lake. The boulder provided a sheltered corner and he decided to put up their tent there. Xavion and Juliette also selected a site a little farther away from theirs but it was an equally good spot too.
Angela and Damian went to get their camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, camp chair, etc.), hiking gear (good shoes, poles, water bottles, day pack, etc.), swimming gear, dry foodstuff, beverages, and clothes, and toiletries. The organizers would provide main meals and kitchen gear to those who wanted it.
"Dad was asking me with whom I would be sharing my tent. I took Juliette's name, " said Angela as she helped him fix their tent.
"Good that he gave his permission. I didn't expect me to, " said Damian truthfully.
"I know, after dad's retirement, he's become too grumpy and short-tempered," she said and Damian agreed.
"Maybe he's bored. He has always been active all his life, " said Damian. "He needs to take membership into the Happy club nearby. They hold Tai Chi classes in Crest Park, along with other activities. Uncle Gerry could meet people his age and he would be occupied," he suggested.
Angela considered his suggestion. "Yes, your right. I'll talk to Alex to get him enrolled," she said agreeing. They fixed their tent and kept all their belongings inside.
"Let's start?" Damian asked with a wink.
"Start what?" She asked.
"Lovemaking where we left off, once upon a time," he said with an eye-roll.
"Not now Damian. Let's check out the site first," she said and pulled Damian along with her to check the site out. The chirping of the birds flying homewards, the beautiful rays of the setting sun, the gentle sway of the breeze, the soft rippling sound of the water as the gentle breeze blew over it, all created a very heavenly atmosphere around them.
Damian went over to Xavion and Juliette's tent to inspect and they started recollecting old times when Xavion and Damian used to go camping as children. Angela also joined them after collecting the food that she had brought with her. She distributed everyone chilled lemonade and cheese sandwiches.
They had thirty minutes to unpack and then the organizers wanted them to assemble at the main field to discuss the activities that have been planned for them. They had already unpacked their stuff so they finished eating up the food first.
Damian held Angela's hand and went to the main field where many of their classmates were gathered. Everyone was in a happy and excited mood, chatting animatedly amongst themselves.
The organizers distributed their schedules and discussed the rules and regulations of the campsite. Today they were free to interact on their own. Tomorrow at 8 o'clock in the morning a drive up the road was planned for a tour of Longhorn Caverns. After lunch, there would be a visit to the nearby winery, a swim at the Devil's Water Hole. In the evening many games were planned like a scavenger hunt, basketball, dodgeball, arts and crafts, friendship bracelet weaving, sailing, talent hunts, and many more with a campfire at night. Sunday they would visit the nearby Inks Lake State Park in the morning and by evening they would return home.
Everyone dispersed to do their own stuff. Some went to the park store to check out their display. Some went for a swim in the lake, some sat around a bonfire singing songs and chatting, some lazed around on their camp chairs and watched birds.
Xavion and Juliette took a walk around the site. Damian and Angela were busy discussing the schedule. They weren't interested in taking a walk as they had already checked out the area.
They went back to their tent and sat down on a blanket spread out in front of their tent. "When will we inform dad, Damian?" Asked Angela.
"I'm too scared to inform uncle Gerry. I don't want to face the reality that he would be confessing," said Damian with his eyes closed.
"What do you think is the truth?" She asked, deep in thought.
"Let's not discuss it now. I want to enjoy the time I have with you," he said and she too leaned into him.
"What about the letter that your mom left you? She asked you to go through her diary when you turned eighteen. Remember?" Damian asked and Angela sat up and looked at him. She had completely forgotten about that.
"I had completely forgotten about it. I will read it when I return home," she informed him.
"Good. Now forget everything and kiss me," he said, pulling her close and claiming her lips in a hot, wild kiss. They both didn't want to waste any time. They had found an opportunity to be with one another and they couldn't waste it. He kissed her with passion, parting her lips with his and delving his tongue deeper.
He kissed her more and released her. They walked hand in hand to the edge of the water and sat down on a boulder, dipping their legs into the water and feeling the cool waters touch their feet.
"Grass Roots Farm has received a huge success after a week of operations already. I'm glad that I could fulfill my dreams. I'm planning to build another farm on the same model elsewhere. I would of course do my research where I want it to be built," he said, with a smile.
"Congratulations Damian. I always knew that you could make it," she said with a warm smile on her face.
"I can only make it if you're with me, Angel. You read your mom's diary first. I want to know everything," he said with a sigh.
"I know. Even I'm curious to know what lies ahead," she said. They walked hand in hand back to their campsite.