Plans for tomorrow

It was a Friday evening. I had just returned from the office. My body was tired from this week's work - so were my mind and brain. It felt amazing that I had 2 day ahead of me to relax and refresh. I was making plans towards how I was going to consume the next 48 hours, that is when my phone buzzed. I checked my phone to see the sea of text messages.

I had 200+ text messages from a friend group and another text from my friend Shweta. I decided to first read Shweta's text "hey. Where are you? Why are you not responding to the texts on the group?"

After reading Shweta's text I looked at the friend group, now the text count had crossed 300. I felt irritated. I had no patience to read through 300 texts, but I had to respod to Shweta to not appear rude.

"Hey. Was busy. What's the deal with so many texts on the group? Does nobody work on Friday?" I tried to keep the tone casual though I was frustrated and tired.

"Okay since you are almost as busy as our prime minister, I will spill it out for you. We are going to Lonavala tomorrow. The bus leaves at 4 am, be ready by 3:45, I will meet you at the highway" I read the text from Shweta. My irritation was growing with each passing second. I was tired and wanted to get rest. I did not want to go anywhere. I just wanted the comfort of my home. I had to tell her that I am not joining.

"You guys have fun, I am not joining. I am little unwell and need to rest. Share pics on the group and I would love to see", (no I wouldn't) I texted back to Shweta and on group chat, thinking it was my escape. But it wasn't.

After the text I received a group video call from 5 friends including Shweta. It was Shweta who took the charge to interrogate, "why are you not coming? I don't want to hear anything. Be ready by 3:45 tomorrow".

"Guys I really cannot come. I am feeling feverish. I have bodyache too. Feels like I am coming down with viral. I should better stay home," I lied through my teeth. Nobody wants a sick person on the journey.

"You do not look unwell to me. What's the reason? Do you have any other plans? Come clean dude," said another friend. They were really determined.

"I have no plans but I am really not well. I had a long week at work and next week is going to be equal bad if not worse. I need rest not some rainy trip," I gave in, I was too tired to stay on a conference call and argue.

"We all are tired. This is a way to refresh and recharge," said another friend.

"Does not work for me that way. Guys I really need to rest this weekend. I hope you have a great weekend ahead. Enjoy," I really wanted to end the conversation and go to sleep.

"You are such a spoil sport," Shweta said while rolling her eyes.

"Okay, have fun," I said and hung up the call.

This was the moment when I did not feel to justify how I was not a spoil sport or even say sorry for not joining the group. I was just protecting my health. I was making the choice for my own benefit. It was a small act of defiance but it did hurt everyone.

I did not feel guilty for moving away from the group decision, but I was glad that I prioritized myself than pleasing the group.