Bear- hug by Madhab Kumar Bandyopadhyay (universal ebook reader txt) 📕

the morning , Uncle did not allow his friends the luxury of late- rising. After a cup of tea and a few biscuits each, the group marched towards the bus terminal only to find that all transports to Naturehut were already booked.A vehicle from pre-historic era remained, belching clouds of smoke and vibrating like a tuning fork struck by a hammer. They got into it just in time and though the vehicle was overcrowded they found a few vacant seats. Most of the passengers travelled on the rooftop since goats were allowed only there and the passengers on rooftop, goats included, enjoyed fifty per cent concession in fare.
The journey seemed endless with innumerable unscheduled stops where goats would get down and new consignments lifted to the rooftop, not to speak of the trouble that the driver faced in starting his vehicle after each stop. At last it arrived on the hilltop near a very big lodge at Naturehut.
‘Yes, we can accommodate just seven persons and no more.’ said the receptionist and was about to hand over the keys when a family of four arrived. They were overburdened with their luggage. The father ran to the desk and requested for two rooms. ‘Sorry, all the rooms are booked. These young people are the last ones whom we could accommodate today.’ replied the receptionist. The father went on pleading repeatedly, without accommodation in the lodge what would he do...in this jungle with two children..a room for just one night..and so on. Being moved by repeated pleadings and genuine worries, the receptionist called the manager.
‘Gentlemen, only you can be of any help,’ the manager addressed the group, ‘ladies of your group will not be disturbed. If you agree I can accommodate the four gentlemen of your group in the dormitory. This family can then occupy two rooms. It’s up to you to solve the problem.’
The problem was solved but that left Barun, Sudipto and Arko utterly dissatisfied. They had planned to savor the taste of mahua – a local home made drink brewed from the beautifully scented flowers of mahua tree. This now became impossible in the big hall of the dormitory accommodating a crowd. The girls were also separated from them. ‘What fun does this tour offer? Except that we can sleep in somewhat lower temperature than in the plains.’- Barun summarized his grudge.
However, the boys and girls sat in the open after dinner. They sang together for hours and were in no mood to retire to their rooms. It seemed that they could sit there whole night enjoying the splendid view of the forest in moonlight. They retired only after being gently prodded by the manager.

* *

They

rose late in the true spirit of a carefree vacation. Naturehut is famous for its Sunset point; Sunrise is not much remarkable here. They had their breakfast and went to the weekly market where the locals trade their wares. The girls bought some hand crafted trinkets and the boys went for fresh local fruits and other edibles. Sunset point was quite a distance and they arranged for a jeep suitable for the rough hilly terrain.
While waiting for lunch in the dining hall, Uncle noticed that Arko and Barun were absent. So the group waited for their return and they returned just in time to attend the lunch.
‘Sunset point tour has to be cancelled,’ declared Barun, ‘we have more exciting plan.’ In reply to the impatient queries from the girls Arko gave the details, ‘About two miles from here we reached, passing through dense forest, a spot where the forest is less dense. There stands a beautiful bungalow, big enough to accommodate scores of guests. It belongs to the Forest department and is meant for their officials. The keeper of the bungalow informed us that there is no official visit scheduled for the next few days.’ ‘So what?’ demanded uncle.
‘Simple,’Barun now took over, ‘The keeper of the bungalow who is also the chowkidar

-the watchman- has agreed to allow us in for a consideration

. It will be much cheaper than our present arrangement. Moreover, we shall get fully furnished quarters, not the marketplace of a dormitory.’
They reached the Forest bungalow well before sunset. The consideration

was really cheap but the chowkidar did not issue any receipt for obvious reason. The rooms were very comfortable as well as beautifully furnished. There was a big lounge with leather sofas offering full view of the forest and surrounding hills.
‘How long do we propose to stay here?’ uncle asked the group. ‘Until those two cans are empty.’ Barun said pointing towards two jumbo-sized cans filled with the liquor brewed from mahua.’ ‘That means until we are broke,’ Sudipto roared with laughter. Meanwhile, the chowkidar arranged for tea and some home made snacks spread out on a table in the lounge. The group, excited at their newly earned freedom and comfort, chalked out the plan for spending the evening and the night. Before retiring to their rooms for a brief rest, they took a drink or two of the local beverage.

*

U

ncle rose from deep sleep at the sound of repeated knocks on the door. Outside, darkness was reigning over the forest. He felt embarrassed; others must have been impatiently waiting for him. But he found that it was only the chowkidar waiting outside the door. ‘Sir, there are visitors for you,’ the keeper said. ‘Visitors! Who on earth would know that we are here?’ exclaimed uncle. The loud knocks and uncle’s exclamation aroused others and they assembled before uncle’s room. Together they proceeded to meet the ‘visitors’. There was no trace of them in the lounge. The chowkidar pointed to a group of people outside the gate, ‘They are there.’
They came out and saw seven strongly built persons with black wraps resembling a group of black bears. Six of them were armed with sharp tangis

- long axe-like weapons- while the fifth man had a gun.


‘Yes?’ enquired uncle.The gun-trotting fellow ordered, ‘pack up and follow us.’

‘why?’-Asked Uncle indignantly. ‘Otherwise we’ll chop off your heads,' said the fellow with the gun, 'here and now.’ They looked back to demand an explanation from the chowkidar but he was gone leaving no trace. ‘Quick, we do not have the entire night at our disposal. Pack up.’ said the men menacingly.

All the boys and the girls collected their luggage and assembled in uncle’s room. Ria was the first to raise the question, ‘why do we have to follow their order?’
‘Otherwise, what do you propose to do?’asked Uncle. ‘We can stay put here or perhaps try to escape through the windows.’ -Ria Suggested.