Chapter-1
That was a Sunday, 27th March, 2011. We were seven 1) Jayant Sahoo 2) Prince Raj (our guide) 3)Anil 4) Sreenu 5) Rammohan 6) Suresh 7) Lokesh (myself).
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| Prince Anil |
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| Jayant |
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Lokesh |
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| Suresh |
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Ramu |
| Sreenu |
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| Journey Begins |
We traveled by bikes till the foot of a hill and parked them at a friend's home nearby. The Sun emerged out of horizon, glowing the great mountain right before us with his multi-colored rays. All of us stared at the alluring beauty and started scaling it. Some took strides, some stroll, scaling along the same path but managed to be together within the visible zone. After a few strides Jayant and myself who were leading the team looked back for other companions. Everyone vanished all of a sudden. No sign of any people in the vicinity. Silence loomed the green trees and even a flowing rivulet. I could feel my heart thumping as I knew some secrets about the place. We both took our cell phones out of our pockets clumsily and started calling them on their cell phones. Both of the cell phones beeped in different tones but with a same message that read "No network connectivity". So I asked Jayant sir to sit and relax but be vigilant and went down retracting the path in search of them.
In order to cause no alarm to Jayanth sir, once I had left his sight I ran as fast as I could. Wiping the sweat over my forehead I gazed all around with eyes open wide. Rate of sweating dropped as I found Sreenu climbing up safely but there was no sign of other four.
"Where are others?" I asked Seenu with a haste in my voice.
"They are all worn out. So taking rest a few yards down the path" he replied.
"Fine don't ever be isolated here. Come with me to find them, fast" I shouted and took a trot.
Exactly 2 minutes later I heard some voices either laughing or screaming, I couldn't figure out. As rate of sweating bounced back we ran chasing the unclear voices. We found Suresh and Anil at a distance taking pictures of each other with a board grin on their faces, Prince and Rammohan sitting under a tree, looked tired but unharmed. I thought "Lucky guys as they know nothing :)".
"Having fun folks??" I roared in delight.
"Yupiee location was beautiful so taking some snaps here" said Suresh.
"Hmm it's been more than 10 mins and millions of photos have been clicked" said Prince.
"Both want to get married ASAP so spending their time on photo shoot" screamed Ramu (Rammohan).
I feared "oh!! getting married?? I wouldn't have called them".
"Oh!! that's wonderful. Let's move on buddies. We got a long way to go" I said.
"We are pretty tired. Let's take a respite for sometime" said Anil.
"Remember friends, initial steps are always tough. If you go down we can't make it to our destination. So get rid of initial inertia, exert all your energies, moreover Jayant sir is waiting there alone. So got to be quick. And never ever be isolated we got to stay together throughout our journey, it's crucial. And don't ask me why is that crucial, it is just a formal precaution" I said.
"I forgot the most crucial aspect, What about our breakfast and lunch?" smiled Anil.
"Arrangements have been made" I shrugged.
"What is there in that huge bag you are carrying and where is it now?" wondered Anil.
"No more questions buddy. Let's climb TOGETHER" I yelled and strided swiftly.
Six of us started our trek. Silence loomed all over the hill again. I almost ran to reach Jayant sir quickly. He was relaxed, sitting at the same location beside my huge bag, peering all around. I felt "experienced, vigilant and of course knowledgeable, happy to have him with us". So the count had become 7 again as we all started our expedition. Gentle breeze tickling our sweaty faces, a petty flow of rivulet down the hill boosting our energy levels, we traveled together with more spirits and hopes.
Just after nearly a pleasant and enthralling 10 minutes, trees started trembling, leaves started shedding, weird noises filled the silent hill and the forest. My heart thumped with tremor. "Prince it's time" I admonished. He (Prince) took a sharp dagger from his bag while I took a small knife from my huge bag and warned everyone to step back. "Time has come" I pondered. Murmurs began in the troop as everyone trembled with fear. Jayant sir said "Keep quiet guys, we got to be wise here. Back off everyone". He suggested everyone to bend down and stick together and he surveyed the bushes surrounding us as we kept silent like kids listening to a class attentively.
