TaniaGetsLost
Copyright©2019byKanikaG
Allrightsreserved.Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynotbereproducedorusedinanymannerwhatsoeverwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.
FirstEdition,2019.
Website
https://kanikag.com/
2
AnInterestingDiscovery
"Tania,don'tyouwanttotakeanap?"Mamacalledout.
"NoMama.I'mnotsleepy.Youknow,Idon'tusuallysleepintheafternoon."Taniareplied.
"Yes,butIthoughtthismorning'strekwouldhavewornyouout.See,Soniaisfastasleep."MamasaidpointingtobabySoniaonherbed.
"TanishaandIarenotatallsleepyMama.Thisplaceissoexciting.Wewanttodosomeexploring.Canwedothatnow,Mama?"
"Ihavenoideahowyouhavesomuchenergy,butifyoufeeluptoit,Idon'tseewhynot.Havefun.PapaandIareofftobed.I'msureTanisha'sparentswillwantsomeresttoo."Mamayawnedandheadedforherbedroom.
TaniawenttofindTanisha.TheirfamilieswerevacationingtogetherinacottageinGethia,asmalltownnearNainital.Theirparentshadrentedoutaquaint,three-bedroom,hilltopcottagewithayardforaweekinthemiddleofMay.
Tania'sparentsoccupiedthebedroomonthetopfloorofthecottageandbabySoniasleptwiththem.Theroomopenedouttoalargeterrace,whereSoniaenjoyedrunningaroundandplayingwithhercarsandblocks.Tanisha'sparentshadthebedroomonthefloorbelowtothemselves.Thebalconytherehadagorgeousviewofthelushgreenhills.
Tanisha'ssisterTrishahadnotjoinedthemontheholiday,becauseshewasbusystudyingforanentranceexam.So,TaniaandTanishagottosharethethirdbedroomonthelowestfloor.Itwasconnectedtoasmallgameroomwithcupboardsfulloftoys,boardgamesandbooks.Thegameroomhadadoorthatopenedoutdirectlytothebackyard.Thegirlswerethrilledwiththearrangement.
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Thetwofamilieshadarrivedatthecottageafewdaysearlier.TheyhadbeenboatingatNainitallake,aneighteenkilometerdrivefromthecottage.
Thismorning,theyhadfollowedawindingmudpath,thatledtoafairlyhighpeakwithapanoramicview.OnonewasthetownofNainital.Acollageofquainthouses,templesandbuildingcomplexesinterspersedbypatchesofgreenforestclothedtheslopesoftheundulatinghills.Ontheotherside,rawnatureprevailed,offeringanenthrallingviewofsteepslopesadornedbytallsturdyevergreens,thetimelessguardiansofthemountainside.
Soniahadnotbeenabletomanagetheentirewalkonherown,inspiteofbeingquiteeager.Shewastoolittle."Inanotheryearperhaps."Mamahadsaid.
"Yes,whensheisfourandahalf."Papahadadded."Taniahaddoneherfirstdifficulttrekonherownatthatage."Hehadrecalled.
SothegrownupshadtakenturnsatcarryingSonia.Tanisha'smotherinparticularwasthrilled."WithTrishaallgrownup,andTanishaalreadyeight,Imisscarryingababy."Shehadadmitted.
That'sprobablywhythegrownupsaresotiredtoday,Taniathought,asshewentdownstairstoherroom.Tanialookedaroundtheroom,butTanishawasn'tin,soshepeekedintothegameroom.There,shenoticedthatthedoortothebackyardwasopen.Atonce,TaniaknewwhereTanishawas.ShemustbeplayingwithCleo.
Taniasteppedoutintotheyard,andsureenough,CleoandTanishawererunningupanddowntheyardtogether.Tanialaughedatthesight.
Cleo,shortforCleopatra,wasaneightmontholdbrown,furrypuppywholivedonthepropertyandbelongedtothecaretakerofthecottage.AssoonasCleonoticedTania,shedashedtowardsher.ShejumpedupandhuggedTaniawithherfrontpaws,whileTaniaheldCleo'sheadinherhandsandpettedher."Ican'tbelieveyouwerescaredofthisadorablepuppy."TaniasaidtoTanisha.
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"Ihadneverplayedwithadogbefore,andshejustjumpedonme."Tanishaprotested."Iwasstartled.Butsheistoonice.EvenSonialetsCleoclimballoverherandisn'tabitscaredanymore.IhopemyparentsletmegetadogwhenwearebackinMumbai."
ThegirlsplayedwithCleoforsometime,andthenTaniarememberedwhyshewaslookingforTanisha."HeymyparentsaretakinganapwithSonia.Theyareexhaustedfromthewalkthismorning."
"Soaremine.Soniaisgettingquiteheavy,isn'tshe?"Tanishaobserved.
Tanianodded."Yeah.It'sdifficultformetocarryhernow.Anyway,wouldyouliketodosomeexploring?"
"Sure.Butwhydon'twebegininside?Ifoundachestofdrawersinthegameroom.Ithasallkindsofweirdstuffinit."TanishasaidleadingTaniatothedrawers.
"Really?Whatkindofstuff?"Taniaaskedopeningoneofthedrawers.Itwasfilledwithbatteries,wires,plugs,arollofstringandsomeofficesupplies."LookslikeArthurWeasley'streasurechest."Shelaughed.TaniahadrecentlyreadafewoftheHarryPotterbooks.
Tanishaopenedadrawerfullofpapersandwasexaminingthem."Hey!Lookatthis!"Sheexclaimed.
"What?"Taniaasked,curioustoknowwhyTanishawassoexcited.
TanishashowedTaniaasketchymapofthepropertywithafewpathsveeringofftheends."Ohcool.NotasawesomeastheMarauder'sMap,"TaniaremarkedunabletoresistyetanotherHarryPotterreference,"butseethatpathgoestothesmallinnnextdoor.SowecanuseittofetchourFrisbee."Tania'seyesgleamed.
"Super!Theguardatthegatewassuchagrouch.Hewouldn'tevenletusin.Ibethedoesn'tknowaboutthispath,andifIestimatecorrectly,ourFrisbeehasfallenafewmetersawayfromwherethispathjoinsupwiththeinn'sgrounds."Tanishasaidtappingaspotonthemap.
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"Oh.Inthatcase,whydidn'tweseeityesterday?"Taniawaspuzzled."Let'sgotakealookatit."Shesuggested.
Assuggestedbythemap,thegirlswenttothenorthendoftheyardtolookforthepath.Buttheycouldn'tseeit.Suddenly,CleocamechargingoutofnowhereandpouncedonTania,wagginghertailgleefully.
Takenbysurprise,Tanialostherbalanceandfelldown."Cleo,you'relikeatidalwave."Taniacomplained,sittingonthegroundcheckingforbruises.CleodidnotunderstandawordTaniasaid,buttriedtolickthespotsTaniawasexamining.
"AllrightCleo.Ican'treallybeangrywithyou.You'rejusttoocute.Nowondertheycallitapuppyface.Soniaisanexpertatusingittoo."
"Areyouhurt,Tania?"Tanishaasked,sittingdowninfrontofher.
"No.I'mfine."TaniasaidlookingatTanisha."Ohwait!"
"Whathappened?Areyoubleeding?"TanishawasalarmedbyTania'ssuddenchangeintoneandexpression.
"No,butIthinkIfoundourpath."TaniawaslookingthroughagapinthethickbushesjustoverTanisha'sshoulder.
Thetreesandbushesweresothick,thatthepathwasbarelyvisible,butbeingsmall,thegirlscouldaccessit.Theypushedthebranchesapart,slippedthroughandreturnedwiththeFrisbee."Ha!Mr.GrumpyMcGee.WegotourFrisbee,inspiteofyou!"Tanishadidalittlejig.
"So,doyouwanttocheckouttheotherpathsonthemap?"Taniaasked,hopingtoseesomethingmoreexcitingthere.Visionsofdiscoveringsecretpassagesandundergroundtunnelsdancedbeforehereyes.ThecottagelookedsomuchlikesomethingoutofanEnidBlytonbook,theideagrewonher.
