Vacation..!

Chapter 1

Thudddddddd…Banngggggg…

And Akash reluctantly came out of the bliss he was relishing from the fresh fruit juice and gentle mountain breeze has been bringing to him.

He looked in the direction of sound. Two big stones, almost size of a grown-up adult, were rolling down towards him.

What? The volcano is supposed to be dead. At least it’s been dead for past 100 yrs. That’s what Harry told.

Wait. Where’s Harry? and Where's Ananya. Did they already know this is coming? How can they leave me alone?

Not sure of what is being transpired he gets up and starts running for his life. People all over going haywire.

Ruckus everywhere.

Couple of strides and a toddler's sound from left draws his attention.

Panting and puffing he approaches the stroller… ‘Holy Moly! Such a cute little girl!' Akash mumbles.

'Where are her parents. Who leaves their child like that.’?

'Saveee'... A man shouted from behind.

As soon Akash turns his head to look the man gets crushed under a big rock. Just few inches away from him with blood spilling everywhere.

That eerie noise and pathetic visual makes Akash crestfallen. He loses his senses. A baby's soft voice brings him back to present.

Taking control of the situation with baby tightly holding to his chest, he is again ready to run and turns around but…

Chapter 2

'Ananya, please hurry up or we are going to miss our planes. I have told you to not wait till last moment to pack your bags.Was it really needed to attend Kitty Party yesterday. You could have spent that time packing instead. And now see…You will never listen to me'

'Akash, will you shut. Help me with packing instead.'

'No. I won’t. This is what you do all the time. Waiting till last day for the packing.'

'For God’s sake, Will you stop? You know there is no point of lecturing the one who is drowning. You should try to save instead.'

They both giggled on that statement. Akash started pushing things in the bag haphazardly.

'You know Akash it’s my dream vacation’, Ananya lost in thoughts exclaimed,’ I had always wanted to fly once to this place before I die.'

'Yes. I know. That’s the reason we've been saving for this vacation since long', Akash zipping the bag said in a matter of fact tone.

'Taxi…. Airport?'

(Announcement: 'Boarding for Flight 202 from Mumbai to Indonesia will take place on Gate 3 instead of Gate 6. Apologies for the inconvenience to all passengers'.)

'What?? Can’t they ever fly without changing gates.'

'Hurry up Ananya. We have to run to the other end.' shouts Akash throwing his half-finished mocha into the dustbin.

Thrusting her book into her backpack Ananya followed.

(InFlight announcement to fasten the seat belts and ready to take off)

'Thank God they are serving scotch too in refreshments. I really need it now.' Akash chuckled.

'You men will never ever change.' Ananya said rolling her eyes.

'What?' Akash mumbled, 'We both already agreed that I can drink on this vacation, Right?'

'Yes. Do whatever you want' Ananya groaned and turned back to her lunch.

'I am going to get some rest now. We need some energy for the adventures planned today evening.

Good Night Ananya' 

'Take your pills',Ananya reminded.

'Yeah. I know. I know.',Akash made face as if he already anticipated the comment.

Chapter 3

‘Welcome to hotel Mr. and Mrs. Sharma! Hope you had great flight!’

'Thank you!' Akash and Ananya both exclaim almost at the same time analyzing the hotel lobby.

Receptionist struggling to make eye contact asks, ‘Should I serve your refreshments in your room or you would like to have them in our garden restaurant? ‘

'Please send them to room. We will take some rest now.' Ananya said without even considering Akash's opinion.

'No Problem Ma'am. Our night activities will begin at 6:00 pm sharp. We will be waiting for you.'

'Sure! We will be on time' Akash remarks with his eyes lit up.

'Have relaxing time Mr. and Mrs. Sharma. There's also a spa on the first floor if you are interested.', Receptionist informs while handing over the room key.

'I don’t want to have anything now Akash.' Throwing herself on the bed Ananya said ‘If you want to have the refreshments then have it. I am going to sleep right away.' 

