AneStory

                         It was quite journey hence forth, Hera drove slowly and staying back of the pack, sulking as he was. He secretly wished somehow he would get one of the girls to occupy his bike's back seat, or at least get one of the tourist girls to share the ride. And this thought lasted till they reached Mahabaleshwar. Hera missed seeing any part of the Panchgani, just rode absent minded through the streets, following the bike in front, and hence was surprised when they reached the town centre.

                          Bikes were parked in perfect way, except for Hera’s; it was parked in opposite direction, in reverse. He did not even enter the hotel with all others. Just looked at all, and walked off to the market. Watched around, seeking people, rather girls to be friends with. But thanks to off season, there were none.

                          Hera came back to hotel and found that all were cramped into 2 rooms, 7 guys and 6 girls, 2 beds with capacity for 4 in each room! It was not going to be easy, and hence no one wanted to sleep. It was already evening, and market seemed to have come alive. After making about 30 shopkeepers salivate at prospective buyers, none of the girls bought anything! While Hera, who was neglected by shopkeepers too, finally got one person (a shopkeeper) who paid attention to him, and hence ended up buying one embroidered handmade purse, and a jumping spring. That night Hera wondered why he made the second purchase, while all others wondered about first.

                          It was decided, there will be a game of antakshari, and it started. Hera was bit dreamy. He was missing someone. Not for first time in his life, and not for the last time. It was Monsoon (The Junior girl who used to smile to Hera.), whom Hera was missing now, and that purse was for her.

                           In round of Antakshari, it was Hera's turn and he had got 'K' to sing with, and he chose

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein

 khayaal aata hai Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein

khayaal aata hai

Ki jaise tujhko

banaya gaya hai mere liye Ki jaise tujhko

(First two lines are easiest.)

banaya gaya hai mere liye

 Tu aajse pehle

(Small mistake)

sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin Tu aajse pehle

 sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin Tujhe zameen pe tarasha

 gaya hai mere liye Tujhe zameen pe tarasha

 gaya hai mere liye

(Bigger mistake)

Jisne bhi tarasha hai

bada khub kiya hai karishma

mere nazroein ke liye

Jisne bhi tarasha hai

bada khub kiya hai karishma

mere nazroein ke liye

(No more mistakes, new song)

Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein

khayal aata hai

Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein

khayal aata hai

(by now, everyone was laughing and Hera knew, he had done it again)

Jisne bhi tarasha hain tujhe

badi concentration se tarasha hain

mere liye

Jisne bhi tarasha hain tujhe

badi concentration se tarasha hain

mere liye

Galti se bhi, bina mistak ke

tarasha hain tujhe

badi concentration se

 tarasha hain tujhe

(Original song lyrics:

http://www.hindilyrix.com/songs/get_song_Kabhi%20kabhi%20mere%20dil%20mein%20khayaal%20aata%20hai.html )

                        At this point, people who wanted to play antakshari, seriously excused Hera, and he was 1st to go to sleep. Others continued to play, until Monk realised, that if they continue any more, tomorrow’s sunrise point might not be sunrise point. Hence Good Night!

As they took off, Hera watched everyone ride away, and realised he was going to ride alone. Was in two moods, to go and sleep again or to go and ride alone. He chose the second option, for he considered his chances of getting a girl on tourist spot.

Hera tried to drive along side, have small chat, but 50 hours into drive and he was totally fed up of shouting, and his throat had started to sound croak, not to mention pollution and dust from trucks as they passed on highway.

As time passed, not much just over an hour, Hera started to feel bored of cruising along the road alone, cruising was not at all his style. Suddenly Hera dropped gears, 4...3.......bike protesting in its own defence............2...........cause he did not slow down...................1 and then twisted the accelerated and just took off too fast, changing gears again 2................3........................4, and he was well ahead, in race mode.

Fast, fast, faster, fastest, after going ahead for about 30 minutes at a speed of 100+ kilometres per hour on a Boxer, he decided to stop and enjoy some tea and wash off all the smoke from his mouth. After seating for fifteen minutes Taklya caught up and started shouting with full force, with full mix of the abuses. Hera was really amused at the odd behaviour. But kept his cool, once Taklya cooled down, Hera offered some water and asked what happened.

Taklya just looked at him, and said calmly

"Do you know at what speed were you driving, where are you now and it was difficult to catch up with you on CBZ?"

Hera answered

"Hmmmm.......... I was driving at 100+Km/hr, I am at satrangi dhaba on way to Mahabaleshwar and you would have never caught up unless I had stopped. "

Taklya, with rising difficulty in keeping calm

"Yes, you were driving very fast, and it's illegal to do so, yes, you are at Satrangi Dhaba but not on way to Mahabaleshwar, rather Satara, you missed the turn, and yes we would have given up chasing you after 5 more minutes. So shut up and get back on bike and do not drive off like an idiot, for god’s sake."

Something told Hera, this was going to be a long journey and not an easy one to complete without few more upsets. Got on the bike, drove back about 30 KM's, where everyone was looking angrily at him, for he had made them wait. Since then he drove slowly, and remained back of the pack, sulking.

The wait was almost over, Republic day would be day to go, all bikes were ready 7 of them, money was ready and so were all the 13 people, yes one boy would have to travel alone, that was one thing not decided. But college was not ready, just before the last lecture would end, came the announcement,

"People who do not attend tomorrows republic day celebrations, shall face fine of INR 1000."