"Yes,let'sdothat."Tanishareplied,feelingequallyexcited.
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Thegirlsopenedupthemapanditwasn'tlongbeforeTaniaspottedsomethingpeculiar.Itshowedapathwithatinylabel,3KmtoNainitallake.
"Gosh,canyoubelievethat?"Taniaeyeswidened,asshepointedatit.
"That'simpossible!"Tanishaexclaimedbendingherheadtolookmorecloselyatthemap."Wehadtodriveeighteenkilometerstogetthereyesterday.Ittookusalmostanhour."Thegirlslookedateachother,puzzled.
"Wecanexplorethepathandcheckitout."Taniasuggested.
"Youmeanshowittoourparents,andtryitforourmorningwalktomorrow?"Tanishaasked.
"No.Imeanexploreitonourown."Taniaclarified."Won'titbeanawesomediscovery?Withsomepractice,wecanwalktoNainitallakeinalittlemorethananhour!Ifwetriedhard,Iguesswecouldevenraceacar."
"Youwanttoleavethepropertyalone?Idon'tthinkweareallowedtodothat."Tanishaobjected.
"Comeon,Tanisha."Taniaurged."Itwillbeafunadventure.Iamsurewewillbesafeifwetakeamountainpath.Therearenocarsonittogetrunoveroranything."Taniahadbeenreadingaboutkidshavingadventuressinceshewasfive.Nowthatshesawthepossibilityofherownadventure,shesimplycouldnotresist.
"Shouldweleavenow?"TanishaaskedgettingsweptawaybyTania'senthusiasm.
Taniathoughtaboutitforamoment."No,nottoday.IthinkIhearSoniawakingup.Soourparentswillbeupsoon."
"IheardourparentsplanningatriptoSatTaltomorrow."Tanisharecalled."Theyareseveninterconnectedlakes.We'llbewalkingthere
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fromlaketolakeanddoingpedalboatingtoo.So,IbetourparentsandSoniawillsleepagoodlongtimeintheafternoon.Wecangoforouradventurethen."
"Perfect!"Taniaagreed."We'llplanitproperlytonightandtakesomesnackswithustoo.We'llhaveanadventurejustlikethekidsintheBarneyMysterySeriesIamreadingrightnow."Sheaddedinawhisper,assheheardhermotherapproaching.
8
LateNightWhispers
"It'salmosttea-timegirls."Mamaannounced,enteringtheroom."Sowhathaveyoutwobeenuptothisafternoon?Didyoufindanythingexciting?Secretpassages,perhaps?"Mamawaggledhereyebrowsandsmiled.
Taniawasstartledforamoment.CouldMamareadhermind?ThensherememberedtellingMama,shewasplanningtoexplorethecottageintheafternoon.
"Oh,wefoundasecretpathalright!"Taniasaid.Tanishastaredatherinhorror.WasTaniagivingtheirsecretaway?
"Oh,really?"Mamacrossedherarmsandraisedoneeyebrow,waitingforTaniatocontinue.Tanishawaitedwithbatedbreathtoseewherethiswasgoing.
Taniadivedbehindthebedandpickedupsomethingfromthefloor.ShehelditupinfrontofMama'sface."Ta-da!"Shesang,flourishingitaround.
"Nice.IseeyoutalkedGrumpyMcGeeintolettingyougetyourFrisbeeback."Mamasmiled.
"Nope!"Tanishachimedin,excited.SherealizedwhatTaniawasupto.ShewasthetellingMamabitsoftheirafternoondiscoveries,thathadnothingtodowiththeirplansforthenextday.But,inherexcitement,Tanishaforgottobecareful."Wefoundasecretpathtotheinn,"sheblurtedout,"andretrievedourFrisbee.GrumpyMcGeedoesn'tknowathing."Tanishaclappedherhandsinglee.
"Buthowdidyoufindthissecretpath?"Mamaasked,andTanishabitherlip.
Beforeshecouldstammeroutareply,Taniajumpedin."Itwasall
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thankstoCleo."Shesaidbeamingatthepuppywhohadjustwanderedinwithapineconeinhermouth,andtriggeredanideathatTaniahopedwouldsavetheday.
"Cleo?"Mamaasked."Didsheshowyouthepath?"
"Notquite.Yousee,whenCleosawmeintheyard,shejumpedontome.Iwassostartled,Ifelldown.That'swhenIsawapaththroughalowholeinthebushes.It'snotreallyvisibleunlessyoulookthroughtheholeatjusttherightanglefromtherightplace.Wewereluckytofindit."Taniaexplained."GoodgirlCleo."Sheaddedpettingthepuppy.
TanishamarveledatTaniaforbeingcompletelytruthfulwithhermother,andyetdeftlyrescuingtheirsecret,aftersheherselfhadalmostruinedit.SheneededtolearnthisparticularskillfromTania.
"ArethosehotsamosasIsmell?"Taniaasked,wrigglinghernoseasshesniffedattheair.
"Yes.That'swhatIcametogetyoufor.Thecaretakerhasmadeushotsamosasandjalebisfortea."Mamabarelyfinishedhersentencebeforethegirlsdashedofftothecoffeetabletoattackthefood.BythetimeMamagotthere,thegirlshadalreadyfinishedhalftheirfirstsamosa.Theirstickyfingersindicatedtheyhaddownedafewjalebistoo.
Soniaignoredthesamosas.Sheloadedherplatewithamountainofjalebisandscamperedofftoacornertoenjoythemundisturbed.Afewminuteslater,Cleoarrivedsniffingaroundforsometreats.Soniahadjustlickedherfingerscleanofthedelicioussweetsyrup.ShestuckhertongueoutatCleo,andeveryoneburstoutlaughing.TaniafeltsorryforCleoandgaveherabiteofherlastjalebi.
Aftertea,everyonegottogetherinthelivingroomtoplayPictionary.SoniawanderedofftoplaywithCleo.
WhenTania,TanishaandtheirparentsfinishedwithPictionary,theymovedontocharades.Tanisha'sdeliberatelyexaggeratedgestures,
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whensheactedoutherclues,wereamusingandhadeveryoneinsplits."Ithinkyou'vefoundyourcallingasacomic,dear."Hermothersaidbetweengaspsoflaughter.
Itwasperhapsbecausetheywerealllaughingsohard,thattheydidnotnoticethenoisecomingfromoneoftheupstairsrooms.Tanisha'sfatherwasthefirsttonoticethatsomethingwaswrong,whenhesawabrownblurdashacrosstheroom.TheneveryonesawSoniarunningafterit,wavingherfistsandshouting,"ComebackwithitCleo.That'smine."
MamaandPapadashedafterSoniatofindoutwhatshewassoupsetabout.Everyoneelsefollowed.MamafinallycaughtupwithSoniaandCleointheyard,whereCleowastryingtochewupsomethingshiny.Mamarealizedwhatitwas.ShetoldPapa,andheheldCleogently,butfirmly.Then,MamamanagedtoforcetheshinyobjectoutofCleo'smouth.Cleobarkedangrily,butPapawasabletograduallycalmherdown.
WhenTaniasawwhatMamawasholding,shegasped."Ohmygoodness!It'sachocolatebar.Isn'tthatbadfordogs?"
Mamanoddedgrimly."Fortunately,theshinywrappingwrapperwastoughandCleogotverylittleoutofit.Soniayoushouldn'tgiveCleochocolates.Theyarebadforher.Theywillmakeherverysick."
"IdidnotgiveCleochocolate."Soniacried,outraged."Igaveherotherthings.Shetookthechocolate."
"Whatdoyoumeanyougaveherotherthings?"Papaasked,alarmed.
MamaandPapatookSoniaandwentuptotheirroom.Taniafollowedthem,andTanishaandherfamilyreturnedtothelivingroom.
WhenTaniareachedherparentsroom,shehadtosuppressalaugh.Ahairbrush,ashavingbrush,asmallcontainerofVaseline,amedicinebottle,ascrunchie,andatennisball,alllaycheweduponthefloor,fullofdoggydrool.MamaandPapastaredatthesightindismay.