Chapter-2
"It's all clear folks let's move on" declared Jayant.
"You silly, they were just monkeys, make sure we protect our food items" chuckled Anil.
"Yes they were just monkeys, so let's carry some kind of weapon everyone. Prince it's time to warm your dagger up" I smiled. Thought "Glad they haven't seen the terrifying part"
Prince cut some branches and made sort of bludgeons out of them and supplied to everyone.
"It's 8:30 AM let's have breakfast" groaned Suresh.
"Of course, we are too close to an awesome location where we enjoy having our breakfast. It is just 5 mins climb from here" Prince pointing towards the place.
We all reached the place that Prince recommended. It is nothing but the origin of the rivulet that we followed upstream. Much beautiful than what he explained. I opened my huge bag and took a sweet pack and said "Kuch meeta hojai". Sreenu distributed apples to everyone, while I did the same with biscuits. All ate well filled our water bottles.
"We are weary, feeling sleepy" said Anil and Suresh in unison.
"You guys were tired even before we started" teased Sreenu.
"Yes we are not 'Tiger man (Courtesy: Prayanam movie)' like you" said Suresh.
"Yeah when Tiger man Sreenu walks clouds separate, I have literally seen clouds moving apart" added Anil.
"By the way Lokesh don't you get tired?" puzzled Ramu.
"Why not?? I am also a human being, just like you. In fact I genetically sweat more and get tired soon" I replied.
"Then how do manage to keep moving?" asked Anil.
"I use a powerful technique. I just imagine my girl is waiting for me at Jharana and keep moving to meet her" I said vehemently.
"If you got feelings for a gal what else could be a better way of utilizing it??" I propounded.
"So are you sure you gonna return?" laughed Jayant sir followed by everyone.
"I just conveyed the fact buddies, every time I imagine the same. Once I reach there, I always wish she were there with me to savor the panoramic view. This is what drives me to complete my last sprint in everyday's jog. By the way once the time arrives to return, it requires a lot of effort to make up my mind to assume that she is there at home, waiting with a cup of coffee :)" I said.
"Wah!! Wa!!! Wah Wa!!" everyone saluted mockingly.
“Who is that lucky gal?” smirked Prince.
“No one, I don’t have a girl friend.” I declared.
“Have you ever spoken unequivocally?” questioned Ramu.
“I love riddles, either to raise or to solve.” I answered.
"Sometimes both??" chuckled Sreenu
"Sometimes both??" chuckled Sreenu
“You don’t have a girl friend but you imagine your gal right?” confirmed Jayant sir.
“Yes” I said.
“Then you haven’t proposed her yet or perhaps trying to do so isn’t it right?” shot Jayant Sir.
“Perhaps, It would be wise if I left this question unanswered because a drug that cures 99.99% of a disease can't become an antidote. So I don't prefer dawdling here much. The clock is ticking. Let's resume our journey otherwise we won't be able to accomplish our task." I said and stood up strapping my huge bag around my shoulders.
"Here goes one more riddle" yelled Anil and Suresh.
"You guys will come across many of them here" I smiled looking at Prince as we exchanged the smiles.
All got up on their feet, some sluggish, some enthusiastic, still no other option but to move on. We had climbed till we reached a flat terrain.
"Yes we reached the summit" I shouted in delight.
"How do you know that it is the peak?" asked Ramu.
"Oh!! That's simple. I could see no upward slope further" I shrugged.
"Dude to be honest, till here I remember" whispered Prince in my ears.
"Try to recollect and move on. Let's not panic our partners but it is time to show something to acclimatize them to the current situation" I said.
Chapter-3
"What is the matter with you guys? Whispering covertly?" urged Anil.
"Nothing" said Prince.
"There is something we have to tell you before moving further" I replied.
"What!! One more riddle?" laughed Ramu.
"Sure. Why not. Actually this time I am going to show it instead of saying it" I shrugged.
"What is that?" asked Sreenu.
"Come with me" I said as I took them to a place nearby.
"Do you have any idea what is this?" I enquired showing a footprint.
"We haven't observed this. Yeah it is a footprint of some animal" panicked Suresh.