'Haven’t I told you to get some rest in flight. Must you watch those movies repeatedly in flight which you must have seen 10 times already?', Akash shouts.

'Please don’t you start again Akash and let me sleep for some time.' Ananya shouts back pulling blanket on her face.

'Better you get up on time or we are going to miss the safari today.' Akash says was he walks towards balcony.

'Hello Mr. and Mrs. Sharma. I am Steve. Your safari guide for tonight. I hope you are well rested because this is going to be one thrilling experience and tiring too. So, shall we start?

'Yes, Of course! Who wants to wait to be eaten by Tigers?' Akash comments and all burst into laughter.

All 3 hop into the safari jeep along with the driver.  

'Look. Look there.' After almost an hour's drive and deep into the jungle Steve breaks the silence and whispers, 'See that is a Lion's Family. Look at those Cubs. Aren’t they cute?'

'Yes. They are Lovely.' Ananya almost yells taking her camera out to take some snaps.

'Shh. Speak slowly. We don’t want to disturb them' Steve said.

'Let’s move ahead.' Steve instructed the driver.

'Now we are in little danger zone which belongs to world’s number 2 dangerous species of Tigers' Steve informed as they drove further deep into the jungle.

'Are they maneaters?' Ananya inquired.

'Not really.' Steve answered back.

'They must be woman eaters then!' Akash commented scoffingly and laughed out loud alone.

Ananya stared at him angrily.

'Shhh…Speak slow', Steve warned again.

'They are not really maneaters, but they can attack at times if they sense any danger. It has happened few times in the past.' Steve continued. 

'Should we really be here then.' Ananya checked with Steve.

'Ohh don’t be afraid. I know this area. I have been doing this job for past 8 yrs. now’, Steve boasted, 'And you have come to enjoy this thrilling experience, haven’t you? Let’s just not disturb them.'

'Stop. Stop.’, Steve shouted to driver.

Jeep abruptly halted and Akash almost banged his head on front seat. Ananya managed to continue holding the side handle with little jerk.

'Turn off the lights', Steve instructed to driver.

The Sun had already set, and it had become dark by now. There were some stars tinkling and one could just see for few inches ahead except Steve. His eyes were trained as a Safari Guide.

'There’s an ambush of tigers there. See.' Steve pointed to a distant.

Akash and Ananya both nodded by looking at silhouettes of some animal like figures.

Ananya whispered in Akash’s ear, 'Where are the tigers?'.

'They are right there.' Akash shouted pointing his hand in the same direction Steve has shown.

'Please don’t shout', Steve said again, but it was little late already.

Tigers had already sensed them. Couple of them turned and started moving towards their jeep.

'Be still. They won’t do anything. We are well protected inside.’, Steve barely whispered and became still like a rock.

One of the tigers jumped right on the bonnet of the jeep and started staring inside. The other one came from the right where Ananya was sitting and started sniffing around

All sat still without even winking their eyes. Both tigers sniffed, stared, inspected the Jeep couple of times in circular fashion and just left on their way. Akash and Ananya had never seen such beautiful but dangerous creatures from up so close. Their mouth had dried within seconds and both were breathing heavily and sweating by now. The entire experience took total 5 minutes, but they felt as if 5 hours would have passed.

'Let’s just go back to hotel. We need not see more’, Ananya told Steve. Akash did not speak anything.

'Okay' Steve said. 'Let’s go back'

'What about dinner Sir?' Receptionist enquired back at hotel as Both Akash and Ananya entered the lobby, but they just said No by nodding their head and went straight to their room.

Their minds still lingered at the experience they just have had. 

Chapter 4

Good Morning Akash. Please Get Up. Today is going to be beautiful. We are going to see a Volcano.

You know I have always had this dream since my childhood to see a volcano from up so close. It will be so thrilling.

‘It’s a dead volcano and not live’, Akash said in croaky voice.

