Chapter 4 THE CATASTROPHE

                          4. THE CATASTROPHE     

The wrists watch on the left hand of Amar shows 9.40 A.M. They will be at the elephant reserve by 9.55 A.M.  Sameer slowed down the vehicle because he did not want to disturb any elephant that is ready for mating. Elephants that are in and close to the mating stage are dangerous. They behave aggressively in this stage.

All of a sudden a small bird with wide wings started to move over the top of their jeep sitting on the bonnet occasionally. It started screeching .It also started to press itself against the glass. Sameer turned on the wipers to avoid this behavior. After 2-3 minutes of valiant effort the bird stopped doing so and it flew away  

“What is it Sameer? Why is it behaving like this?” asked Sameera

“It is called Marelu chidya in these parts. It is commonly heard everywhere. But it is seen in rare. It is called bird of death. Whenever it screeches over your head it is believed that the person is soon going to meet death according to the legends of these forests”

“Oh my God!! It screeched over us now. Then does it mean……..” stopped Raja.

“Do not mind that much Raja. It screeched over me several times and I am very much alive till now as you can see.” Said Sameer

“There you see the elephant reserve we have reached it. It is the most isolated place in the forest … I mean you can see elephants here but not a trace of human. The forest guard visits here every fortnight to ensure no poaching and the count of elephants. It is hard to get back home unless you have an expert like me” said Sameer.

“There you see the guards tilt. This is where he keeps his things while moving around the reserve. I had seven passes of permission from him so that we could move around the woods.” Completed Sameer

All of them moved towards the tilt. They were late by five minutes because of the bird. Nethrika was still pondering on the points told by Sameer in the jeep few minutes ago. She was worried a bit. She could not stop herself from asking Sameer “What is name of that bird?”

“Marelu Chidya meaning death bird” replied Sameer

“Do not worry about the bird. It is of no harm.” Added Sameer

“Why did the bird behave so?” asked she

“It is quite strange for me too. I was not able to study the bird much because it is rarely seen. Very soon I will study them and will try to find out the reason. It is not good for a science student to believe in such myths.”

The conversation ended up there. But they did not know that Nethrika feared right. Sameer has ignored a warning. He does not know that

They did settle their belongings in their tilt. It was 12 noon. Sameer asked them to rest a bit as it would be unfair to ask them to walk under the mid day sun. They had lunch brought from the camp. They had relished lunch. Each had a word to praise the old lady.

All of them slept in a corner of the Tilt. All of a sudden Nethrika heard few sounds. She woke up and saw around. Sameer started hiccups .He is twisting around. He is giving high gasps. He is jumping from the floor.

Nethrika could not believe her eyes. She had woken up everyone. Everyone tried their level best to stop him from such thing. White foam started rolling down his neck from the mouth. It was a horrible scene for all six of them. They have run to fetch the water. They gave him a glass of it. No use. Instead he vomited the same. The volume of the foam started to increase. He was twisting even high. They had nothing to do except to watch him reach death. Nethrika started to sober high. It was his last minute. All six had a shocking experience in their first safari. It was more a misery than a shock. They have lost their thick friend.

The corpse lay on the floor of the tilt with a smile on its face. It was his last wish to die in a forest and on a trip to the reserve. He had a triumphant death smile but no one else had. Everyone had tears in their eyes. Their hearts were thumping fast .It was a heavy heart for them. They felt their hearts being crushed.

They paid last respects to their friend. Most brave of all. Forest is so cruel. She is so found of him that she wanted to bury him deep into her womb. They have buried him under the red sands of their holiday spot.

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

It was 8 in the night. Everyone was thinking of him. They started seven and are six now. It was a catastrophe for them. Everyone’s mind had the same questions

Marelu chidya? Does it really indicate death?

It flew over every ones head. Does it mean all six are going to die?

They could not calm themselves down.

Even bigger catastrophe they have now is how to get out of this reserve? None in the reserve knows the way out of it unless he is a expert.

All they have to do is to wait for fortnight to complete for the forest guard to visit them .But will the forest allow them to live?

Are they lost?

They heard a screech long away

Time answers everything

chapter 3 THE SAFARI

                                 3. THE SAFARI

It was about 6 in the morning. The morning sun light started disturbing Sameera. She could not sleep any more. She tried to cover herself with the blanket.  It was not working. She then decided to step out of the bed. Everyone around were still sleeping. But one camp bed was empty. She could easily guess whose bed it was. Sameer had kept his habit upright. He would wake up every morning at the stroke of 4not a second less, not a second more.

