The golden years

This is a beautiful story of five friends who are in their 60's and have retired from their jobs after successfully completing their assignments and reaching their set mile stone.After a hectic life style and work in hand retirement may seem a time to relax and enjoy the time available in hand.People can pursue their hobbies like painting, singing, dancing,cooking and last but not at all the least 'travelling'.                                                 Here is one such story of five 'old' I don't mean age but long time friends who retired almost at the same time and have come together credit face book and whatsapp.During their chatting they decide to meet for lunch at a popular club which is well known and well maintained. All friends are obviously excited as they would be meeting each other face to face after a long long time.They get dressed up and start travelling towards the Club.Ofcourse wives are not included and this make it even more special.As they come face to face their expressions look so beautiful.Almost teary eyed they greet each other and behave as if they have gone back to their college days.Each one hold hands and walk some distance towards the tables that have already been booked by one among the group who has this exclusive membership with the erstwhile club.They settle down in their seats and start chatting about bygone days.Lunch arrives and it looks so luring and mouth watering.Amidst chatting they start eating their lunch..Once they finish the lunch they go back to the back yard of the club that is having a big water pool and green grass spread all over the ground.The winter sun is not harsh and with this am ience which is enchanting,all buddies settle on the ground.Jai,a former auditor and realtor starts the conversation saying'friends we have worked very hard all these years and each one of us have successfully done our work and given the expected results.We have rendered our familial duties perfectly well and now,I feel we need to pursue our personal interests so that we may have no regret later as we get even more older'.All others nodded in agreement. Mike,a retired pilot chimed in,"I have always wanted to sail around the Mediterranean.Who is in?The Room fell silent for few minutes before erupting into a chorus 'i am in yes,I am too' So,now the golden years gang was ready to go on an adventurous expedition. They were not bothered about their age related health issues etc. but,simple joy and excitement which took them back to many years of their friendship and association.The five friends jai,Mike,Ryan,Tim and Gyan began planning their adventure.                They spent their next few weeks, researching, budgeting and preparing for their journey.They booked a luxurious sail boat and stocked up the necessary supplies and booked their flight to the ancient city of Greece.  On reaching Greece they found the place to be fabulous and exotic.The ancient city with its magnificent architectured tombs,minarets and domes took them all into some other era.After they settled down it was dinner time. The dinner too was special and very tasty beyond their expectations.It was time to go to bed as all were tired and wanted to get up early to go sailing,they wished each other good night and went to their Rooms and fell asleep.Each one might have had dreams about their sailing expedition that was due the next day.                                                   Finally,the time arrived.All the five friends arrived at the Marina,their eyes shining with excitement almost like young boys they were chattering away to glory.As they set sail,the winter sun on their faces and the salty sea air filling their lungs,they knew that this was the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.All the five were thrilled beyond words.                        Over the next few weeks,they island- hopped, exploring hidden coves,snorkeling in crystal -clear waters and indulging in delicious greek cuisine.They shared stories,laughed and reminisced about old times.                  ..           One evening when all the five friends were relaxing near the pool Mike pulled out his guitar and started strumming a lively tune which he used to strum earlier too.The others too joined clapping and singing under the starry sky with a very pleasant air filled.with rustic smell and pleasing fragrance of flowers Suddenly Mike,said "friends why don't we continue exploring new horizons,let us see where the wind takes us?"All.others nodded in agreement and the golden years gang was ready to explore new places.                         Their adventure had just begun and they were ready to take om the world-or atleast the next escapade that came their way.Filled with excitement they started searching, budgeting and planning the next move.Let.us see where they will be heading to?.                                     As the Gang of five sailed through island to island they experienced a mix of different cultures,landscapes and experiences which were so new  engaging and astounding as well. The cuisine tradition,clothing, languages traditions,religious hymns,related practices and the list goes on and on. They hiked through ancient ruins,visited quaint villages,even learnt cooking from an old lady of the quaint village just for fun.                       . .     One day while exploring a  bustling market in turkey,they stumbled upon a small, mysterious looking shop tucked away in a narrow alley. There was something that pulled all the five members of the golden years gang towards the shop.The sign board at the entry of the shop showed these words,"curios and Antiques".Out of curiosity they stepped inside the shop.The Shop was dimly lit,with shelve upon shelves of peculiar items that were visible through the glass doors of the shelves.There were vintage clocks,rare books,and even a taxidermied owl.The shop keeper an old man greeted them with a friendly smile and showed items to the visitors gang.He exclaimed saying " welcome welcome" You seem to be visitors and I know you are curious to know what antique pieces I have in my shop".The gang of friends asked the shop keeper to show them something special which will ignite their adventurous spirit.The shop keeper said"Oh!my friends please wait for a minute I have just the thing for adventurous souls like you all".He disappeared into the back room and came with an old leather bound map."This is a treasure map,he said and continued to say' It leads you all to a hidden coves said to contain treasure beyond your wildest imagination".        The gang of friends exchanged sceptical glances but,the shop keeper's enthusiasm was infectious.They decide to buy the map at the quoted price. The shop keeper was all smiles for selling the map which according to him was sold to the Right persons and for the right purpose.  With many doubts about the shop keeper's words and with a lot of curiosity as to why the shop keeper sold the map that could fetch him a lot of wealth was given to them the gang of elderly friends proceeded on their adventure trip ahead. After many hours of navigating through the rocky waters and dense forests which was not easy for the seniors,they finally stumbled upon the hidden cove. As they anchored their boat and waded throughout the waters hurriedly,they noticed something glinting amidst the crystal -clear waters.It was a very old rusty chest that was half buried in the water beneath.                                With trembling hands almost shivering with confusion and excitement they opened the cove and were shocked to find real treasure of few gold coins and precious stones and a torn ancient looking scroll. As they unrolled the yellowish almost torn scroll they found a map with some navigation marks pointing towards another direction which they understood might be hinting to other treasure sites nearby. The friends looked at each other with a glint in their eyes and all smiles as they understood this was a new chapter of adventure in their lives, a new sense of purpose -to explore,to discover and to make the most of their remaining golden years.                 As they sailed away to a new destination of adventure and excitement they could not take away their thoughts about the shop keeper. Few questions were lingering in their minds as to why the shop keeper guided them towards the treasure cove,why was he so benovelent on them and why did he choose them for this purpose?With all these unanswered questions the gang of senior friends knew they would have each other's backs.They were the 'Golden years gang' who were unstoppable for sure.                                           As  they sailed off into the golden Sun set they knew their friendship is the biggest treasure for every reason and they would preserve it into eternity.                                                The Golden years adventurous expedition became a stuff of kegend,inspiring others to never give up on life's possibilities and dreams should be chased irrespective of age.                      And what about the golden years gang they continued to laugh, explore and live life to the fullest -proving that golden years of life can be made remarkable and rewarding with togetherness, determination and passion for life and it's beauty.