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"Igaveherotherthingstoplaywith."Soniacomplained."Butshetookmychocolate.Iwantmychocolateback."Soniacried.
"Sonia,youtookourthingswithoutaskingus,andletCleomessthemup."Mama'seyesflashed."Cleosawyougiveherotherthingsfromthedressingtableandthoughtshecouldtakeanythingfromthere.Itservesyourightshetookyourchocolatewithoutyourpermission.Perhaps,nowyoucanunderstandhowwefeelaboutyougivingourstufftoCleotomesswith,withoutourpermission."
"SorryMama,PapaandTania."Soniasaid,lookingaroundatthemess."IwasjusthavingfunwithCleo.Ididnotthinkaboutyourthingsbeingspoiled."
"Makesureyoudon'tgiveCleoanychocolate."Papaadded."It'sreallybadforher."
"Nowhelpuscleanthisup."Mamasaid,hertonesoftening.
"YesMama."Sonianodded.
CleohadpuncturedaholeintheVaselinecontainerandsomedroolhadgotinside.Itwasbeyondrescue,andMamahadtothrowitaway.Tania'sscrunchiewastoonibbleduptobeofanyuse,butTaniaputitawayonthebathroomwindowsill.ShedecidedtoletCleohaveit.
Mamawashedherhairbrush,andPapacleanedouthisshavingbrush.
Fortunately,themedicinebottlewasmadeofglasssoCleocouldn'tpokeholesintoit.Thelabelwasdestroyed,andTaniavolunteeredtomakeaneatnewlabelforitandstickiton.Shewashedanddriedthebottlebeforedoingthat.Soniawashedoutthetennisballandleftittodryontheterrace.
Wheneverythingwascleanedandputaway,Sonialookedmiserable.Taniafeltsorryforherandgaveherahug."IfyouwanttogiveCleosomethingtoplaywith,youcangiveherpinecones."Taniasuggested."Thereareloadsofthemlyingaroundontheyard.Ibetshe'lllove
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them."
SoniabrightenedupandlookedatMamaandPapa."CanIdothat?"Sheasked.
MamaandPapasmiled."Yes,ofcourseyoucan.Taniathat'sareallygoodidea."Mamasaid,andPapapattedTaniaontheback.
"ThankyouTania.Thankyoufortheidea."Soniawasthrilled."I'llgogetsomepinecones."Sheaddedanddashedofftotheyard.
Taniaandherparentsreturnedtothelivingroom."Iseverythingalright?"Tanisha'smotherasked,concerned.
"Yes."Mamasighed."WeneedtobuysomeVaselinetomorrow,buteverythingelseisfine."
"Why?WhathappenedtoyourVaseline?"Tanisha'sfatherasked,mystified.
Mamatoldeveryonewhathadhappenedupstairs,andTanishaandhermotherburstintoafitofgiggles."I'msogladSoniaisoutsideandcan'thearus.Itwouldneverdotolaughinfrontofher,butit'sjustsofunny."Tanisha'smothersaid,wipingtearsoflaughter.Hergiggleswereinfectious,andeveryoneelsejoinedin.Taniawasrelievedbecauseshetoohadbeendyingtolaughforawhile.
"Dinnerisready."Thecaretakercalledoutloudly,tryingtogettheirattention.
"Ohmygoodness!Isthatthetime?"Tanisha'sfatherexclaimed,soberinguprightaway.
JustthenSoniaarrivedwithherarmsfullofpinecones,lookingverypleased.Sheputawayhertreasureandjoinedeveryoneatthediningtable.Theyenjoyedascrumptiousdinnerofslowcookedmuttoncurryandmixedvegetableswithastronggingeryflavor,accompaniedbyhotrotisandsteamingrice.
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Cleoarrivedjustastheywerefinishingup,andPapahandedhersomemuttonbones.Shechompedthemupinajiffy,andthenlickedPapa'shandenthusiastically.
"PapaisitokaytogiveCleomuttonbones?"Soniaasked,lookingatPapa,hereyeswideassaucers."Won'ttheymakehersick?"
"No,muttonbonesaregoodforCleo."Papaexplained.
"Chocolatemakeshersick,butbonesaregoodforher!Thesedogsarecrazy!"Soniamumbledfinishingoffthelastofherownmutton."ShouldItryeatingthebonestooPapa?"Sheasked.
"No.That'snotagoodidea."Mamasaid,andTaniaburstoutlaughing.
Aftereveryonehadfinisheddinner,thecaretakerbroughtoutdessert.Itwasricepuddingwithloadsofdryfruitsinit.Sonialovedthedessert,butshewassotired,shefellasleep,withherheadrestingonthetable,nexttoherhalfeatendessert.Mamapickedherupandtookherbedandsooneveryoneretiredtotheirrooms.
TaniaandTanishahadsomeveryimportantthingstodiscuss,andthiswastheperfecttime.Sonia'slittleshenaniganshadbeenfunny,buttheyhadbeenlongingtofindsometimealone.Untilnow,ithadbeenimpossible.
Assoonastheywereintheirroomtogether,Tanialockedthedoor,andTanishawenttofetchthemap.ThegirlshadthoroughlyenjoyedplayingPictionaryandcharades,buttheyhadbeendyingtogetsometimealone,sotheycoulddiscusstheirplansforthenextday.Justastheywereabouttostart,therewasaknockonthedoor.Taniawenttounlockit,whileTanishahidthemapaway.
MamaandTanisha'smotherwereatthedoor."Whyhaveyoulockedthedoor?"Mamaasked,surprised.
"Areyouplanningsomethingsecret?"Tanisha'smotheradded,winkingatthem.
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"Mom!"Tanishaprotested,glaringathermother.
Mamasmiled."Wecametotellyou,thatweareleavingearlyforSatTaltomorrow,sothatitdoesn'tgettoohotforboatingafterthewalk.Soyougirlsshouldgotobednow.Haveyoubrushedyourteeth,Tania?"
"Youtoo,Tanisha."Hermothersaid."We'llcomeandcheckonyougirlsinfiveminutes.You'dbetterbeinbedunderthecoverswiththelightsoff."
Thegirlsweredisappointed,buttheydidastheyweretold.Soontheyweresnuggledunderthecovers,anditdidfeelcomfortable.Theirparentscametokissthemgoodnight.
Aftertheyleft,Taniahadanidea."PsstTanisha,areyouawake?"Shewhispered.
"Yes."Tanishareplied."Why?What'sup?"
"Youknowourmomsonlysaidthatwehadtoswitchoffthelightsandstayinbedunderthecovers.Buttheydidnotsayanythingabouthavingtogotosleep."
"Huh?Whatonearthdoyoumean?"
"Imean,wecansitupinbed,makeatentwiththecover,andmakeourplans."
"Butwecan'tlookatthemapinthedark,silly."
"So,we'llswitchontheflashlight.Thatwasn'toneofthelightsyourmomwasreferringto."
"Hasanyoneevertoldyouthatyouhaveagreatfutureasadefenselawyer?"Tanishaasked,impressedbyTania'sabilitytofindloopholesinrules."It'samazinghowyoutoldyourmomonlytruths,andyetmanagedtokeepoursecretsafe."
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"Comeon.Let'stakealookatthatmap."Taniasaid,feelingchuffed.ShewaspleasedthatTanishahadleftthemapinthedrawerunderthebedsidetable,soshecouldretrieveitwithoutgettingoutofbed.
Thegirlsstudiedthemapforafewminutestryingtofigureoutwherethepathbegan."Idon'tthinkIhavebeentothispartofthegrounds."Taniasaid,lookingatthemapfromdifferentangles.
"Heywait,lookitsaysCCrighthere.Ithinkthatmeansthecaretaker'scottage."Tanishapointedatthetinylabelonablockinthemap."AndIthinkthedoorwehaveseenhimenterthroughisonthisside."Shecontinued,pointingatoneendofarectangle.
"IthinkyouarerightTanisha.That'sbrilliant."Taniacongratulatedher,andshebeamed.