There went the plans, thought Hera, and as they all gathered in garden, Hera's mood was most dashed, but others were quite ready for it, this only meant they would start about 6 hours late. Hera understood the plan and was quite okay with it. He also had considered 2 hours delay due to some or other reason, which was not going to take place now, because everyone was supposed to meet at Hera's place, keep all bags there attain college and go off.

Next day, all had to stand in ground, salute the flag, listen to speeches, and clap. And it rained. In 5 minutes everyone was wet. Hence, now dress change was mandatory now, but it was decided upon before hand, none were ready to go in uniform. So as soon as the function was over, which got over little earlier than planned, due to wet weather. Hera felt god is helping him and his friends. And it was rush to room.

And before Hera could go up and change, he hated being wet, he was stopped in his strides and soon his room changed into girls changing room, all boys were locked out. And all they could hear was cacophony for next one hour, and wait outside.

At first Hera was angry about not being allowed to change, however, after a while, as his anger cooled down; he remembered all the stuff he and his roommates had left on bed! And "DISASTER" is what he could say. All boys just looked at him in disbelief, surprised.

Hera:"Monc, you were the last one to come out with me, what do you remember was on the bed?"

Monc:"Holly Shit!"

Rack:"Dint you guys keep your clothes well? Have you left your undies on top?"

Monc:"Those would have been al-right, remember your special book, do you, the one's which we were telling you to always keep them in hiding place and never write your names on?"

Rack:"Oh! My! God!"

Hera:"Even those playboy magazines are okay!"

Rack:"They are okay? What can be worse than that? My reputation is ruined."

Hera:"What were you doing Crack, today morning, you and Teep and Taklya?"

Taklya:"Trip cancelled! They would never come with us! Those nude pictures are on your bed Crack! We have put our names on the ones we like, and they are spread there all over."

And the door opened, and as Duds came out, Vee followed her quickly and pressed her mouth shut, as she saw Rack and Crack and was about to laugh. All Girls came out giggling and as the boys made a quick exit, cursed each other and the idea of using Hera's room as base, of all the available options.

Once inside they were surprised to see how clean was room, all the objectionable things were stacked up and put under the bed, away from direct view, boys got their act together, changed into trip clothes. Took the bags down and Monc asked Pee about the stuff, discreetly. And she just said "It’s okay! We better hurry up and get going."

Hera, just came down with last of the bags and a heavy one at it, and very open heartedly and loudly thanked all girls for cleaning up the room! And there were quite a few embarrassed faces, resultant, it was decided, with every one taking up place on a bike. Hera would be one travelling alone.

The movie did go well, and Girls did pay, so that trip to Mahabaleshwar was again on cards, but before that it was fine week. Every 1st week had to be fine week, so as to get student in the class. And they did.

In this one week, Hera was suffering burnout, sort off, had to much study and to little vacation, was already transported to Mahabaleshwar and that's what he talked about with every friend. Day and night went in dreams of Mahabaleshwar, had seen some pictures on internet, strawberries and hills flashed through the brain. Was perplexed because he was able to see colours, well strawberry was red and ground was green, and horse was brown and white, as was in the pictures, this is what he argued with Duds, who said you are filling in colours as you saw he pictures. And it continued.

As the week passed, studies were picking up speed and hence pupil started getting assignments and hence weekly submissions started. Hera submitted it in time, barely in time this time. And was happy, his reputation was not damaged, barely missed this time. And Madam called.

As he entered

Madam:"What were you thinking when you did this assignment?"

Hera:"Nothing, just about assignment."

Madam:"Then why does Mahabaleshwar appear in your write up 3 times?"

Hera:"A..a..a Sorrrry Mam!"

Madam:"I am letting you of the hook this time, but redo this page and next time you will lose marks, so better do your work with full concentration."

Hera:"Thank you mam, Yes mam, sorry mam, it will not happen mam!"

When others heard about this conversation it was decided, as soon as we get some Holiday, well at least 2 days were required, and Saturday was no more a holiday. And submissions were going to start in full swing. And that opportunity was about 2 weeks away. So it was decided, Hera's assignment would be proof read by any one from the group and that’s what was done.

Duds one day got the opportunity to do so, and reading the assignment she did not understand anything, started shouting at Hera and soon there were few onlookers. Some boys were even ready to thrash Hera, to help the poor girl who was shouting at top of her voice. The only problem was, she was shouting at anyone who tried to help her too! This stopped when a girl came forward from Hera's division, whom Duds knew well. She went through right up and said, there is nothing wrong in it.

Duds:"But it does not make any sense."

She:"Because it’s a computer program, it’s not the same language."

Duds:"Oh! Is it right? Are there any mentions of Mahabaleshwar or vacation or trip in it?"

She: (surprised)"No! Nothing like that, are you okay? Why should those words be in it?"

Duds:"Actually they should not be, just checking."

Hera: (Speaking after a long time)"You are beautiful! What is your name?"

Duds is visibly embarrassed, and she was blushed and embarrassed.

She:"My name is Sara, and I am engaged."

Hera; coming to his senses.

Hera:"Well you are, congratulations, but more importantly, you just saved me! Thank You!"

Sara turned out to be Wari's sister, and soon jelled into rest of the group, and whole situation was explained to her and others. In end everyone had a good laugh. Now it was decided, that Hera's assignment would be proof read by one person, the one who is well equipped to do so-Sara. The situation remained well in control till, trip day.