When we all were kids , we had this urge to go out and look for the unknown. This sometimes lead us to terrible situations. This is what happened to us in 1999 Monsoons. Us includes Myself and my two other friends "Aman and Harry. We were High school friends and were in the same college. Aman's father was in Indian Railways. Life was regular like home to college. Sometimes we used to bunk but our approach towards adventure was limited to this only. So one day Aman was telling us about his trip with his Dad when he was in Middle school. He told about a forest in Baijnath ( Himachal Pradesh ) and about the railway Quarters in forest. He told us about the other nearby places where we could visit and have some adventure. We all managed somehow and convinced our parents to let us go. Now that was again a mountainous task as for our parents we were not even good to buy clothes. We were convinced in selves that we were grown up men and can take all the challenges on our own.
Initially this trip looked like a simple trip to our parents.What else boys can do with a limited budget of Rs 1500 (USD 25)/head. Three boys going to some unpopular hill station and thats all but we knew what our plans were. So we all met at the railway station in the evening. Aman's father was in Railways so we got free seats uptill Pathankot. Level of our excitment increased when we came to know that from Pathankot we have to board a toy train of British Era. Amazing train with wooden interior. Villagers were looking at us in a strange way. We three were playing Venga boys in full volume on our Portable sterio and trying to catch the lyrics of the songs. Although smoking in the train was illegal but hell we cared about law. In fact others in the train were also smoking pehaps we had our cover if Railway Police come but our fear flew away when we saw Railway Police men were smoking themselves in the next Boggy. Ohhh, we loved our India at that moment.
At around 4 our train reahced Baijnath Railway station. It was still dark. Aman told us that We will stay at the Railway quarters as it was very cheap and walking distance from the station. Railway guest house was around 500 mtrs from the railways staion. We reached there and started waiting for the caretaker to wake up. She came at around 7 in the morning. Aman showed her the letter from his Dad and she readily gave us the room.
This room was around 100 metres from her quarter and was the only room Railways had there sorrounded with trees. It looked isolated from rest of the town but it was good for us as we could play loud music, talk loud and smoke without getting noticed. Now this room was sorrounded with a ten feet fence and at the entry it was gated with a lock from inside. And then there was this big room with a roof around 15 feet high and attached washroom. There was a ventilator at the top of the entry door which was around 12 feet high. Interior was done nicely and boys we went crazy. The lady sent us the breakfast and we told her that from there on we will eat out and no need to disturb us for two days. We took a nap for couple of hours.
We decided to take a dip in a rain river which was around 5 kms from there. There were three people already. A local guy was selling local rice beer and the other two were trying to catch fish by obstracting water flow with stones. It was all new to us. We bought us beer and jumped in water. It felt really good. For the first time in my life i was on a trip and that two without anybody advising us. We bacame men that day. People there gave us respect may be because of our physique. Aman was 5.9 and weighed around 85 kgs and i was 5.11 and weighed around 98 kgs. Strong built with heavy shoulders. Harry on the other hand was slim 5.10 and weighed around 60 kgs.
Two more men came there and told us that it is raining in the mountains and a flash flood is expected. We got scared and came out of the river in seconds. Our heart beats were fast as if we had seen death. We thanked those men and went to the market , discussing the news we read in papers about flash flood claiming lives in rain rivers. We were thankful to god that these men pulled us out of possible danger.
While roaming around in the market we started discussing about the evening plans. I came up with an idea about roasting chicken in the forest and have some whiskey to add some colors to our trip. Yes, that is what a real adventure would be. We all agreed and made a list of the things we need. We bought all the ingrediants and three iron rodes. We overlooked dry wood as there would be plenty of wood in the forest but we bought some kerosene to make it easy. Bought a bottle of Whiskey with some packets of cigarette, couple of soda bottles. We were all set and went to our room discussing about evening and i forgot to tell you that Aman had brought a Hunters knife along with him which his father had gifted him a long before.
