Chapter 1
"Hey I want that channel" shouted Charles Ernest to Augusta Hartford. Both friends were sitting in their hostel room. Both are pursuing their Master's degree in Cincinnati University. Hartford refuses to put the channel. So with anger Charles goes out. He calls his dad Mr.James Ernest, manager of Hotel Woodland in Columbus to tell him that his vacation is going to start in another 2 days and he would like to come and spend a few days with him. He also informs his dad that he has got a new job which will be beginning from the coming semester after the break. Mr.Ernest with happiness congratulates his son. He asks his son to stay in his hotel for that day as he will be flying to Chicago for an important meeting. But he assures him of his return the next day of his son's arrival and promises to take him home with him. He says that a room in the top floor will be booked for him to relax for the day.
Columbus is 6-7 hrs drive from Cincinnati. Charles anger had cooled down by then. He goes back to the room and informs Hartford about his plans to go Columbus. Charles wants Hartford to accompany him. But the sad part was Hartford had planned to go his uncle's place in Cleveland and hadn't even informed Charles about that. Before Charles became angry, Hartford says that he would like to accompany Charles till midway and then take a train from there. He also assures him of his visit to his house during the return.
Elisa enters the room and finds these 2 chitchatting. Elisa lived just next door to these 2 guys and she had a big crush on Charles. She had kept all the memorabilia of Charles since their first meeting. But poor guy Charles didn't even know about this. How sad!! Elisa asks them what they were talking about and Hartford informs her about their plans for the holidays. Charles asks her to accompany him. She was ecstatic hearing this but at the same time shattered. She was in dual state of mind. But she knew she can't change her plans now as she had already made plans of going to her native place Chicago. All 3 just chat for some more time and it was time for dinner.
Next early morning, Charles goes for a morning stroll in the park. Surprisingly he meets Elisa there. She was happy but also sad that she won't be able to see him for the rest of the holidays. Finally, she decides that it was now or never to disclose her feelings towards him.
