Youthful Adventures

“Happy Birthday Sam!’’ Abhilash, his bestie, screamed over the phone as he was more than excited.

“Hey thanks buddy!’’ chirped Samarth, aka Sam. “Just look out of the window.”

As Abhilash pushed the curtains to see outside, a brand-new red Mercedes was parked and Sam was swirling the keys from the driver’s seat!

‘’By Jove! What a gift!! Only last year you had got that Audi?’’

‘’Oh …she’s grown pretty old now!’’

“Come fast for a drive!’’

“Wait! Let me carry our stuff chum,” winked Abhi as he hurried into his room.

Both Sam and Abhi were childhood friends as both their parents were amongst the who’s who of the city. Owners of immense wealth and possessions, they were exploring and eager to taste newer experiences every day.

“What’s this youth for, if one does not adventure!’’ was their favorite quote.

Abhi came out with a backpack stuffed with snacks, cigarettes and liquor. Both of them set out as they smiled impishly, pressing the accelerator hard.

*************

Pandit Naresh Upadhyay adjusted his dhoti as he entered the Principal’s room.

“Yes Punditji, come in,” said Mr. Shyam Gupta, the Principal.

“I got your letter about the activities. A two-day camping in Dhamera is a good idea. You have been the force behind the library, the football court and indoor games in our school.’’

“Sir, I want the youth to sweat it out. They are a bundle of energy, which they need to channelize in a positive way so that they’re focused and don’t go astray.’’

Punditji was planning to show the boys river rafting, trekking, nature walks and minimalism. He asked the boys to be ready early morning the next day.

“Strict discipline would be followed and anyone flouting the rules will be penalized,’’ Punditji announced.

Punditji’s own son Raghuveer was also part of the camp.

Dhamera was a small town on the banks of the river Ganges at the foothills of the mountains. The boys were overjoyed as a short three-hour bus journey would take them to an exciting experience for lifetime.

The bus halted at the stop. The boys got down one by one. Punditji was the last one to come out.

As they had to go to the other side of the road, Pundit ji asked the boys to fall in a line and be very careful while crossing.

As the disciplined queue of boys crossed, there was a screech, and an over-speeding brand-new red Mercedes hit and ran over Punditji who gasped and breathed his last.

The newspapers screamed the next day, “Do today’s youthful adventures also include killing the innocents?”

Lalita Vaitheeswaran