"Andsee,thepathstartsoffjustfromtheothersideoftheentrance,whichisprobablythebackofthecaretaker'scottage.Maybehehasabackdoor,butwehaveneverbeennearit.HeprobablyusesthepathtogettoNainitalmarketandbringbacksupplies."Tanishacontinued.
"Wow!Tanisha.Youcouldbeadetectivewhenyougrowup.Butbesuretousemylegalserviceswhenyoucatchcriminals."Taniawinked.
"Ifyouaregoingtobeadefenselawyer,thenwewillbeonoppositesides."Tanishapointedout.
"Iwouldn'twanttobeoppositeyou.I'msurefindingloopholeshelpseveryone,eventhegoodguys.Anyway,gettingbacktothismap,Irecallseeinganarrowgapbetweenthefenceandthecaretaker'scottage,whenIwaschasingCleoandsheranofftohiscottage.Wecanusethattogoaroundhiscottagetotheotherside,wherethepathstarts."Taniaconcluded,foldingupthemap.
"Super."Tanishanodded,puttingawaythemapinthedrawerandpullingoutapaperandpencil."Nowforthesnacks.Ihavesomechocolates,andwecantakeafewbiscuits,cashewsandraisinsforsnacks."Shelistedtheitemsonthepaper.
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"Andweshouldpackajuiceboxforeachusandabottleofwater."Taniasuggested,andTanishaaddedthosetoherlist.
"Perfect.Ithinkwearedone."Tanishasaid,puttingawaythelistandpencilbackinthedrawer,whileTaniaswitchedofftheflashlight."Butwehadbettergotosleepnow,orwetoowillsleepthroughtheafternoontomorrow,andthatwillbearealshame."Sheyawned.
Soonbothgirlswerefastasleepdreamingofmaps,adventures,andtheirfutureprofessions.
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TheAdventureBegins
Thenextmorning,bothgirlswereupbrightandearly.Theywereeagertogetonwiththeiradventure.Thegirlsgotoutofbed,showered,brushedtheirteeth,hadalightbreakfast,andgotdressed.
"BeginphaseoneofOperationNainital."TaniawhisperedtoTanisha,whiletheywereputtingontheirshoes.
"Cool.Thatsoundssoofficial!"Tanishafeltthethrillofanticipation."Butwait,whatexactlyisphaseone?"Sheasked,confused.
"Oh,youknow,justmakingsurethegrownupsgetverytiredandsleepy,sotheytakealongafternoonnap.Ithoughtitwouldbefuntocallitphaseone."Taniawinked."IheardthetermonaTVshow."
"Gotit."Tanishagaveherathumbsup.
Sooneveryonewasinthecar,andtheydroveforabouthalfanhour,untiltheygottothevicinityofSatTal.Thentheyallkepttheireyespeeledforagoodwalkingpath.Tanisha'sfatherwasusingapairofbinoculars,andwasthefirsttospotone.
Duringtheirwalk,thegirlssawsomanyunusualandfascinatingbirdsandflowers,thattheyforgotallaboutphaseone.Tanisha'smotherwaspassionateaboutbotanyandstudieditasahobby.Shetoldthemthenamesofvariousplantsandflowers,includingonethathadsharpthornsonit'ssoftleaves.
Afteranhourofwalking,Soniawasverytired.Soeveryonesatdowntorest.Tanianoticedseveralinterestingtrees,alittleofftothesideofthepath.Theywereladenwithtiny,brightred,fruits."WhatarethoseAunty?"SheaskedTanisha'smother.
Tanisha'smotherlookedupinthedirectionTaniawaspointing."Ahyes,thattreeisnearourcottagetoo.Iaskedthecaretakeraboutit.He
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saidthefruitisavailableatthemarket,andthelocalscallitkafal.IlookedituponWikipedia,whereIlearnedthatit'sscientificnameismyricaesculenta."
"Howcomethetreenearthecottagedoesn'thavesomanyfruitsonit?"Tanishaaskedhermother."I'msureI'dhavenoticedit,ifitwassofullofbrightredfruit."
"Actually,itdoesproducealotoffruit.Youneverseemuch,becausethemonkeyswhoprowltheneighborhoodeatmostofthem."Tanisha'smothergrinned.
"I'mgoingtogetsome."Taniadeclared,andsprintedofftowardsthetreesbeforeanyonecouldstopher.Butshehadtoslowdowntowadethroughthedense,drybushes.Acoupleofminuteslater,Tanialookedup.Thetreewasstillafewfeetaway.Ithadseemedsomuchcloserfromtherestingpoint,butTaniahadtotakeameanderingpatharoundthornybushesanddenseshrubswhilstpushingawaybranchesthatthreatenedtoscratchherface.
Finally,whenTaniareachedtheclosesttree,thefruitwasoutofherreach.Taniaclimbeduptothesturdylowestbranch,andfromthereshecouldreachtheupperbranches.Shebrokeoffathinbranch,thathadloadsofripefruitonit.
Thrilledwithhersuccess,shewasreadytodescend,whensheheardsomethingstrange.Itwasarustlingsound.Isitasquirrelscamperingabout?Taniawondered.Shelookeddown,andgottheshockofherlife!
Shesawahuge,gray-brownsnakeslitheringawayintothethicketofbushesafewfeetaway.Taniafrozeonthetree,tooscaredtodoanything.Wasthesnakelurkingaroundtherecamouflagedallthetime,whileshehadwalkedtothetree?Thethoughtmadehershiver.
Taniatriedtocalmherselfdown.Shecarefullyscannedthebaseofthetree.Therewerenosignsofanysnakethere.Sheclimbeddownslowly,andnoiselessly,keepingasharplookoutforanymovementorsound.
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Thenshewalkedbackasquietlyasshecouldmanage,clutchingontothebranchoffruits.
"WhathappenedTania?"PapaaskedwhenTaniareturned."Youlooklikeyou'veseenaghost."
"Notaghost,butIsawahugesnake."Taniasaidwipinghersweatypalmswithahandkerchief.
"Asnake?"Tanishascreamedfreakingout."Let'sgetoutofhere."
"Relax."Hermothersaidgivingherasidewayshug."Mostsnakesarenotpoisonous."
Soniatoolookedterrified,butMamacuddledherandtoldhertherewasnothingtoworryabout."It'snotanymorekeentomeetus,thanwearetomeetit.Itwillhavegoneaway.Taniaonlysawitbecauseshewentoffthemainpath.Itmusthavebeenjustasscaredandsurprisedtoseeher."
"Tania,thefruitslookdelicious.Sonia,doyouwanttotrysome?"Papaasked,andSonianoddedhappily,forgettingallaboutthesnake.Papapluckedoutafewofthefruitsandwashedtheminsomedrinkingwaterfromhisbottle.Everyonetastedone.Theywereadelightfulcombinationoftangyandsweet.
"Wearerunninglowonwater."Tanisha'sfatherobserved,whenhepulledoutthewaterbottletowashsomemorefruits."Tania,Ithinkyoushouldleavetherestofthefruitsonthebranch,andwecanwashandeatthemwhenwehaveaccesstomorewater."
Everyoneagreed,andtheyallcontinuedontheirwalk,Taniaholdingthebranchuplikeaflag.Soniawastootiredtowalkanymore,soPapaputheronhisshoulders.Papawastallandstrong.Sonialovedridingonhisshoulders.Sheenjoyedtheviewfromupthere.Itwasacloudydaywithacoolbreeze,sothewalkwasverypleasant.
Afewminuteslater,Tanishaspottedafamilyofmonkeysafewfeet
20
awayandpointedthemouttoeveryone."Ohhowcute.Lookatthatbabymonkeyhangingfromhermother.It'ssotinyandcuddly."Taniagushed.Shetookastepforwardtogetacloserlookatthebabymonkey,whenshefeltatug.Beforesheknewit,anothermonkeyhadjumpeddownfromoneofthetreesaboveandsnatchedawayherbranchfulloffruits.
Taniawavedherfistinangeratthemonkey,butitjustchatteredandranaway.Sonialaughed.