"Plausibly it could be of Bear's" revealed Prince.
"He is right. I can show some more evidences if you are interested" said the experienced Jayant.
"Look at those marks on trees, Bears do that. And look at this excreta, full of seeds, This is the season for these and Bears love it" Jayant concluded the presence of Bears.
"But nothing to worry about. We are seven and nobody has ever witnessed a Bear before dusk" I told trying to conceal the deception.
"You are crazy, insane and childlike. What if we come across a Bear? I am not ready to die soon" stammered Anil.
"Anil is right" supported Suresh and Ramu.
"Come on dudes. Don't whine like a girl. Bear will not ramble or hunt in day time and it will never come close to us if we stay together. Despite all if we happen to come across, Janyat sir is well aware of hunting and escaping strategies" I said in a dominating tone.
"That will not happen. If we happen to see a Bear everyone flees while I can't even run fast, eventually become his lunch" said Anil sweating profusely as his pulse rate increased.
"Bear is a vegetarian" smiled Prince. I signaled him "ushhhhhhhhh " placing my forefinger over my lips.
"It is all your fault that we are in trouble" everyone (Ramu, Anil and Suresh) attacked Sreenu.
"Hey!! It's not my fault. I said that I had no idea where were we going. Still you guys came." screamed Sreenu.
"Leave it guys. I just wanted to provided you some trivial information. Let's forget it and move on" I said.
"We are not ready to go anywhere. Let's go back to our homes" said Anil and sat down.
"Hey listen. I got a family and a kid. I still came. Do you really think there could be something terrifying here?" assured Jayant.
"I don't know sir. I see Bears everywhere now" almost wept Anil.
"We too" shouted Ramu and Suresh.
"Come on guys cheer up. We came this far. Let's complete our job" I said.
"No" said Anil, Suresh and Ramu simultaneously.
"Fine. Let's follow democracy here as well. How many for moving ahead?" I said.
Jayant, Prince and I (3 of us) raised their hands.
"How many against moving ahead?" I asked.
"Anil, Suresh and Ramu (3 of us) raised their hands.
"3 for, 3 against and 1 obstinate" I declared.
"What do you really recommend Mr. Sreenu and Ramu?" I questioned.
"We are still skeptical. But kinda more towards moving ahead as we came this far." they said.
"So sorry Mr. Anil and Mr. Suresh we have to move on. Never fear. We are here for you" I said as we
started our journey on an unknown path.
Chapter-4
An excursion has become an adventurous expedition and gloomy for some. I could almost hear the thumping of some hearts. After about half an hour Prince lost his patience and told me "We are lost dude. I wonder whether I could retrace the path".
"Murphy's law!!" I thought.
"Not now Prince. Let's get deep into shit before we reveal" I smirked.
"I am afraid are we on the right track adding to the fear of Bear" Anil broke the silence.
"What made you think that way? We got a guide here." said Sreenu.
"Because I couldn't see any traces of human movement here" exclaimed Anil.
"He is right" supported Suresh and Ramu again.
"Dude this path is not trampled frequently" Prince assured.
"Only by Bears" I smiled.
A few more minutes passed by. We strayed all over the wood, visited more and more foot prints or signs of Bear. The clock ticked 11 AM. Sun almost reached his zenith, dropping this rays perpendicular to the surface. Forest was dry but dense. I could fathom from the faces of Anil, Suresh, Ramu and even Sreenu that they were afraid and suspicious. Everybody is hungry and tired as silence loomed all over the hill and the wood.
"I am hungry, let's eat something" murmured Anil as his energy level dropped.
"Before that I would like to reveal the actual riddle we have been trying to solve" I said beckoning everyone.
"No energy left to think" squealed Suresh.
"Don't worry. You all get enormous amount of energy once you hear this" I smiled.
"What is that?" asked Sreenu.
"Has anyone remember the path we came?" I questioned.
"I don't think so. We roamed a lot, took a lot of turns and twists. Everywhere there are trees and bushes. By the way we got our guide right?" answered Anil comprehensively gaining energy.
