Ready for a hike

".....................rest time" Raju said it as always. They had hiked only for about 20 mins and Raju was already breathing heavy. Jagdish was walking briskly and was way ahead of the pack. Mohan and Dinesh were taking photos of the trees they saw around. Jagdish shouted looking down towards the place where Raju was resting. "Raju, this way we will never make it to the fort before noon, and then we have to cut short our time on the fort, the whole schedule will be a mess..." Raju was breathing heavy and decided to not reply. Jagdish decided to sit down, since going alone was never a good idea in the dense forest. It took another 20 mins for Raju to catch up with Jagdish. Mohan and Dinesh were also close. Apparently Jagdish had stopped them from taking any more pictures since he believed it was slowing down the hike.

The group of 4 then continued slowly upwards, however Raju just could not keep up with the pace. Soon it was close to 11am. Jagdish said "Thats it, we need to look for alternative path, if we have to make it to the top...." Raju in a very soft voice said "We don't have a map, thats a high risk..." Jagdish replied loudly "Its all your fault, you fat swine, wish I had not taken you with us..." Raju did not like what Jagdish said and was about to say something when Mohan interrupted them, sensing that this can break into a fight. Mohan said "Lets try to figure out a trail by observing around, Dinesh behind those bushes there seems a trail, most probably its a dry river bed..." Jagish had a wide smile on his face, "Guys, yes great work Mohan, lets use the river bed as the trail and see how far we can go...."

It was after another hour that the group gave up. Raju looked red, Jagdish was holding his head. Mohan and Dinesh were about to cry. "This is what we get to be adventurous, I hope you learnt a lesson Jagdish, we are in the middle of nowhere, we cannot descent considering the slope we trekked, at least I cannot, neither can we go any further since the river bed just ended abruptly in the woods"

Jagdish wiped the sweat on his forehead. He observed that some thing had bit him in the lower part of his calf muscle and it was slowly swelling. Raju was looking in anger towards Jagdish. Just then they heard a voice in the bushes, it was as if some one was walking towards them. Mohan stood up, trying to look for who it is. He soon saw the figure and had a hope in his eyes. Dinesh walked towards the incoming figure and asked "Friend can you help us?"

The boy was about 16 years. He seemed like a local resident by his clothes. The boy at first looked a bit scared to answer. But then he looked at the group and realized that they are lost. He walked closer and asked "How come you got to this place in the forest? I think you people were planning to go to the fort." Jagdish quickly rushed to the boy "yes, yes we want to, but we lost the way, please help us, please in return we can give you some money...."

Raju shouted "Jagdish!", he did not like Jagdish's idea to give the money to Pandhari, Jagdish ignored him. He removed his wallet and offered 10Rs. The boy smiled and took it. The boy then looked towards the water bottle that Raju was carrying. Jagdish pulled it from Raju's hands and offered it to the boy. Dinesh asked "What is your name?" The boy replied promptly "My name is Pandhari."

Soon the pack of boys were following Pandhari. It was after another 20 mins, that they saw the fort. Pandhari guided them to the top of the fort. At the entrance of the fort was a huge stone with some engravings. The four boys stood next to the stone and asked Pandhari to take the pic. Pandhari did it enthusiastically. After taking the snap he handed the camera back to Mohan.

Jagdish, Raju and Dinesh stood around Mohan to see the picture that the camera had just clicked. The picture had come very nicely. To the left of the stone was Mohan and Dinesh. To the right stood Jagdish and Raju. Raju read loudly the engravings on the stone "In memory of Pandhari who committed suicide from the fort three years back...." The four boys looked behind to see Pandhari missing...............that was the last time they want on a hike.....

Hide And Seek

...............hey, Arjun, what a coincidence" Suraj sees Arjun and reacts. Suraj's wife Poonam is with him. Arjun for some time is trying to remember and then suddenly moves forward and hugs Suraj. "Mustache and all, it was hard to realize its you my friend and then I saw Poonam and it struck me...good you did not grow a mustache..." Poonam said "You have not changed, nor have the quality of your jokes"

Suraj is buying some fruits from the shop. He pays the money to the shop keeper and then turns around towards his friends again "Guys, its been such a long time, I live 10 mins from here, so please come to my place so we can talk" Poonam and Suraj smile and follow Arjun. Arjun is walking fast and his guests are a few feet away from him trying to catch up. "I never liked Arjun he was such a flirt, and had so many affairs right from college days, god knows how you two became friends, you two are so very different..." Suraj looks at Poonam and frowns "Look, thats his personal thing and perhaps now he might have changed and even settled..."