"Theyreallyareyourkin,aren'tthey,youlittlemonkey?"Taniasaid,turningtoSoniaandnarrowinghereyes.Soniastuckhertongueoutandmademonkeyfaces.
"Irestmycase."Taniasaid,andeveryonelaughed.
"Iseeyouareboninguponlegaljargon."TanishawhisperedtoTania,oncetheywereallwalkingagain,andTaniasmiled.Theideaofbecomingalawyerwasgrowingonher.
Thenextcoupleofhourspassedpleasantly,uninterruptedbyscaryencounterswithwildlife.Theywalked,tookbreakstodrinkwater,munchondryfruitsandeatoranges.Soniawaspassedfromonegrownuptoanother.Sheentertainedthembysingingridiculousmadeupsongs.Atoneofthelakes,calledGarudTal,Taniaspottedaverylargeschooloftinyblackfish.Itwasinterestingtowatchthemswimmingaroundtogether.
SoniawasthrilledwhenitwasPapa'sturntocarryheragain.FromhervantagepointatopPapa'sshoulders,shewasthefirsttospotalargelakewithboatsonit."Boats,boats!"Shechanted,bouncingupanddown,makingPapauncomfortable.
"Sonia,singingisgreat,butdancingupthereisalittlemuch,don'tyouthink?"Papacomplained.
"Sorry,Papa.Lookthereareboatsonalake."Sheclarified.
21
"Ohyes!Now,Icanseethemtoo!"Taniaexclaimed.
"Yay,wecangopedalboating."TaniaandTanishasangout.
Mamalookedaroundandspottedapaththatledtothelake."It'sasteeppathandcoveredwithsoftdrypineneedles,soitwillbeslippery.Itwillbedifficult,ifwehavetocarrySonia."Sheobserved.
"Icanwalkagain."Soniasaid."Iwanttogototheboats."Shewasdetermined.Papaheavedasighofrelief.Itdidnotfeelsafe,goingdownthatpathwhilecarryingSonia.
Soniahadrecoveredandwasfeelingenergeticagain.Shesatdownatthetopofthepathandpushedherselfwithherlegs.Wheee,downshewent,asifshewasonaslide.Mamascreamed,butSoniaseemedperfectlyfineandeagerformore.
TherestofthemcaughtupwithSoniaandonceagainshesliddownthepath.Shemadeitlookeasy.TaniadecidedtogiveitatryandwentslidingdownbehindSonia.
"It'ssomuchfasterthisway."Shecalledout,andTanishafollowedsuit.Thegrownupstookthedignifiedwaydownandreachedafewminutesafterthem.
"That'ssuretotirethemoutnicely."TaniatoldTanisha."Idon'tunderstandwhygrownupsaretoodignifiedtodothingsthefunway.Butit'sgoodforphaseone."Shewinked.
"Ohspeakingofphaseone,letsnotdoanypedalingtodayandleaveittothegrownups."Tanishasuggested.
"Why,don'tyoulikepedaling?Iloveit!"Taniacouldn'tbelievewhatshewashearing.Normally,Tanishafoughttohavealongerchanceatpedaling
"OfcourseIlovepedaling.Butrememberphaseone?"TanishalookedatTaniawithraisedeyebrows.
22
"Ohyeah.Darnit!Ilovepedaling,butyou'reright."
ThegrownupswereastonishedthatTaniaandTanishashowednointerestinpedaling."Areyoufeelingokay?"MamaaskedTania."Ithoughtyoulovepedaling."
"Yeah,somethingisgoingon."Tanisha'smothersmelledarat.
"It'sphaseone,it'sphaseone."Soniasangout.
"Phaseone?What'sthatSonia?"Papaasked,bemused.
TaniaandTanishafroze.Theyhadn'trealizedthatSoniahadbeenlisteningtotheirconversation.Fortunatelyforthem,Soniawasn'tkeenonansweringanyquestions.Sheonlywantedtosingit'sphaseoneoverandoveragain.
"Ithink,IheardthatonsomeTVshow."Taniasaidtruthfully,andagainTanishamarveledather.
Onthebrightside,Sonianowhadthegrownupsfocusedongettinghertosingsomethingelse,becauseit'sphaseonewasaboringsongwithanannoyingtune.SonooneaskedanymorequestionsaboutwhyTaniaandTanishawerenotpedaling
Afterboating,theystoppedatarestaurantforlunch.Taniascouredthemenuforricedishesthatwouldmakethegrownupssleepy."MamalooktheyhaveyourfavoriteRajmahchawal!"Shepointedout,andMamaobviouslyorderedit.
Papawasplanningtoorderparathas,butTaniaconvincedhimtoorderhisfavoritemuttoncurrywithrice.Tanisha'sparentspreferredtoeatriceforlunchanyway,soshedidnothavetodomuch,exceptencouragethemtoovereat.
Withtheirstomachssofull,theyweresuretosleepseverallonghoursintheafternoon.
23
Onthewayback,Taniamadesuresheplayedpeppydancemusicinthecar,sonoone,notevenSoniafeltlikesleeping.Butoncetheywerebackhome,everyonefellasleepalmostatonce.TaniaandTanishawererunninghighonadrenaline,anddidnotfeelsleepyatall."Phaseoneaccomplished."Tanishasaluted,aftershehadcheckedthatherparentsweresnoring.
Taniagiggled.ShehadalreadytoldTanishaaboutherparentsandSoniabeingfastasleep.ThegirlspackedTanisha'sbackpackwiththeitemstheyhadlistedthepreviousnight."Shouldwetakesomemoney?"Taniaasked.
"Yes."Tanishanodded."Let'stakethepocketmoneywebroughtalongforbuyinggiftsforourschoolfriends.WemayfindsomethinginterestingintheTibetanmarketnearNainitallake.Ialsowanttogetaneclairwehadfromthebakerywevisitedlasttimewewerethere.Ihavebeendreamingofthemeversince."
Tanialaughed."Sure.Thoseeclairswereheavenly."
WhenTaniawenttousethebathroom,beforeleavingontheadventure,shenoticedthemangledscrunchieonthewindowsill.Shehadbroughtitdownfromherparent'sbathroominthemorning,meaningtogiveittoCleo,andthenforgottenaboutit.Shestuffeditintoherpocket,decidingtogiveittoCleothenexttimeshesawher.
Littledidsherealizethen,howsoonthatwouldbe.TaniaandTanishasteppedoutofthecottage,closingthebackdoorasquietlyaspossible.Sotheywerestartled,whentheyweregreetedwithaloudcheerfulbarkfromCleo.
"Ohno.NotnowCleo."Taniapleaded,butCleowasdeterminedtohangoutwiththegirls.
Taniahadasuddenidea.Shetookoutthemangledscrunchiefromherpocketandthrewitasfarasshecould.Itlandedinthepropertyoftheneighboringinn.Cleowentchasingafterit.TaniaandTanishascamperedofftofindthepath.Ittookthemawhiletosqueezethrough
24
thenarrowgapbetweenthecaretaker'scottageandthefence,buttheywererelievedthatCleodidnotcomelookingforthemagain."Iguesssheisbusychewingupwhat'sleftofthescrunchie."Taniaremarked."I'mgladIhappenedtohaveitwithme."
Oncetheygottotheothersideofthecaretaker'scottage,thegirlsnoticedanarrowbreakinthebarbedwirefence,rightnearthemouthofthepath."Seemslikethecaretakerdoesusethispath."Tanishanoted,walkingthroughcarefullytomakesurethebackpackdidnotgetcaughtinthefence.Oncetheyhadcrossedthefence,thegirlsfeltexhilarated.Theiradventurehadbegun!Nowwhatwouldhappennext?Theycouldn'twaittofindout.
25
ThingsGoHorriblyWrong
Thenarrowpath,thathadstartedfromthecottagesoonbecamebroader.Clearly,itwasawelltroddenpath.Thegirlswalkedonmerrily,feelingexcited.CouldthepathreallyleadtoNainitallake?Theyhopeditwould.
