The Making of VanBhoj-IV

A: Who’s he?

Av: Bhoot.

As: May be just a passer-by.

A: He is carrying something in his hand.... dekh to.... its looking like a knife !!!

An: I think he is the owner of this land.... and someone must have told him about the simultaneous existence of us and his land at the same point of time and space.

J: About what ????????

S: Oye…. He’s my Dad !!!

J: What’s he doing here??? Come on Uncle…… we can manage. Why can’t these dads leave us alone??

Uncle: Is everything alright?

All: Absolutely fine.

Uncle: Did you start cooking??

S: Rice is on….meat is queued.

Uncle: Where’s the oil ?

S: (after an intensive search in all the bags) ummm……. Errrr…… we had put it in the….in the….. abe kahan rakha tha ???

Uncle: Here it is. You left it at home. I knew you’ll forget something.

S: Papa.... err..... did we leave nething else???

Uncle: I did not see anything else. Chalo….enjoy.

All: Thank you Uncle :D

1 P.M.

Av: Abe kya @%@%#^ hai ye !! (the F-word hadn’t entered their dictionaries yet) Where’s this wind coming from…. And more importantly…. WHY???

A: It would take forever to cook if this wind continues.

J: Abe…. Look at the chulha…..the heat’s going down!!!!

As: Abe do something. Everyone get dry leaves from wherever and put them in here. That’s the only way to maintain the heat. HURRY!!!!!!!!

After 15 minutes of pandemonium, the wind calmed, the chulha held its fort, the field was sans dry leaves and the ‘men’ were victorious.

2 hours later, they were having their lunch. The rice was overcooked. The meat was almost cooked. The gravy was thicker than water. Salt was slightly on the negative side, duely compensated by chilly on the positive side. The remains of dry leaves garnished the rice and salad. But the spirit, the fun, the innocence, the adventure, the pride, the sheer feeling of ‘Yes, we have done it’…. all confluenced to make that lunch the tastiest lunch they had ever had and the day….memorable forever.

As: What to do with the left rice??

An: Give it to Vanbudhi (the Goddess of fields and forests)

As: All of them!!!

S: Naah re…. give a little bit. I’ll take the rest home. Why waste it.

As: You’ll carry it all the way to your home!!!

S: Err…….. I think so. Anybody here to help me?? (everybody was walking)

They returned by 6 pm…. After living a day on their own terms…. The first such day in their lives .

One year later.

S: Abe…. Picnic karega??

--------X---------