Growing up in the Mountains -1

Run faster!, cried Sanjog looking back as he ran across the narrow path between the tiny houses. Trailing behind Sanjog was Amit, his face aghast with fear. 

He didn't dare to look back nor did he care to look forward. He just followed Sanjog. A string of thoughts passed through Amit's head. What have I done!, What will my mother think when she hears about it?, How will I face the wrath of my father when I will come face to face with him!. All these thoughts tormented him while he tried to catch up with Sanjog. But he failed to notice the puddle on his path. He lost his balance on stepping on it and fell flat on his stomach. 

Amit went blank for a moment. The next thing he remembered was Sanjog helping him up. Amit started to dust off his sweater while Sanjog peeped behind towards the path they had just come from.

I think they're gone now. There's no need to run. said Sanjog. Both boys were panting. Sanjog's face did not show much of any expression but Amit was still in a state of shock and terror and to top it all his slip on the way made his face a sight to see.

Realizing that they were not being chased anymore both of them sat on a huge log that lay along the path. While running the boys had not realized that they had crossed their village and were in the middle of the forest that was situated between their village and the town. 

Both sat silent for some time. Amit was still thinking of the consequences of his actions. He did warn Sanjog and tried to convince him against the idea but without any success. Suddenly the silence was broken.

Suddenly the silence was broken. by a loud burst of laughter.

Look at your face., said Sanjog as he laughed heartily.

For him, it was not a big deal. Moreover, he didn't care much. 

Don't laugh! I told you it's not a good idea. You should have listened to me then. said Amit as he tried to peel off the thin layer of skin from his elbow and palm which had come off when his hand made an impact with the ground.

Still trying to catch his breath, Sanjog tried to console Amit. Don't worry Amit. Everything will be fine. 

No, it won't! It's always a joke for you. You never listen to me. How will I go home now? cried Amit. 

TWO HOURS AGO...

If you're not back by 4 pm then God save you! warned Bishnu as she took out a woolen sweater she had carefully folded and arranged in the cupboard. 

And if I find mud inside your pant pockets again, then I'll make you wash it yourself. That too with cold water.

Just the thought of cold water in that weather terrified Amit. He quickly put on his sweater, tied his shoelace and vanished from his mother's sight.

The school was off for the winter break. The sun was nowhere to be seen and the sky was cloudy. 

For Amit, his daily routine was more or less the same. Wake up in the morning to the sound of his mother's shrill voice from the kitchen. Even though it was very cold, especially in the morning, for Amit the repetitive wake-up cry of his mother was far more torturous than getting out of his warm quilt. Every day he unwillingly got out of his bed, freshened up and headed to the kitchen where tea would be ready for him. During winter it was usually brunch just before noon. 

After that, he'd go to his best friend Sanjog's house and spend the rest of the day there till he heard the cry of his mother calling him home.

Sanjog's house was just a few houses away from Amit's. Their village was situated on a hillside overlooking the Kanchenjunga, about twenty minutes walk from Darjeeling town. Amit made his way through the stairs that led to Sanjog's house.

Sanjog! shouted Amit when he reached Sanjog's house.

Come in. came the reply. 

No, I need to open my shoe again. You come outside, let's go to the ground. The badminton tournament is starting today. Did you forget?

No. I remember. Wait for two minutes, I'll quickly gobble my food and come out. shouted Sanjog from inside.

After 5 minutes Sanjog was out. He quickly wore his shoe, put on his jacket locked the main door and put the key in the tiny gap on the wall beside the door.

Both made their way towards the village ground. After a short walk away from their homes they reached the ground.

It was the first day of the annual badminton tournament. Loudspeakers were already tied to the top of pine trees and it was blasting old songs. The ground was ready. The women from the nearby houses had opened few tea and snack stalls just nearby as the spectators were there in plenty. The two boys sat on a chair they found on the corner, only to be asked to vacate as it was meant for the chief guest. So they sat on the low concrete parapet that surrounded the ground. 

The players came, the songs stopped and with a loud whistle of the referee the match started. People started cheering for their players and the atmosphere suddenly came to life.

Just before half time, Sanjog poked Amit. I need to pee.

Let's go there behind the bamboo grove.

Amit did not want to miss the match but Sanjog insisted so the two quickly made their way to the grove.

Once they were away from the crowd and out of everyone's sight, Sanjog stopped. He took his hand inside his pocket and took out two sticks of cigarettes. 

Giving one to Amit he said, Take, I have stolen it from my father's packet. Let us try as our fathers do.

I just hope my father does not find out. he giggled. 

Amit looked at Sanjog in confusion. He did not know how to react. He had never smoked a cigarette before nor had Sanjog. This was totally unexpected.

No, I can't. My mother will kill me if she finds out., said Amit.

Come on, no one will come to know. Anyways everyone is busy watching the match.

Still, if anyone happens to find out then have you thought what will we tell our parents.

Don't behave like a girl. Almost all of my classmates smoke, they've told me themselves. Let us try once, then we'll never do it again. Sanjog tried to convince Amit.

After further convincing Amit could not resist the temptation to try it. 

With a grin on his face, Sanjog took out a matchbox from his pocket. 

Let me try first. Sanjog put the cigarette between his lips. He lighted the match stick and lit the cigarette. He waited till the match stick burnt out. Then he remembered how one of his classmates had taught him to drag the smoke in slowly after lighting the cigarette. He tried to do the same while Amit stood there observing attentively.

A small puff of smoke went straight to his lungs and he started coughing for a while. After some time he took another drag and this time he did it carefully, looked towards the sky and exhaled the smoke. He indicated Amit to light up his stick and passed the matchbox to him. 

With trembling hands, Amit lit up his cigarette and took a drag. He was no better. As the smoke made its way into the little boy's lungs, he started coughing. The coughing didn't stop and as Amit tried to catch his breath, Sanjog took one drag after another with an occasional smirk on his face. Just as Amit was about to take his second drag he saw a boy coming towards them out of nowhere. He quickly threw his stick and whispered. Throw the cigarette. Your brother's friend is coming. By the time Sanjog turned back, Rajiv slapped him on his head and caught hold of his jacket. 

So, what are you guys doing here, huh!, said Rajiv.

Sanjog threw the cigarette away.

Oh God!, you boys were smoking here. Do you even know what your age is?.

By this time Amit was already pale and trembling.

Still holding Sanjog by his jacket, Rajiv turned back and called out for his friend,

Oie maila eta aija ta. Yo bachha haru le birri tandai raicha. (Hey! come here, These kids are smoking here)

Tell me where did you get the cigarette? Did you steal it from my sister's stall there in the ground?, said Rajiv slapping Sanjog.

Mero bau Ko cigarette ho tero chorey Ko haina.(It's my father's cigarette, not stolen from you)

K harey! (What did you say?) shouted Rajiv and slapped Sanjog again.

Hot-headed that Sanjog was, he freed himself from Rajiv's hold, bent down picked up a handful of mud threw it on Rajiv's face and shouted, Bhag Amit!(Run Amit)

Both the boys started running like they were being chased by wild dogs. Both did not dare look back. They ran away from the grove and towards the village.

Run faster!, cried Sanjog looking back as the two boys ran across the narrow path between the tiny houses. Trailing behind Sanjog was Amit, his face aghast with fear.