…And just then lightening struck, making a deafening noise and the power went out.

“What the hell, dude!” Alex exclaimed.

“Power outage in a ship, seriously” Nil grumbled.

The noise had left a ringing in Jem’s ears. It felt like that somebody had thrown a flashbang and his face was the target.When the pain had receded, he realized that the only light in the room, was coming from the window. Thankfully, it was a full moon night.

Will suggested that they should all go to the deck and check out what had happened. He said that everyone would be there as it was the only part of the ship, which was not covered and would receive the most moonlight.

“Sounds romantic. Let’s go” mused Roy.

But Jem was not at all amused. In fact, he was even a little terrified but he didn’t let his feelings out. When he said everyone would be on deck it would mean Beth would be out there too. Apart from his friends, Beth was the only person whom Jem knew before boarding the ship.

Yeah! You guessed it. Jem had a crush on Beth and only Will knew about this.

As the four of them were making their way to the deck, they were greeted with a familiar face. It was Professor Vera. Jem had met him at the port, just three days ago and he was already one of the nicest persons, he ever knew. The professor had a major degree in Geology, Zoology and Botany and could tell the name of any animal by examining their paw-prints. Although he doesn’t have a degree in it, he knew the human anatomy better than anyone. He was a really nice person but something seemed to bother him all the time. Jem had even noticed him muttering to himself, when he was alone and the why he carried a copy of “The Art of War” book, was a mystery to Jem. Will suspected that the professor might know more about military science, than he let’s out.

“You all going to the deck too” asked Professor Vera.

“Yep, Professor” replied Alex

“Let’s go together then”

“That would be fun” said Nil.

“You got a torch, Prof?” asked Jem

“No, but I have my night lamp. Let’s go” suggested the professor.

As they reached the deck, they noticed some people arguing with one of the crew members.

Passenger1 : What do you mean the lightening short-circuited the main fuse.

Crew member: Sir, we are working on it.

Passenger2 : I demand a refund and I will make sure to lodge a complain against the whole crew. Where the hell is the captain. I demand to see him.

Crew member: The captain is busy sir. He is facing some problems in the ships navigating system.

Passenger3(grumbles) :Oh! Great that means you don’t even know where we are.

As the conversation went on, Will elbow-punched Jem slowly in the ribs. He was pointing towards Beth, who was talking with another girl. But Jem knew that he couldn’t approach her know as her father might be lurking nearby. Beth’s father Mr. Wang, is that overprotective and old fashioned father, who always considers girls talking to boys as a bad omen or something.

As if to prove the point, he emerged out of the crowd and gave Jem a stare of Don’t you dare come near my daughter.

The professor who noticed Will nudging Jem, understood the matter. Maybe he had a secret degree in psycology too.

He winked at Jem and nudged him “Go tell her now. The moonlight and the power outage just created the best scenario. I will take care of her father” and then he walked up to Mr. Wang and started annoying him with his science facts. When Jem turned back he realised Nil, Roy and Alex were missing.

“Oh! Don’t worry. I sent them to the cafeteria. Took a bit of pursuing but they agreed. No one to make fun of you now, except me. Now get going before Wang get bored with the professor.” Will said.

Before Jem could react, Will pushed him slowly and he found himself walking towards Beth. His nerves were high and sweat started trickling down his temple. His heart was pounding and in his head was an image of him getting slapped if the conversation, didn’t go very well.

As he reached her, he stood still for some time. Part of him wanted to confess to her. Part of him wanted to jump into the sea and get dissolved into nothing.

“CanItalktoyouinprivate” he said these words so fast and then realized his mistake.

“Sorry what?” Beth asked. Man, she really looked beautiful in the moontlight.

“Can I talk to you in private” Jem said slowly and carefully this time.

The other girl giggled and said “Fine, I’ll leave”

Jem’s face was burning. Why did it have to be so difficult. Time was running out. Wang was getting bored with the professor.

“I want to tell you something” Jem said, his face getting redder and redder.

“Oh!” said Beth, her face reddening too. Maybe she had already guessed it.

“I just wanted to say I…”

He never finished that sentence, as the ship struck a reef, which just made a huge hole in it’s hull.

What an impecceable timing.