Arjun enters his society and realizes that he walked too fast, so he stops. When Suraj and Poonam catches on to Arjun he quickly comments "Sorry, I was hurrying since she can come home any time" Suraj raises his eye brows. "So there is a she in your life, I mean there was always a she in your life...it was just a new she every week...just joking...are you married...?" "Suraj, thats true, not a joke, I was the Casanova of the college wasn't I, am I married the answer is no" Poonam quickly asks Arjun "So are you serious about this girl?" Suraj says "Poonam!"

Arjun walks into the lift, he is followed by his guests. He presses the 3rd floor button. "Suraj, its ok, even before you two got married, I and Poonam were friends so she has all the rights...." Poonam is unimpressed by the statement. Arjun continues "To answer you Poonam, yes I am very serious about this girl..." The lift stops at the third floor and the three of them get out of it. Arjun quickly unlocks the door and switches on the lights and fan. The living room is equipped with all necessary luxuries like tv, sofa, telephone etc. Poonam and Suraj sit on the sofa as Arjun goes into the kitchen to keep the fruits in his refrigerator.

He comes out to find his guests whispering something. "Coffee?" Both of them nod in agreement. After 5 mins Suraj stands up. "I will be right back..." Poonam picks up the magazine and starts reading in response. Suraj walks into the kitchen where Arjun is making the coffee and singing a song. "Hey, Arjun so how long do you know this girl..." Suraj asks. Arjun replies "Which girl?............oh the one who is coming in some time.....I know her for an year now..." Suraj is astonished and reacts with a big smile. "Wow! Did you ever continue with a girl for even more than a month..you have really changed. I am so happy...." Arjun smiles in response...:and says "Well what can I say time changes everything....the coffee will take some time by then we can talk outside..." Both men move out to see Poonam almost sleeping on the sofa. "Thats why we need coffee..." Arjun says. "I am sorry, we came from USA 2 days back so going through a bit of jet lag.." "Its fine Poo..." just when Arjun is about to complete his line, he hears a horn.

He moves towards the window looks down and says "yes honey, I will be right with you sweet heart..." Poonam and Suraj watch with smile on their face. Poonam says "You must really lover her..." Arjun quickly replies "More than anyone and anything, excuse me I will be right back, she needs some help...", as Arjun leaves the room. Poonam says "I was so wrong about Arjun, he has changed, whoever the girl is she is so lucky..." Just then the phone placed next to the sofa rings. At first Suraj is hesitated to pick it up but then he picks it up and says "Hello, Oh he is gone...yes....sorry...ok...what....he is...oh...I will give him the message..." Poonam asks Suraj "What happened, who was it.." Suraj "Son of a ***** he will never change, it was a girl with whom he is going out today...." Poonam gives an angry look and says "Men, they never change, he is cheating on a girl....how can you be friends with such a person..."

"Hello, can I introduce you to my love..." Poonam and Suraj both turn around together with anticipation but are surprised to see no one next to Arjun. But then they move their eyes down and see a girl of 4 years old. The girls says "Good evening Uncle and Aunt...my name is Manasi....nice to meet you..." Suraj fumbles at start and then says "Nice to meet you too, sweetie you are very beautiful..." Arjun squats down and says "Manu these are my friends, like Chinu and Tanu are your friends same way.." "So do you people play hide and seek like us..." Poonam replies "Well some times we do, but today your Dad.." she was awkward while using the words and then continued "...found us....hiding" Arjun says "Manu go now, and change your clothes and then clean your hands and legs with soap..." Manasi replies "Ok Dad..."

Suraj and Poonam shows signs of confusion. Arjun has an ear to ear smile. "Sorry for not being clear, I wanted to have some of my own fun, sorry again, I adopted her last year, I am not married yet, her mother was my friend and a single mom, she passed away, but I am not her DNA Dad.................how did I end up adopting her is a big story which I will tell you over the coffee, so let me get it...."

Just when Arjun is about to go into the kitchen Suraj says "You have a message, a girl called in...." Arjun says "Neeeta, I am currently dating her, so I need to drop Manasi at her baby sitting................and then...." Poonam cuts him and asks "So why are you not getting married.....?" Arjun smiles, winks and says "I am still young............................................"