'Yes, I know. Still. It is going to be beautiful experience. Afterall it’s world’s one of the largest dead volcanos. Let’s finish our breakfast and be ready. Our pickup might arrive anytime.' Ananya's said everything in one breath excitedly.

'Good Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Sharma. I am Harry. Your guide for today's tour. We are going to see 3 different sights today. First one is Mt. Spooky. Its 300yr old volcano. It was once living thing but has been dead for almost 100 years now. This hotel place is built on a land made from Lava once secreted from Spooky.'  Harry said all in one go as has been his usual job. 

'How old are you Harry,' Akash inquired, trying to make fun of Harry’s information.

'Ohh, I am just 40. I know you must be wondering How do I know all these. My great great grandfather lived here. Mine is 3^rd generation. We know this place very well.' Harry said smilingly.

'Sorry Harry. He has habit of cracking bad jokes', Ananya apologized

'Oh no worries', Harry said. 'Let’s hop in. its 2 hrs. drive there. Let’s chat on the route.'

The roads were bumpy and there was traffic along.

'So many people visiting to see Mt Spooky', Ananya commented to break the silence.

'Yes', Harry said, ‘Its good time of the year to visit Indonesia and especially Mt Spooky. People from all the countries do visit at this time.'

'So here you are. The jeep needs to be parked here only. From here we will have to walk for 30 mins to get the top view of the complete volcano’, Harry said jumping out.

The view from the top was breathtaking. It was mystical experience as the name Mt Spooky suggested. Ananya was totally spellbound and did not speak anything for almost an hour and kept clicking snaps till her heart's content. Afterall her dream was coming true.

'Okay. If you are done, we can rest there for a while before heading back.' Harry Pointed in a direction, 'There are small vendors who serves refreshments'

All 3 of them got their fresh fruit juice and relaxed in the foldable chairs.

Thudddddddd…Banngggggg...

And Akash reluctantly came out of the bliss he was relishing from the fresh fruit juice and gentle mountain breeze has been bringing to him.

He looked in the direction of sound. Two big stones, almost size of a grown-up adult, were rolling down towards him.

What? The volcano is supposed to be dead. At least it’s been dead for past 100 yrs. That’s what Harry told.

Wait. Where’s Harry? and Where's Ananya. Did they already know this is coming? How can they leave me alone?

Not sure of what is being transpired he gets up and starts running for his life. People all over going haywire.

Ruckus everywhere.

Couple of strides and a toddler's sound from left draws his attention.

Panting and puffing he approaches the stroller… ‘Holy Moly! Such a cute little girl!' Akash mumbles.

'Where are her parents. Who leaves their child like that.’?

'Save'... A man shout from behind.

As soon Akash turns his head to look the man gets crushed under a big rock. Just few inches away from with blood spilling everywhere.

That eerie noise and pathetic visual makes Akash crestfallen. He loses his senses. A baby's soft voice brings him back to present.

Taking control of his senses and the situation, with baby tightly holding to his chest, he is again ready to run and turns around, but he could not. All the screaming and shouting around, he just could not run anymore. His legs are just dead. He looks at the little baby. She smiles back at him. The very moment entire world just stands still for Akash. He feels a panic attack brewing within him. He reaches for his bottle of pills, but it was nowhere to be found. Everything around him starts moving in slow motion. ‘There is no escape’, he says to himself.

He closes his eyes standing still as if his entire body has turned into a rock starts crying. Ananya, his parent’s, his entire life starts flashing in his mind’s eye and then...

'Akash….Akash…Akash… wake up now.. what happened. Why are you so sweaty?'

'Are you okay? have you had nightmare again? Had you forgotten your pill last night?'

Please get up. We must get ready and leave on time. Don’t you remember our vacation is starting today. Flight is on time. And my dream of seeing a Volcano is going to come true. Don’t you remember?

After all it’s my ‘Dream Vacation’.