She went in search of him. There was no sign of him in any of the rooms. She searched for him in his study, the kitchen and the Backyard. All of a sudden she could hear the jeep. She hurried to the front door and opened it.

“So, where have you been this early?” she enquired Sameer

“To the small service center near the highway to make the jeep’s tank full” said Sameer

“This early” She did not complete her question

“It is a 24 hour one” he answered as if he had understood what she was going to ask.

“We are going to Safari this morning so I felt that it would be better to do so” he completed and hurried into the study

She smiled at the fact that he has not changed his secrecy. But he always plans for everything.

There was knock on the door at about 7 in the morning

Sameer has opened the door

It was the cook. They had some conversation and she rushed into the kitchen.

Everyone was ready by 9. Nethrika went into the kitchen to fetch the coffee for everyone. The old lady was setting the coffee into the cups. She went there to help her

“So, is it ok now?” asked the old lady

“What?  ” enquired Nethrika

“The panic you faced due to the porcupine last night” said the lady

“Yes. But how did you know that?” asked Nethrika

“It is quite likely young lady. The porcupine quills at the chola(stove) suggest  there has been a porcupine here yesterday and in the group from your face it is evident that you are the only one who possibly knew how to cook.”

Elementary my dear Watson was the only thing that missed from her words. Otherwise she could have sounded absolutely like Sherlock Holmes.

She was completely elated by the compliment of the lady. She distributed the cups around and went into the study of Sameer.

As she entered the room Sameer “The Old woman might have surprised you little sister. She has a lot of reason.”

“How did you know that?” asked Nethrika

“There is not much reason in this. Your face indicates surprise and you are walking from the kitchen, the coffee cups suggest me as no one in the group is that.. you know what I meant. I knew the lady is of great wisdom so I guessed “

“Nice, what is that you are studying now?” she asked

“It is Evolution of Indian Dhole”

“What is Dhole?”

“A Dhole is an Indian wild dog. Endangered and enumerated less than 1000 all over India. I was trying to get an idea which external influence if removed will increase its population.”

“Okay. But if you could finish that coffee we will be all ready for the safari you promised.” Said Nethrika

He started sipping his coffee. Thanuj came in meanwhile with a frown and asked “Do we have general cats around this place?”

“Not often why did you ask so?” enquired Sameer

“I have seen one at the jeep”

Sameer ran out with a camera in the hand and took two to three shots of it

“Thanuj it is a cat. Your right only up to that fact. It is a wild cat and it is called clouded leopard. This one you saw is just an infant sleeping and for now let us walk away as the mother might be nearby”

After they moved a safe distance, Sameer said “Clouded leopards are not usually found in these types of forests. These are usually found in Himalayan region. I am a bit surprised”

“Enough surprise let us start” said Raja

“Okay all of you get in” said Sameer as he seated at the steering

Seven of them seated themselves comfortably. The jeep started to move in swift.

“Where are we going now?” asked Khader

“To the Elephant Reserve” replied Sameer

“How far is it?” asked Roopesh

“It takes 50 min from now” replied Sameer

The jeep took a jolt and no one asked questions for the next 20 minutes

The jeep took a halt.

“Is it the reserve but its only 20 min from when we started?” asked Sameera

“It is not the reverse but have a look at the endangered Black buck with its mates. The one with horns is male and other without is female. The male attracts the mate with its horns” said Sameer

“Why does not the female have horns?” asked Amar

“Well it is evolutionary. The male buck is entrusted the duty of protecting the baby bucks and the lady buck from the other male bucks, hence the male bucks have evolved horns to be handy in the wrestling whilst the lady serves the purpose of increasing the population of its kind and rearing them. Hence a lady buck agrees to mate only if and only if it gets convinced of the male’s ability which is decided based on horns.” Said Sameer

“If you accept to learn from nature you will understand its principle. Evolve and Survive.” Completed Sameer

The jeep started to move

All the seven were moving happily unaware of the danger that beheads them

What is the danger?

How will they evolve?

How will they survive?

Chapter 2 THE SUPPER SURPRISE

2. THE SUPPER SURPRISE

It is around 6.30 now. Every one settled themselves well in that wooden cottage. Sameer removed those logs around. The store room is completely clean. Raja helped few buckets of water for the girls. All of them were fresh after bath.

