AneStory

                   That week except for Hera, everyone was tensed, and could not concentrate on the subject at hand, and it was only a week now to papers, crunch time! Taklya rounded of all guys one evening, girls had gone home already, it was a cold evening. And asked: “If all are able to study, if not, then it’s time to go for a small outing”. All agreed.

                  Hera thought for a moment and said, as such no girl will be coming, why dont we go now, as such none of you are able to study at present. We have 3 bikes here, looking at smoky and Taklya need just 1 more. Thats when Teep came in, he had a bike so crew was ready to leave within an hour.

                  Food was, whatever mom had sent for as Pharsan/chiwda etc, was packed into a sack. Three 1.5 liter water bottles were taken, and seating position on bikes was taken. Here Teep says, "But I dont drive that well!" Hence, after much deliberation, Monc was supposed to drive the Teep's bike and Teep sat behind Hera. Taklya and Vin on one and Smoky and Rocky on one. Hence, Monc picked up Rack. So crew was all set and started off.

                  They took off, close to 7:00 in evening, on way tanked up on petrol and started driving, Taklya was driving ahead and all others were following. Where were they going? No one knew except for Taklya, but not near any river/lake, as advised by Hera, that day was cold, night will be cooler. 

                  After driving for about 2 hours, Hera felt they are really going away! That was too early, they were two hours on highway, and at last he asked Taklya. Answer was we are going to this place, which is high on a mountain, and Shivaji Maharaj had born there. Great choice thought Hera. But would not it be colder over there. Still, they continued. 

                  They reached Junnar at around 1:00 - 1:30 in night. Reached up, till where bikes can go at around 2:00 parked their bikes. And, now question was “What to do?” 

                  Taklya: "We can explore the place."

                  Smoky: "We don’t have Torch, and it’s awfully dark here." 

                  Taklya: "What? You people dint bring torch" Lighting his up.

                  Monc: "Did you tell anyone, where we are going!" Taklya did not say anything, did not get a chance.

                  Teep: "Run." Full on scream!

                  But no one does, for all are petrified. Hera, is calm, reads the sign, which made Teep scream.

"Danger! Beware of Panthers."

None of them had anything to say, just stared at Taklya. Who:

               "You people don't have anything to fear, I will be first to be attacked, I am fattest among all." 

On that note, everyone decided to sleep in the veranda of the Temple which was there little ahead. Made a make shift bed of shawls, luckily they had packed extra. And went to sleep. Teep had picked up a nice long stick, to which even local dog was not afraid off, forget Panther, but that was the intention.

               That was the shortest night of Hera, he was up, and everyone else, were up at 4:30, with 1st sign of sun-rays. It was beautiful scene, seeing sun rise. They went on exploring, a bit of trekking, and lot of fun, and some learning. Hera felt like eating, but he was told its not allowed over here, but then they had not brought any either. Hera defensively:” not here, when we get down then, on a dhaba.”  

               After staying till about 11:00, they moved on to have a look at Lenyadri and Ozharkar - 2 of the Ashtavinayak's and before night were back at home making a round trip of about 500 Kms on bike, and all worry gone, refreshed, they were back to studying ways. That night they did have Chicken Tandoori, so much for visiting Temples.