"That is the riddle. Actually he doesn't know the path but we thought something or the other would turn up to help us. The outcome is we are lost, completely" I disclosed.
"You idiot, stupid. I already decided that this is going be my final day in my life. Inform my parents if I am gone" cried Anil.
"Enough is Enough kid. Let's try getting the hell out of here" shouted Suresh.
"Come on guys. Accept the challenge. Let's all solve the riddle together. It will be too much fun to know the value of life, food and water" I persuaded.
"Use your democracy technique again" said Anil.
It was a tie again as Sreenu always kept neutral.
"Thank God" I thought.
"So let's begin our quest" I roared.
"I want to live please listen to me. Let's get out of here. I almost had my heart in my mouth. I see Bears everywhere. Now we are lost. No patience to feel anymore shocks" wept Anil.
Finally Ramu, Suresh and Anil sat down protesting in mere democratic way.
"You cowards" I murmured.
"Ok fine. As Jaynat is the eldest. Let's all obey his decision" I told as I called Jayant sir to start the negotiation.
"Don't worry guys. It is just 11 AM in the morning. We can roam till 12 PM and have lunch where ever we are and return back at 1 PM or so. There will be ample time. Meanwhile we could be lucky to find some village/people who could take us to the Jharana or to our homes" Jayant said.
"We are not ready to move a single inch. Let's return" said stubborn Anil.
Auction began to reduce the time span of 1 hr (11 AM to 12 PM) to 30min to 15 min, finally settled at 10 min. We saw a smile on Anil's face after about 2 hrs. I thought we could hardly go anywhere in 10 min, it was all over now and we are going to retreat.
Never believed that 10 min can change our lives. I realized that even a fraction of a second can cause a lifetime impact.
"10 min?? It is negligible. Be practical dude. Let it be 20 min" I urged.
"Not even a second after 10 min. Your time starts now" said Anil turning the stopwatch on in his mobile.
"It is okay Lokesh. Let us not trouble them much. Let us walk this way for 10 min" Jayant sir checking the directions.
Anil was exuberant, announcing the time left in the interval of 5 seconds. As every minute pass by 3 faces (Anil, Suresh and Ramu) rejuvenated in contrary 3 faces (Prince, Sahu Sir and Myself) became pallid with disappointment and 1 face (Sreenu) kept aplomb.
"9 min and 55 seconds over so last 5 seconds left before we return" Anil cried out in joy.
Chapter-5
"It is all over. Mission abolished. I don't want to retreat. Please!!!!" I despaired.
Either nature or the almighty whoever it might be, heard my voice I guess, a horde of villagers/woodcutters came trampling towards us carrying huge axes over their shoulders.
Expressions on the faces just switched places at the zenith. Pale faces started glowing and glowing faces started getting pale.
"Fortune favours the brave" I thought.
"Prince!! It's our day man. Go and ask them whether they could guide us to Jharana?" smiled Jayant sir.
"No!! ask them whether they could get us the hell out of here. Please..... " pleaded Anil.
"Sure. We explore both the options. As we come this far let's first assess the possibility of visiting Jharana. These people are well acquainted with this place and they can help us to returning as well. Execution happens only if it is 100% possible and safe to return. Is that fine?" negotiated experienced Jayant sir.
"Ok!! All right. Only if 100% safe." groaned Anil reluctantly.
"Hello folks!! We are actually lost while searching for Jharana. How far is it from here? Could you guys guide us till there?" enquired Prince in vernacular language.
"The way is straight and legible. It is quite far from here, takes 2 hrs by walk. They need to cut wood to feed their family today. So they can't spend much time with us." said prince translating their words.
"No problems. They all don't need to come. Just 2 guys with axes and we pay them 100 each." I said.
Prince conveyed them my words and they agreed happily.
"I got a question for them. Please translate." urged Anil.
"They can fathom Hindi reasonably good." replied Prince.
"Idhar Balu hey kya? (Is there any bear here?)" asked Anil eagerly.
"Balu nahi Bahut Balu hey (Not bear, there are many bears here.)" one of the villagers replied.
"See let's get out of here. What say?" pleaded everyone for support.