“I never knew an evening bath would be this refreshing “said Thanuj

“Will the cook come to night? I am feeling hungry” reported Khader

“I am afraid that she may not, if she turns up she would normally do it by 6. We will wait for another 10-15 minutes. If she does not then we will have to do it for ourselves. I am afraid about the supplies too.” Said Sameer

“Hope she turns up” Nethrika and Sameera sounded in unison

“Let me check the supplies mean while” said Sameer

“Light the Lanterns around Amar with the match sticks that lie on the table next to you” was the call as he left to cooking place

All the lanterns were lit. It was still partially gloomy. Moon is playing hide and seek in the night sky.

“There are supplies guys but not certainly enough for everyone. I reckon that I have to fish now. Anybody is coming with me?” enquired Sameer

All shot their hands up. Everyone was equally eager

“I want you to accompany me Khader. Rest please rest here. Please be watchful whilst I am not here. Any problem one of the boys get to the river nearby as fast as possible, you will find me there.” Instructed Sameer

Everyone agreed upon. Both of them went out with bamboo sticks in their hands. They have a lantern with them too.

“How do we fish with Bamboo?” inquired Khader

“It is quite simple Khader. We have a Lantern. Cat fish are heavily found in fresh waters like this, they are small in this part of the world, and most of them are nocturnal in nature. They are attracted by light and approach us. We will split the bamboo mouth into six parts using this pocket knife, spread them apart and sharp their edges. As soon as the fish near us we will pierce the sharper side of bamboo into them. If we are lucky we might catch 10-15. It will serve our purpose to night.” Explained Sameer

“That absolutely sounds like rock age hunting” said Khader

           “You are absolutely correct; it is an old technique, but you will have to be very careful and alert as they are only around 12-15c.m, small enough to escape in this light. It needs a lot of experience. I will use the bamboo and you will show up the light. Is it alright?” said Sameer

            “Ready for it” replied Khader

            They did fish for about 30-45 minutes. It did not work much. They have caught only 8. They have decided to spend another 10-15 minutes there

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

            Every one at the camp is really feeling hungry. It is around 8.30 in the night.

            “Let us start cooking rice at least before they arrive. We will save time so that we can cook fish then “said Nethrika

            “Yes at least I will stop feeling hungry if I am involved in something “said Raja

            Cat fish is not the only nocturnal being in the forest. The guests are not aware of this fact.

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

            Sameer and Khader are walking back. They have caught 12 of them. It is not a good number for an expert like Sameer but a fair job for a new guy.

Both of them are back at the cottage .It is 9. All of them are hungry. Rice was already done. It is getting cold too. Sameer showed into the kitchen where Nethrika is cooking. The Lantern is hanging to the center pole. Half the room was still dark.

“You should have put the lantern by your side” advised Sameer

“It is adding to the heat of cooking flame” replied Nethrika

“Still you cannot work in dark here” said Sameer and took the lantern near her

 It is a traditional stove where the cooking flame is produced by dry sticks.  It is in one corner of the room under a small chimney to let the smoke out.

As he moved close Sameer told in cold voice “Nethrika please move out of that place, as normal as possible:”

“Why?”

“Do as I say” said Sameer in stern voice

She smelled something wrong and just moved

Sameer took her hand in fast and pulled her along

Plttt…taap ……. All the steel utensils sounded high

Everyone came into that room

Sameer showed light into that corner.

It is a porcupine.

Nethrika yelled loudly when she was some 10 foot away from that creature where she happily cooked food when it is few centimeters away

It left the place through the back door from where it might have come from. It was a horrifying scene for the other six but was quite common for their host

“Lucky, porcupines cannot aim their shoot, they do not even shoot but leave their quills out and are harmful in short range” said Sameer

No one was interested in what he said but was worried what else would come in here in the night

They had supper with catfish. Everyone’s thoughts were filled with respect to that old lady who cooks every night

The moon has stopped playing hide and seeks. It is a clear sky and is a nice scene to look at.  The Camp beds were made ready. All the six lanterns are shown into the same room where they are hung. 