Around 8 in the evening we decided to go into the forest as it was dark enough. We took a torch with us and started walking into the jungle. Our cottage was at the start of the forest so we only wanted to go around 500 mts at the max into the woods. We knew that there were dogs and jackels and god knows what but yes we were concerned about the wild animals. After walking for around 15 minutes we saw some light. We observed that some Aghori Sadhu's were already camping there. We felt safe and decided to set fire at around 100 mtrs from there camp. God knows if some wild animal attacks us then we could call them for help. We felt little safe. Though we wanted some adventure but we were not stupid to ignore the possible dangers.
We collected stems and wooden log. We poured some kerosene and lit it. Now the fire started but with in 2 mins it went off. somehow while planing we ignored the fact that it was Monsoon season and there was no dry wood in the jungle. We tried couple more times but we failed and our patience level was giving up when we saw one Aghori coming in our direction. We sensed some help. He came to us and said that What kids? Need some help. We told him that we could not light fire as there is no dry wood. If he could help us then we shall be greatfull. He said no worries and sat with us and started lighting fire. He lit it in seconds and we sat around the fire. Chicken was roasting and we were talking to that Sadhu. He started smoking marijuana and offered us. I said no straightaway but Aman took the Chilam from him and took a drag. H told me that he has enjoyed it before and two three drags won't give my high. I don't know whether it was instinct of competition with a friend or internally i wanted to take a drag biut i took it and it was amazing. We stopped thinking about the count and started going with the flow. Harry on the other hand did not want to smoke and he straight away said no. Me and Aman started pulling his leg.
30 mins went by and Aman told me to see if chicken was cooked. I tasted a peace from leg and it was tender but little dry. I asked him to pass me the Butter but he said that he forgot it in the room. We requested Harry to bring it as he was the only sober in between us three. Harry did not want to go but said nothing and he went to the room. Now me and Aman again started smoking. We were teasing each other about sex and were discussing how life would be so boring without sex. Sadhu kept smiling and did not say anything. We thought he was high already and now we were thinking about the stamina we have that a regular marijuana user is high and where as we were normal.
Time went still. We felt that we were the centre of this whole world and were blessed to be there. Whole world and sky was looking at us and was happy that we were Men now. We were enjoying the pride of becoming men and now we were joking with Sadhu and making fun of each other. Aman, after a while sad that it had been 45 minutes since harry had gone. I looked at the watch and yes he was right. It was close to 9:30. I rejected the delay by saying that he is very slow in everything. he shall be coming any moment. Another five minutes passed and now i got worried but while we were discussing about the possible reasons for his delay, we saw him coming.
Where were u idiot what took you so long, I said and before he would answer i snatched the butter from his hand and applied it on Chicken. We gave it another five minutes and announced that it was done. Now We held the chicken from both sides and bid goodbye to the Sadhu. He said wait, Won't you give me my share? i have helped as well. me and Aman Looked at each other and he took out Rs 50 from his pocket and said, buddy there are more people with us in the room and this chicken is not enough eben for us. You better keep this money and thanks for your help. Sadhu got offended and said that this is not the way to traet somebody's help. You keep the money with you, it will help you in your trip and he went away murmering. We were happy that we outsmarted that Sadhu and were proud of ourselves that we were ready for this competetive world. We kept on laughing and patting our backs on the victorious arguement with the Sadhu. Each of us were pointing out at the situations where they contributed in this victory. All was good. We could feel the humidity growing up in the air and it felt like it was going to rain soon.
We reached the room and started making arrangements for our celebration. Started playing music and ofcourse "Venga boys"....we are going to Ibizaa.... La la la la. Damn "we loved that music then". Opened the bottle of whiskey. Made three drinks and cheers.... Bottoms up first drink. Now one thing is to point out here that Me and Aman had few chances earlier in our lives where we consumed Alcohal and we knew our limits. We knew that each of us can easily handle 4 to 5 drinks but for Harry it was very first time and he was more excited. We all three finished our drinks and i started slicing chicken.
What the *uck and we all were looking at each other...... To be continued