Afteraboutfifteenminutesofuneventfulwalking,Taniaspottedsomethinginteresting."Heylookatthis."ShesaidtappingTanisha'sshoulder.
"Itlookslikearaspberry."Tanishaexaminedthefruitonabush.
"Yeah,butit'sorange.Isn'tthatweird?Doyouwanttotasteit?"
"Noway!Wedon'tknowwhatitis.Whatifit'spoisonous?"
"Don'tbesuchascaredy-cat."Taniachided,bitingintoaparticularlyripeandjuiceberry."Ittastesalotlikearaspberry.Areyousureyoudon'twanttotryone?"Taniaaskedagain,pickingahandfulofthem.
Tanishahesitated.Thebrightorangeberrieslookedverytempting,andshelovedraspberries."Well,seeingasyouhaven'tchokedorfainted,IsupposeIcouldtryone."
Taniarolledhereyes."You'resuchadramaqueen."Sheteased,asTanishapoppedaberryintohermouth.
"Ohwow!Thisisreallygood."Tanishaadmittedandpickedmanymore.
Tanishahadeatenaboutadozenberries,whenshesawTaniagrinning."What?"Sheaskedpuzzled."Aremylipsorange?"Shefishedoutatissuefromherpocket.
"No,yourlipsarefine.Iwasjustthinking,theberrycouldhaveaslowactingpoison,orjustgiveyouanupsetstomach.Youshouldn'teatso
26
many."
TanishastaredatTania."What?Whyareyoutellingmethisnow?Whydidn'tyoustopmeearlier?"
"Relax."Taniasmiled."I'mjustmessingwithyou."
"Reallynotcool,Tania."Tanishafrowned,andthegirlscontinuedwalking.
"No,butreally,it'sokaytotryoutwildberries,butit'sbetternottooverdoit.Imean,youcouldjusthaveanallergicreactionorsomething."Taniaexplained.
"Hmm.Ihadn'tthoughtofthat.WhenIgoontrekswithmyparents,wenevertastewildfruitandberries."
"Whynot?They'reoftendelicious.Myparentstrythemoutallthetime.IonceatetinywildstrawberriesinShimla."
TaniatoldTanishaaboutvariouswildfruitshehadeaten.Theywereenjoyingchattingastheywalked,whenTanishanoticedsomething."Hey,lookhere.Thegroundisblack.Itlookslikeithasbeenburnt.Iwonderwhathappened."
Tanialookedaroundandahead.Theburntlandseemedtostretchaheadforquiteadistance.Itwaslitteredwithafewburnttreestumps.ThenTanianoticedsomething."HeylookTanisha,there'sanelectricaltower.Doyouthinkthiswascausedbyanelectricalfire?Ithasbeenquitehotanddry.Thismorningwasthefirstcloudyonewehavehad,sincewearrived."
"Maybe.Icoulddowithsomecloudsnowthough."Tanishasaid,wipingthesweatoffherforeheadwithahandkerchief."It'sveryhotandsunny,andtheclimbisgettingsteep."
"Let'stakeabreakanddrinksomewater."Taniasuggested."AndI'llcarrythebackpackforawhile.Thatshouldhelpyoucooldown."
27
Alittlelater,thegirlscameuponavillage."Oh!Thismakessense.ThepathwasmadebythevillagerswalkingtoNainitalmarket."Tanishadeduced.
"Great,soweareontherighttrack.Let'skeepgoing."Taniadidnotenjoywalkingthroughthevillage.Therewerepeopleandcowsandwoodfires.Shepreferredthequietcleanairoftheforest.Thevillagewassmall,andtheyweresoonpastit.
Thesteepascentcontinued,andatsomeplacesthegirlsneededtogetontheirhandsandkneestofindtheirbalance.Soonthewindingmudpathjoineduptoastonepath."Leftorright?"Taniaasked.
Thegirlslookedaroundwonderingwhichwaytogo.That'swhentheysawanoldergirlinherteensapproachingfromtheleft.Shewaswearingaschooluniform."Let'saskher."Tanishasuggested.
Thegirltoldthemthattheyneededtogoleftandjustfollowthepath."Aboutakilometeraway,thispathconnectstoaverysteepsetofstonestairs.Atthetopofthestairs,isapark.Justtakealeftontheroadinfrontoftheparkandfollowitforafewminutestoreachthelake."Sheconcluded.
TaniaandTanishathankedher.Shenodded,andthenwalkedontowardsthevillage.
"HeylookTania,aChristmastree!"Tanishaexclaimedpointingatthetreethatstoodnexttotheintersectionofthemudandstonepaths.
"Wow!That'shuge.Wouldn'tfitinahouse,forsure!"Taniasaidfeelingthesmoothgreenneedleshapedleaves.
Fromthatpointonthewalkbecamemorepleasant.Thepathwaswide,moreorlesslevel,shadedbytalltrees,andtherewasaslightcoolbreeze.
Thegirlsmerrilysprintedonward,untilTaniaspottedafamilyofmonkeyscrossingthepathatadistance.Theseweregraywithwhite
28
beards,unlikethebrownmonkeysshehadseenbefore."Iwanttoletthempass."ShetoldTanisha."I'vehadenoughcheekfrommonkeysforoneday."
TanishalaughedrememberinghowtheenterprisingbrownmonkeyhadstolenthekafalbranchfromTania.Taniaglaredather.
Inalittlewhile,thegirlsreachedthesteepstonestairs.Theylikedclimbingstairsandtriedtoraceeachothertothetop,wheretheyfoundtheparktheteenagerhadtoldthemabout.Rememberingthegirl'sadvice,theytookaleftandfollowedtheroad,andloandbehold,inabouttenmoreminutestheywereattheedgeofthelake.
"Wemadeit,wemadeit."Thegirlssangout,holdingeachotherandjumping.Theyhadalreadyseenthemarket,whentheyhadcomewiththeirparents,butitwasthrillingexploringitallontheirown.
Apavedroadranalongtheedgeofthelake.Thefishesinthelakewerelarge,colorful,andnumerous,andtheyclusteredtowardstoedgeofthelaketofeedonalgae,sotheywereeasytospotfromtheroad.Everysooften,acyclerickshawtransportingwideeyedtouristswouldwhizzpastthegirls.Theothersideoftheroad,waslinedwithsmallshopssellinganassortmentofclothes,jams,pickles,jewelry,toys,andahostofothertrinkets.
ThegirlsboughtscarvesandwoodentoysfortheirfriendsinMumbai.Theyhadagaytimecheckingoutthecuriousnoveltyitemsandtoys.Taniatriedoutahat,butitwastooexpensiveforhertoaffordwiththelittlepocketmoneyshehadleft.
"Ohthisfeelsjustlikethefairs,thatthosekidsintheEnidBlytonbooksgotoallontheirown."Tanisharemarked,blissfullychompingacreamyeclairshehadboughtatthebakery.
Taniahadalreadyfinishedherowneclair,andpackedupafewchocolatechipcookiesforSonia.Shehadbeenfeelingbad,thattheyhadtoleaveSoniaout,butSoniawastooyoung.AsTaniawaitedforTanishatofinishhereclairattheedgeofthelake,shecheckedher
29
watch."Ohmygoodness.It's4:30!"Sheexclaimed.
"What?That'simpossible."Tanishaalmostdroppedthelastbitofhereclairinpanic."Wehavetobehomebefore5:00.Everyonewillbeupbythen,Tania.Wearegoingtobeinsomuchtrouble.Whatdowedo?"
"Well,gosh,don'tpanic.Thatdoesn'thelpatall.Iguessweareinforquiteascolding,butonthebrightside,thesundoesn'tsetforanothertwohours,soweshouldbeabletomakeitbackbeforeit'sdark.Thankfully,onceweareonthemudpath,it'llbedownhillalltheway,soweshouldbeabletomovequickly."
Thegirlsmadetheirwaybackthroughthecrowdedroadwithloadsoftouristspouringinforeveningboatrides.Carskeptspeedingby,andTaniabegantofeelscared."Let'skeeptotheabsoluteedgeoftheroad,"shesaid,"sowedon'tgetrunover."