None of the six might have thought that they could sleep comfortably in presence of light and wish for some more of it

Chapter 1 THEY HAVE COME

                                                1. THEY HAVE COME

After a long wait at the bus stop they turned up. It was Sameer in khaki top to bottom. They were in the 12’0 clock bus. The bus station was highly vacant and wind blew across the area. It made them feel great. It’s not a friendly place to live in. But Sameer had always wished to be a Survivalist working on Bio-Amplification. It took certain time in the beginning. Ten years of work in a top IT firm settled the deposit for the work. Who wants to marry a man who likes to roam around the forests? “How are you bro?” was the call in the air. It waked the doze of him. It was all seven calling at once made the sound high.

“Fine Man” was the answer

It was long time they met since they were out of the college. It was a glance at each for him. But he could clearly get a picture of them.  They were as keen as in their in grad days. “Now where do we go?” was the call from the fun loving guy Pavan Thanuj. Sameer pointed to a Jeep with the color of green moss and said “to my camp”.

All seven were seated in comfort with a slight adjustment

“How far is it from here?” inquired Amar

“Two miles straight and three from there to the north” Was the answer

“How long will it take?” This time the question was from Khader

“5 hours if the vehicle does not ask for any repair”

“How does the camp look like?” asked Nethrika

“It is built with wood, Nice teak wood “

“It has 4 rooms and a store room”

“No bath room?” squealed Roopesh

“Yeah, the store room would do well for girls if all those dry sticks are emptied from there.  I think guys should bath outdoors”

“Can I get hot water there?” asked the meek Raja

“Yes you can. But you have to help yourself for a bucket of water from the nearby river”

“Do you cook for yourself?” asked Sameera

“Very rarely. My old native lady cook does it mostly unless she has a client who is bitten by a snake or Scorpion. She treats them using local leaves of which she is expert of and those old charms occasionally.”

“Old charms?” asked Khader

“The natives believe that these traditional charms have healing powers”

“Interesting “said Khader

The jeep took a turn; all seven moved slightly the other way

Another three hours filled with similar kind of chit chat they were slightly away from the camp

“Happy Holiday to all the guys and girls” wished Sameer

“Heavenly place with no disturbance nearby “yelled Thanuj

“Heavenly bushes and shrubs; I like them” said Nethrika

“Only until you meet a Cobra or Scorpion hidden in those I suppose,” said Sameer

“Beware of those even when you are in the camp.”

“I smell trouble “said Roopesh

“I smell adventure” Said Amar

“I smell we should get down” said Khader

“Can you help me with this bag Sameer?” asked Sameera

“Sure after I helped my Sisters’” he said in reply and took the bag from Nethrika

Though they were not bonded by birth, Sameer is fond of calling her so and the other liked it too

They have put their baggage in; Raja and Roopesh went to the river to fetch some water, Sameera laid down, Thanuj unpacking his belongings, Amar and Khader were busy in some argument and Nethrika went exploring around the rooms. Sameer was busy moving those dry sticks out in the dim light of 6’O clock sun supported by a lantern

“It’s great to see the photo of Sherlock Holmes on the desk next to your work.” Said Nethrika to Sameer

Sameer answered with a wide spread smile on his face in return

“Ohooo, here is a visitor” said Sameer

“Who is that?” inquired Nethrika

“It is the rat eater, Indian Rat Snake. Don’t worry.”

“Can you fetch me the snake holding stick that lies in my working room?”

“In seconds” said Nethrika

She returned in a jiffy

“Is it venomous?”

“No, But its bite might be infectious if not treated properly”

“Okay, now what are doing with it?”

“Just observe it for a few seconds and then leave it”

“Can you get me the tape that lies on the same table you have seen?”

“Of course”

By the time she returned Sameer caught hold of it along the ground with its mouth under the clips of the holder

“Please hold this stick as tight as possible while I take some measurements”

“Sure”

She held the stick and handed over the tape

“It’s one and half foot in length a new born I suppose.”

“Now give me the stick”

He took the snake a fair distance and let it go

Nethrika said “I have got one question you as far as I know are fascinated in two matters Detection and wild life protection. If you were given both the jobs and asked to choose one which does you choose?”

“Wild life protection as straight and simple as that”

“Why is it not detection?”

“There are many detectives on the earth who are concerned with that field who can draw better inferences than me. Not that there are not many in this field of wild life protection it gives me satisfaction. Sometimes I feel I am born for this but yes I do love giving the other a hand too if the situation demands”

“Bless you so.”

“Accepted and thank you”