The first rays of sunlight danced across the polished floors of the mansion as the Pasimupindu family bustled with excitement. Today was special—not because of exams, social media milestones, or scholarships—but because they were leaving for a family vacation. Shelly had insisted: before she flew to Thailand in June for her Chulalongkorn orientation, they deserved a break, a memory-making trip together.
"Shelly, are you sure you packed enough clothes for all your vlogs?" Leratho asked, balancing a beach hat on her head. "You're going to have to film everything."
"I did," Shelly replied with a grin, checking her camera bag for the fifth time. "And this time, we're not just taking selfies. We're documenting memories that matter."
Caro, dragging her suitcase, rolled her eyes playfully. "You and your obsession with recording everything. Just enjoy it, Shelly!"
Collins laughed, giving his sister a playful shove. "Enjoy it? She's already thinking of content schedules, TikTok trends, and Instagram reels for the whole trip."
I smiled, shrugging. "It's part of the fun. Plus, it's a family vacation. Who says work and play can't mix?"
Mom and Dad exchanged amused glances, both smiling at their kids' banter. Even Clifton, bouncing on his heels, and Leratho, impatient with the morning packing, couldn't hide their excitement.
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The family's destination was Victoria Falls, a breathtaking wonder just a few hours from Harare. As the car wound along the scenic roads, laughter filled the vehicle. Collins recounted a story from his engineering class, Leratho argued with Clifton about who got the window seat, and Caro teased me for obsessively checking the camera angles.
I caught snippets of conversation and secretly filmed them for my vlog. "Nothing beats this," I murmured to myself. "This is the kind of content people love—not staged, just real life."
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Their first stop was the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, where the mighty Zambezi roared below.
"Whoa," Leratho whispered, gripping my arm. "It's… massive."
Caro laughed. "You said the same thing last time, but it's worth saying again."
Collins, trying to be serious, pointed at the suspension cables. "Engineering marvel, people. Did you know this bridge was completed in 1905?"
I smiled, filming him narrating. "And that's why he's the official 'technical correspondent' of this trip," I joked.
Even Dad and Mom joined in, holding hands and posing for pictures against the misty backdrop. The air was filled with water droplets, sunlight creating a rainbow across the falls. Everyone took turns capturing candid moments, laughter echoing across the gorge.
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Later, they explored local craft markets. The stalls were alive with colors, wood carvings, beadwork, and vibrant textiles. Mom and Caro picked up small souvenirs, while Collins bargained playfully with a vendor for a miniature drum. Leratho dragged me into trying on colorful hats, insisting we make a TikTok trend out of it.
"Shelly, this is perfect for your channel!" Leratho squealed. "Let's make a dance reel with hats!"
I laughed, placing my camera on a small tripod. Soon, the family was twirling and laughing, a montage of bright colors, ridiculous hat poses, and spontaneous dance moves. Even Dad joined with his awkward two-step, making everyone erupt in laughter.
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By the second day, the family had arranged a river cruise on the Zambezi. Shelly stood on the deck, filming the sunset while her siblings leaned on the railing.
"This… is amazing," she whispered, watching the sky turn orange and pink. "I needed this before Thailand."
Caro nudged her. "Just make sure you don't forget us when you're rubbing elbows with Thai celebrities."
"Pfft," I said, grinning. "Not a chance. You guys are my core. Always."
Clifton tossed a pebble into the river, making a perfect splash. "I just hope I don't get eaten by a crocodile," he joked, earning groans and laughs from everyone.
Collins, ever the engineer, pointed at the riverbank. "Shelly, you should capture the flow rate. I can calculate the current for our vlog analytics."
I rolled my eyes playfully but filmed him anyway. "Every second counts. Even science nerd moments are content gold."
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Evenings were spent around a bonfire at the lodge, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and sharing reflections. I recorded a heartfelt vlog segment:
"Hi everyone," I said into the camera, firelight flickering across my face. "Today was magical. We hiked, we danced, we laughed until our stomachs hurt. This vacation isn't just about exploring beautiful places—it's about the people you share it with. My family… they've been my anchor, my inspiration, and my joy. And no matter where Thailand takes me, I'll always carry these moments in my heart."
The comments started flooding immediately. Hearts, fire emojis, and messages like "Family goals!" and "You guys are so happy!" scrolled across the screen.
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On the last day of the trip, they hiked to a viewpoint overlooking the falls. The wind tugged at their hair, the mist cooling their sun-kissed faces.
"Promise me something," Mom said softly. "No matter where life takes you, Shelly… remember to enjoy moments like this."
"I promise," I replied, squeezing her hand. "Thailand is coming. My career, my dreams, everything—but this… this is forever."
Dad put his arm around all of us. "Then let's capture it. Together."
And as I filmed the final montage of the trip—the waterfall, the dancing, the laughter, the hugs—I realized something important: this happiness, this togetherness, is what makes all the hard work worth it.
Thailand awaited, Ohm, Pond, and Phuwin were still in my dreams, and social media would keep growing—but right now, this trip, this family, this laughter… this was magic.