Tanishanodded."Holdmyhand.Therearesomanypeopleandhawkers.Idon'twantustogetseparated."TaniaagreedandfirmlycaughtontoTanisha'shand.
Thegirlsploddedon.Whenthereachedthepark,Taniaheavedasighorrelief."Atleasttherewon'tbeanymorecars."Shepointedout.
"True."Tanishaconceded."Let'swalkfastthough.Ourparentsaregoingtobesoworried."
Ashardastheytried,thegirlscouldn'twalkfast.Theexhaustionoftheday'sactivitieswascatchinguptothem.Theirlegsstartedtofeellikejelly.Theyhadwalkedaboutsixkilometersinthemorningwiththeirparents,andthenthreekilometerstoNainital.Alotofthatjourneyhadbeenasteephikeoverthemountain,andthentheyhadstrolledaroundthemarketsofNainitalforoveranhour.Unusedtosuchrigorousexercise,theirmusclesweregivingway.
Feelingmiserable,thegirlstrudgedon,thinkinglonginglyofhomeandsleep.Theybarelysaidawordtoeachother,worryingaboutwhattheir
30
parentswouldsaywhentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddone.
ThenTaniasmelledsmoke.Shelookedupandrealizedthatalittleaheadtheairwasthickwithacridsmoke."Canweevengothatwaythroughallthatsmoke?"Tanishaasked.
"Wedon'thaveachoice."Taniamumbledandploddedonwithferociousdetermination.Tanishafollowed.Asbadasthesmokeseemed,shedidnotwanttobeleftalone.
"HeyIfoundourChristmastree.Lookthemuddypathisrightnexttoit."Let'sturnontoit.We'llbehomesoon.Oratleastwewillbeatthevillagesoon.Thenmaybewecancallourparentsfromthere,sotheydon'tworrytoomuch."
Tanishacheeredup,untilsherealizedtheywouldbewalkinginthedirectionwherethesmokewasgettingthicker."Wecan'tgothatway."Shecomplained."Theremaybeafirerightahead.Itcouldbedangerous."
"ComeonTanisha,thisisnotthetimetobeascaredy-cat."Taniafeltimpatient."Weneedtogettothevillage,sowecancallourparents,andthengethomebeforesunset."
TanishapausedtolookattheChristmastreeandsomethingdidnotseemrighttoher.Suddenly,sheknewwhatitwas."Idon'tthinkthisistherightChristmastreeTania."Shesaid."Thatonewasalittlefurtherawayfromthecornerwherethetwopathsmet.Also,itwastaller,wasn'tit?"
"Don'tbesilly.AmudpathmeetsthestonepathandthereisaChristmastreeatthecorner.Ithinkwe'vewalkedabouttherightamountoftimetoo.Seeit's5:00.Comeonenow."Taniawaslosingpatience.
"Thereisnopointtakingthewrongpath."Tanishaprotested."Itwillonlymakemattersworse."
31
"It'snotthewrongpath.You'rejustworriedbecauseofthesmoke.Comeonnow.Don'tbeababy.Rememberwesawthoseburntpatchesofforest.Theareamustbeonfireagain.Thismustbetherightroute."
Tanishasighed.ShewasnomatchforTania'spigheadedness.SheknewTaniafeltresponsibleforgettingthemintothemessandwasdeterminedtogetthemoutquickly.Sotherewasnoconvincingherthatshemaybemakingamistake.Taniasimplywouldn'thearofit.
TanishagaveinandfollowedTania.TherewasapossibilitythatTaniawasright.Hermemorycouldbeplayingtricksonher,orthesmokecouldbemakingthingslookdifferent.
Astheywalkedon,itwasbecominghardertoseeanything.ButTaniaploddedon,untilshesawsomethingthatwastooscaryforher,eveninherstateofsinglemindeddetermination.Afewhundredmetersahead,shesawawalloffirespreadingandgrowing.Terrifiedshescreamedandbegantocry.Then,shehadaviolentcoughingfitfrombreathingintoomuchsmoke.
Tanishawasscaredtoo,butseeingTaniabreakdown,oddlycalmedher.Sherealized,thatitwasherturntobebraveandtakecharge."Tania,thereisaslightwindblowingtheotherway."Shenoted."Sodon'tworry.Thefirewontcometowardsus.Wejustneedtoretreat.That'sall.Comeonnow."
"It'sallmyfault.Ididthis.Weshouldneverhaveleftthecottagesneakily.IamsosorryTanisha."Taniacried.
"It'sokay,Tania.Don'tbeatyourselfup.Ilovedouradventure.We'vejusthadalittlebadluck.Comeonnow.Let'sgo.Iknowyoucandoit."
Tanishaledonandthegirlsretracedtheirsteps.Afterafewminutes,withthesmokegettingthick,andwiththesunhavinggonebehindamountain,Tanishacouldbarelysee.Hereyeswateredfromthestingingcausedbythesmoke.Shelosttrackoftheirpath.Shehadnoideawhereshewasgoing,butsheknewshehadtostaystrongforTania.
32
ShesaidnothingaboutbeinglosttoTania,andcontinuedtomarchonconfidently.ShecalmlyluredTania,asfarawayfromthefire,asshecould.Oncetheygotfarenoughaway,sheurgedTaniatositdown.ShepulledoutthejuiceboxesfromthebagandgaveonetoTania.Forthenextfewminutesthegirlssatquietlydrinkingjuice.
"Aren'twegoingtocontinue?"Taniaasked,feelingbetter.Sheputawaytheemptyjuiceboxesintotheouterpocketofthebackpack.
"No.Notyet."Tanisharepliedlookingaroundandmumblingsomethingtoherself.
"Whynot?"Taniawasbewildered."Wehavetogetback,Tanisha."
"Iknow,"Tanishaagreed,"butIhavenoideawherebackis.Let'sclimbupthattreeandtrytofindourbearings.There'snopointrunningaroundincircles.Let'sfigurethisout."
TaniawasamazedtoseeTanishasocalm.Tanishawasscaredofwildfruits,adventures,dogsandsmoke.Butnow,inthiscrisissituation,allTaniacouldthinkwasifshewouldevermanagetofindherparentsagain,whileTanishaworkedonawaytomakeithappen.
"Tanisha,I'mreallysorryIwassopigheadedneartheChristmastree.Ishouldhavelistenedtoyou.Iwasbeingverystupid."TaniacouldbarelymeetTanisha'seyes,butsheforcedherselftodoit.Tanishadeservedaproperapology.
"Don'tworryaboutitTania.Ishouldhavestooduptoyou.ButIdidn't.Youhaveaforcefulpersonality.Whenyoufeelcertainaboutsomething,youjustgoforit,andwildelephantscan'tstopyou.Itoomustlearntoholdmyown,whenIknowIamright.We'lllearnfromeachotherintime.Butnowlet'sfigureoutwhatwearegoingtodonext."
Tanialookedatherwatch."Wehavearoundhalfanhourofdaylightleft,andperhapsanotherfifteenminutesoftwilight.Weneedtoatleastfindourwaytothevillagebythattime."
33
Tanishahadbeenscanningthelandscape."Heywhattimedidyousayitwas,whenwewerearguingattheChristmastree?"
Taniafrowned,tryinghardtoremember."Ohyes,itwas5:00.Iremembernow,becauseitwasthesameamountoftimeittookustoreachNainitallakeafterwemetthegirlwhogaveusdirections.SoithadtobethecorrectChristmastree,right?"Taniaaskedpuzzled."Isitjustthatourwayhomeisblockedbythefire?"
"No.Idon'tthinkso."Tanishadeclared."Yousee,whenwewerewalkingtoNainital,wewereexcitedandfarmoreenergetic,sowewalkedfasterandevenranthroughbitsofthepath.Onthewayback,weweretiredandwalkingslowly.Also,wehadtowalkslowerthroughthetraffic,beforewereachedtheparkonourwayback.So,ifIestimatecorrectly,itwouldhavebeenatleastanother5to10minutesbeforewereachedthecorrectChristmastree.
