House of stories

  Adventure of Majgad  I spent every vacation in my native place, Raigad. Before the announcement of the lockdown I went there with my family. This was the 1st year in which all my friends were present. Lockdown was announced all over india. Restriction had been put on movement of people. Only essential service was allowed. Sarpanch had given warning to all youngsters. As he knew about naughty youngsters who never take any seriously. We secretly planned to go to Majgad which was 25 Km away from the village. No vehicle, no concrete road. We had to walk. Not exactly walking but climbing mountains.   A local boy (Vikky) was to guide us. There was no other direct way to go. No clear road as we had to go from the forest. From the road, there was a risk of being caught by police. Before the adventure I took all required material from food to safety tools.(biscuit, snacks, chopper, sickle, wooden sticks etc.).  Our journey started at 6 am in the morning. With a small small ...

I got off the bus and entered the village around 3 o'clock. It was very dark. An old man held a lantern in one hand and a knife in the other, looking at me. He spoke to me in a strange voice, "Come, come, I was waiting for you." I was frightened. I wondered if his feet were turned upside down at first. Thank god it was not. No one was around us. Everyone had fallen asleep. The old man had brought me to the village. He seemed calm. He didn't say anything. When I tried to speak to him, he held a lantern close to my face and gave a strange look.. I was frightened by his strange face. So I turned on the radio to dispel the fear. Then that spooky song "Gumnam hai koi" started playing. I turned off the radio immediately. Dogs started barking once we reached the entrance of the village. No one was visible in the village. Perhaps they were sleeping. As I moved, I noticed something. I feel someone is following me from behind. I quickly moved away from there. Then I w...

  1st and last date. Conversation on phone. “I will call you once my final exam is over.”  “Okay” she replied. I cut the call and put all my entire focus on exam preparation.  On the last day of the paper, friends plan to get together at a hanging garden. From Charni road station we walked to the garden which was situated on top of the hill. From there the view of Mumbai was awesome. It gives a bird's eye view. We clicked so many pics and had a lot of fun.  When I saw couples, I remembered someone. I came aside from a group of friends and called her. But she did not pick up my call. I texted her “ My exam is over. Can we meet tomorrow?” “Sorry, but I can't meet you tomorrow.”  “Then when will you be free? I have purchased a gift for you. Please come for the last time. Later I will not force you. Please.” “Okay, on Friday I will be free.  “Thank you, meet me at Churchgate station at 9 o'clock.” “Okay.” I could not sleep properly in excitement. I woke up earl...