"Dude. We got sturdy company here with axes and all. Nothing to worry. Let's move ahead." Declared Ramu, Sreenu and Suresh in Unison. Anil kept quiet as he became loner.
With villagers as our guides and guards we marched following them. They were fit and fast in walking. We felt like hobbits in Lord of the rings, trotting behind them. I ran behind them to keep everyone on the right path as all of us started exploiting our final and hidden sources of energy in our body cells. Path was pretty clear and legible as they said but not a piece of cake.
"Not any more. I am going to faint. Ask them to reduce the pace." squealed Ramu, the shortest.
"I too" said Anil.
"Let us halt for a while" Prince asked our guides.
It took a few moments to all of us to come together. Clock ticked 12 in the noon. Sun was shining very bright right above our heads, scorching. A splendid hill and wood completely shielded the rays keeping us cool. We have to climb down the hill and bypass the other and climb up another in order to reach the fall. Everybody is exhausted, weary and hungry. What a day it was thought everyone. What was going to happen bothered a few of us. Anil almost drenched in his own sweat but looked relieved.
"I have another question to ask, last one please." pleaded Anil.
"No more man. You just freak everyone out. So better keep them for the evening talk." Jayant sir said.
"Please. I promise. The final one. I will not ask anything any more." beseeched Anil again.
"Not even for lunch" I smirked.
"That is an exception Lokesh. It is fine. Go ahead but keep it simple and harmless." permitted Janyat sir.
"My dear folks. Has ever bear attacked anyone in the day light?" shivered Anil.
"Ever!!! Several times. In fact a bear attacked the priest of the Jharana fatally, where we are going right now." replied villagers in chorus.
"Youuuuu sona.....*** " screamed Suresh at me followed by an apology.
"It's all right. I knew it before but I didn't want to scare you guys." I replied in a poised voice suppressing anger.
"Oh!! Again. Please don't fill your minds with terror guys. Please be cooperative. We gonna celebrate. Trust me in this." tried Sreenu to rekindle the feared ones.
"Are you taking us to sacrifice us to the temple/God over there?" cried Ramu.
"Hmm back to basics again." I thought and signal the eldest and experienced Jayant sir to take over the issue.
"Listen guys. There is no point in mulling over the same issue again. We came this far and no point it returning back. So the decision is firm and unaltered. We gonna visit Jharana and return safely. Moreover we give more priority to your safety than that of us. Lokesh and myself can assure you that." lectured Jayant that almost incited everyone's mind.
"We can't afford to waste time any more. Let's go." said Prince.
"Yes, let's go." screamed Anil startling everyone.
Chapter-6
We marched behind our guides for about half an hour. All our energies have been consumed. But the Jharana, an amazing fall beside which a petty flow of water pouring on a Shiva lingam (a representation of lord shiva) as libation. That scene itself reloaded our energy levels to their maximum limits. Smiles occupied over our sweaty faces including Anil's. We paid our guides along with our gratitude and bade them good bye as the path was straight and predictable.
"Let's bathe." called Prince.
"The water was freezing cold." said Sreenu cupping water in his hand.
"Our bodies are fairly warm." I said.
"I can't bathe in this water" whined Anil as expected.
Anil, Suresh and Ramu stood back as Jayant sir, Prince, Sreenu and I undressed and showered under the great fall. Before bathing we swung holding an aerial root of a great banyan tree one after the other to travel back in time, to childhood. The water was freezing cold which produced a thermal shock once droplets hit our bare bodies. Suddenly all 4 of us had turned out to be the models for 4 different brands of underwears as Anil and Suresh took snaps in various postures. Gradually models got used to the chillness of the water and the merrymaking began.
"I can premise what you see in your reverie" smiled Prince.
"You are genius man." I smirked.
"You are having a great day dude. Hope even this dream would come true today." said Ramu.
"What dream? what's happening?" enquired Sreenu.
"Come on. Lokesh was in day-dream. You remember what he said before? Whom he imagines to be here?" chuckled Jayant sir.
"Yeah .. Yeah I remember. Hope she comes now and have a bathe with you." laughed Sreenu.
"You silly. In front of all you guys?? This has no chances of occurrence." I declared.
"I strongly believe in your luck Lokesh. Wait for some time. It might happen." said Prince.
"Hope so. But trust me in this my wishes never had the luck factor whereas my whims always do. So I stopped trusting luck. As you guys say let there be hope. Let there be light." I sighed.
"Bahuth senti hogaye Lokesh (You became too much sentimental Lokesh)" shrugged Jayant sir.
"Yeah yeah. It doesn't suit me right?" jolted my body and smiled.
"Well done 'genuine jockey'" shouted everyone.
"Enough of playing guys. It is 1:15 PM. Let's all pray Lord Shiva for our safe return and have lunch." screamed Anil.
"This is first time you said right thing at a right time." said Sreenu.
First time in our journey we all obeyed Anil's words and prepared a perfect stage for lunch. I opened my huge bag and started unravelling packages of lemon and curd rice. Anil bought a few packets of peanuts and cashews. He had his contingency plans I thought. While we were dining.....
"Look. Even your wishes are coming true." cried Ramu like a kid found a chocolate.
"What??" said Suresh.
"Look.. Look there." Ramu pointing finger towards the waterfall.
"Hey Lokesh. Who among them is your darling?" asked Prince.
"What nonsense while eating." I said as I gazed at the waterfall.
Chapter-7
A group of village gals came over there by another path and were bathing, triggering all the romantic senses in our bodies. They came all the way from their village to pay their tributes to Lord Shiva. They were highly devoted that we could read the chants of their minds on their faces. Their commitment and devotion not only put an end to all our lewd views but also made us focus on lunch.
"They are beautiful." said Prince.
"But I feel like bowing them." said Sreenu.
"Yes dude they are not Bikini Babes though they are bathing. It's the beauty of our culture." said Jayant Sir.
"Let's take a short nap before we depart" I sighed as my brain roamed all around, ignited by the tantalizing circumstances.
"What the hell are you doing?" enquired Suresh.
"Collecting all plastic related/non-biodegradable stuff we bought and keeping them back in my bag." I replied.
"But why?" asked Ramu.
"Because I don't want to cause any harm to the forest as far as possible." I replied.
"Strange. Tell me about yourself?" asked Anil.
"Is this kinda HR interview? fine. I completed my Dual Degree from IIT Madras in Civil Engineering. Basically from Andhra now settled in Chennai. You know the story after that." I said
"From IIT Madras to here? Interesting." puzzled Anil.
"Don't panic. It is just a brand only matters if I worth." I replied hiding my agony.
"I tell you something more interesting. Last Sunday he went alone to the top of that hill and came back. You guys still afraid now." said Prince.
"Why did you go alone?" asked Ramu.
"Because no one was interested or dare enough to join me." I replied politely.
"These guys came because I am still alive." I smirked.
"Have you come across any bears?" asked Anil.
"Again???" laughed everyone.
"I wish I had. I tried hard. I found a fox, nothing else." I sighed disappointingly.
"20 more minutes. We have to leave. So take a nap buddies." shouted Jayant sir.
We all gave some relaxation to all our muscles for 20 minutes before warming them up again. It was 2:30 PM. We all packed our bags, tied our shoelaces and marched retracing the path. Path was quite straight and easy to recollect. After 30 mins of walk the path which we thought was right came to an abrupt end. Everyone was startled including I.
"What happened to the path by which we came? We are lost again." squealed Anil.
"I don't think we made any mistakes." affirmed Sreenu.
"I am totally confused." said Ramu.
"Just relax guys. We came too close. Prince, have you been to this place before?" I shouted.
"No. We are lost again." confirmed our full time guide.
"Let's decide on what to do next" said Anil surprising everyone.
"Here you go buddy. I recommend to follow the direction and move on as it is most unlikely to find the right way even if you go back." I said
"Let Jayant Sir decide it as usual." said Suresh.
"Our team is in complete coordination. Let's follow what our crazy guy Lokesh said." declared Jayant Sir.
This time everyone in our team was on the same track. Everyone dares to risk, dares to gamble, fears nothing. There were no guides, no sturdy stalwarts with axes, all we got was hope and courage which we cultivated during our journey. As there was no path we started wading through bushes and thorny trees cautiously in the direction towards the village. No idea who guided us in that direction, our fate or destination. Clock ticked 3:15 PM. Moment that can never be forgotten. We crossed the path of our quest we guess, a baby bear stood in front of us as silent as death.
Chapter-8
He was of two feet height, three feet wide with attractive azure eyes. He looked beautiful though his body was covered with black fur. A perfect resemblance of a gigantic black teddy bear but alive. He pushed himself up on his back limbs and stared at us with excitement.
"You got a long way to go before you reach our heights baby" I thought.
He didn't even bulge and his tiny eyes never blinked. A stupid spark of temptation reached my head from the toe to go and hug him. But I could sense the fear filled some of my friends particularly Anil that stopped me from being stupid. "Thank god sorry buddies" I thought.
"Let's all close in. Come together." I whispered.
"Fortunately he is small so taking the defensive mode." said Janyant Sir.
"It is most probable that his mother/father would be nearby." I said
"You got the weapon Lokesh. Now... Let's be quick." ordered Jayant Sir.
I ignited a piece of wood, with a proper provision for ignition I was carrying and threw it near the bear. Bear growled loudly as smoke covered all our the place within seconds. We heard another howl from a Bear probably as a reply from his father/mother.
"This way. fast. run." Jayant sir shouted and ran.
We all ran following Jayant sir by staying as close as possible. Fortune favored us again in 2 aspects. First the direction was towards the destination. Second within 2 mins of run we reached the path we came by in fact in less time. We stopped and marched quickly till we reached the place where we had our breakfast. We inspected all around. No signs of Bears and no noises as well.
"I thought we were going to die." said Suresh.
"I almost had my heart in my mouth." said Anil who drenched in his own sweat for the 3rd time.
"A day that can never be forgotten." said Sreenu.
"I just have to kick your a** for risking our lives." said Ramu.
"Let's have snacks now." I smiled.
"Snacks?? Now??? here?? Are you gone nuts?? Get the hell out of here fast." stammered Anil.
"Look. Village is nearby. Let's celebrate our victory here." said Jayant Sir and took a cake and a candle out of his bag.
"Black Forest from Ans (A 3 stared restaurant in neighboring town)" said Jayant.
"Forest again?" exhaled Ramu.
"Not just black without a Bear" smiled Prince.
Jayant Sir blew the candle, cut the cake and distributed the pieces and urged everyone to share their experience as briefly as possible checking his watch.
"I never knew Ans makes cakes." exclaimed Suresh.
"Anyway this forest is delicious." said Seenu.
"Both the forests were." I said licking my fingertips (right hand only :P).
"We are running out of time and moreover we would like to see the evening show. So let's start with Anil." said Jayant sir pointing his finger towards Anil.
Anil: First I thought it would be a pleasant journey. In the middle came to know it was kinda quest and adventurous. Feared like hell for my life. But I imagine myself in this kinda situations whenever I watch a thriller though I am basically timid. That fantasy came true. Thanks for that but not again.
Suresh: You are still kid Lokesh. Don't risk our lives again. But it was thrilling and unforgettable.
Ramu: As I said I have to kick your a*** kid. You are crazy and little insane. Though a great experience not again.
Sreenu: I suspected that you would do something crazy but this is far beyond what I had in mind. I loved it. Do call me if you go again.
Prince: Sorry as I did fail as a guide. I had no intention to make you struggle. I remember this forever. Lokesh call me whenever you make such kinda of trips. I got to reduce my weight at least. :P
Jayant sir: I am not new to this kinda trips. I have been to hunting and all. Still I remember those 10 minutes.
Lokesh: I am so sorry to trouble you guys. I want you to know that I got no intention to harm you by any means. I thought you guys would be excited to have such experiences. I hope we all will remember those 10 mins for the rest of our lives that changed our course of journey from frivolous to adventurous.
We climbed down, took our bikes and reached home with the memoirs of Jharana carved in our minds permanently.