"Ihadn'tthoughtofitthatway,butitmakessense."Taniaagreed.
"Now,IseeafewmoreChristmastreesfurtheraheadoftheoneweturnedat.Let'swalkoverandtrytofigureoutwhichoneweneedtoturnat."Tanishasuggested.
"Aye,Captain!"TaniasalutedandletTanishatakethelead.AsTaniafollowedTanishadownthetreetheyhadclimbedtogettheirbearings,sherememberedthesnakeshehadseenatthebaseofthekafaltree,earlierintheday.Butsheswallowedtheurgetomentionit.ShedidnotwanttorattleTanisha.Tanishahadafewsillyfears,Taniahadlearnedinthelastfewdays,butnowthatshehadseenhowcalmandlogicalTanishacouldbeunderimmensepressure,herrespectforherbestfriendgrewleapsandbounds.
Thegirlssoonfoundthatthelandmarktheyhadchosenwasuseless.ThereweremuddypathsjoininguptothestonepathnearseveralChristmastreesallstandingafewmetersapartfromeachother."Whatnow?"Taniaasked.
"Ithinkweshouldjustsitatthesideofthisstonepathandwait."
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Tanishasuggested."ManypeopletakethisroadtoandfromNainital.Rememberthatschoolgirlwesaw?Ialsonoticedquiteafewotherpeopleonourwayupthere.Hopefully,someonewillshowup,andwecanaskfordirections."
Taniahatedwaiting.Shepreferredaction.Asshewaitedhorriblethoughtscametohermind.Whatifthepathwasnotusedafterdark,especiallybecauseofthesmoke?Cometothinkofit,theyhadseenveryfewpeopleontheirwayback.Whatifdangerousanimalsprowledhereafterdark?Whatifthepersontheyaskedfordirectionskidnappedthem?
TanishasawTania'sanxiousfaceandgaveherahug."Thereisnothingelsewecando.Solet'sjustsitandwait.Howaboutweplayagametodistractourselves?"
Tanianodded.YetagainshemarveledatTanisha'scomposure.Shetookoutacoupleofsweetsforthemtosuckon,andtheybeganplayingtwentyquestions,keepinganeyeoutforpassersby.
Thesunsetanditstartedtogetchilly.Yetnooneshowedup.EvenTanishabegantolookworried.Thegirlskeptplaying,soastonotgiveintopanic.Suddenly,Taniaspottedtwotall,heftymenandanothershorter,thinoneatadistance.Withthelightfading,thegirlscouldn'tseemuch,butinthedimtwilight,theirexpressionsseemedsinistertoTania."Shouldweaskthem?"TanialookedatTanisha.
"No.Ithinkweshouldhide,sotheydon'tspotus."Tanishareplied,andTaniawasrelieved.Theycrouchedbehindsomebushes,hopingthemenwouldpassbywithoutnoticingthem.Theytriedtocalmtheirbreathing,soastonotmakeasound.Theywishedtheirheartswouldn'tpoundsoloudlyandgiveawaytheirhidingplace.Therewasnotellingwhatthesemenwoulddo,iftheyfoundtwohelpless,lostgirlsonadark,lonelypath.
35
LookWhoSavedTheDay
Atthecottage,tiredfromthemorningouting,everyonesleptsoundly.Nooneknewthatthegirlshadcreptout.NooneexceptCleo.Sheknewthegirlshadgonedownthepathhermasteroftentook.Peopleoftenleftthecottage,especiallyvisitors,andreturnedafterafewhours.SoCleocontendedherselfwiththescrunchieTaniahadgivenher,andwaitedforhertoreturn.ShelikedTaniaverymuch.
Soniawasthefirsttowakeupat5:00pm.ShewentlookingforTaniaandTanisha,hopingtoplayLegowiththem.Butshecouldn'tfindeitherofthemanywhere.Puzzled,shewentandwokeMamaup."Ican'tfindTania."Shesaid.
Mamawasfeelinggroggyandwasn'tinthemoodforsillygames."Idon'twanttoplayhide-and-seeknowSonia.Lookforhersomemore.Haveyoulookedinallherusualhidingplaces?"
"Ididn'tknowTaniawasplayinghide-and-seek.Okay,I'llgolookforher."Soniaranoffwithaspringinherstep.Whenshereturnedtenminuteslater,Mamawasawake.ShewaswakingPapauptotellhimitwasteatime.
"Ican'tfindTaniaorTanisha."Soniaannounced."I'velookedeverywhere."
"Howlonghaveyoubeenplayinghide-and-seek?"Mamaasked.
"Idon'tknowMama.Ijustwokeupandcouldn'tfindthem.Youtoldmetheyareplayinghide-and-seek."Soniawasfeelingquitemuddled.
Mamalaughed."Ohsorry,Sonia.Iwassleepy,andIthoughtyousaidyoucouldn'tfindTaniawhileplayinghide-and-seek.Let'sgolookforhertogether."
TheywenttoTaniaandTanisha'sroom,butthegirlswerenotthere,so
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theywentoutintotheyard."TANIA,TANISHA"Mamacalledoutloudly."It'stea-time."Sheshouted,hopingthatwouldenticethemtocomeoutofwhateverinterestingnookorcrannytheyhaddiscovered.Buttherewasnoresponse.
Tanisha'sparentsheardallthecommotionandcamedowntotheyard."What'sgoingon?"Tanisha'smotherasked.
"Ican'tfindthegirls."Mamasaid,worried.CleocamerunninguptoMamaandtriedtoclimbontoher."NotnowCleo."Mamasaid.Cleowentaway,sadtoberebuffedonceagain.
ThegrownupsandSoniasearchedeverywherearoundthehouse.ButtherewasnosignofeitherTaniaorTanisha.ThenTanisha'smothernoticedthatherbackpackwasmissingtoo."Thegirlsmusthavegonesomewhere."Shesaid,herlipspursed.
Everyonesearchedagaintoseeifthegirlshadleftanote,buttherewasnothingtobefound.Thecaretakernoticedallthecommotionandcametoaskifeverythingwasalright.Papatoldhimthatthegirlsweremissing.Acreaseofworryappearedonthecaretaker'sforehead."Itwillbesunsetsoon.It'snotgoodforthemtobeouttherealoneaftersunset.Theyaresoyoung."
WiththegrownupslookingforTaniaandTanisha,SoniawentofftoplaywithCleo.Cleowaspleasedtofinallyhaveaplaymate.Whywaseveryoneignoringhertoday,shehadwondered.ThrilledwiththeattentionSoniawasgivingher,CleoboundedofftogetthemangledscrunchieandgaveittoSonia,soshecouldplayfetch."LookMama,CleohasTania'sscrunchie."Soniacalledout.
"Cleo,ofcourse!"Thecaretakerexclaimedloudly,startlingeveryone."Sheisveryfondofthegirls.Shecantrackthem.Ihavetrainedhertodosometracking.Justgetmesomeclotheseachofthegirlsrecentlywore."Hesaid.
MamaandTanisha'smotherdashedofftogetthepajamasthegirlshadwornthepreviousnight.Theyalsobroughtalongsomesmellysocks
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thegirlshadwornonthehikethepreviousday.
ThecaretakergaveCleosomeinstructionsandthenhadhersnifftheclothesforsometime.Then,hegavehersomemoreinstructionswhilstpointingatPapaandTanisha'sfather.Cleolistenedwithherearsprickedup.Everyonewatchedinamazement.ItseemedlikeCleocouldunderstandeverythingthecaretakerwastellingher.Butthenshedartedoff,unexpectedly.Papasighed."Iguessitwastoomuchtohopefor.I'llgocallthepolice."
"Wait."ThecaretakerstoppedPapa,andpointedatCleo,whowascomingbackwithsomethinginhermouth.Itwasthelastshreddedbitsofthescrunchie.CleogaveittoMamaandthenlookedatPapaandTanisha'sfather."Shewantsyoutofollowher.Iwillcomealongtoo.Iknowtheareawell.Don'tworry.Wewillfindyournaughtydaughters."Hewinked.
Cleosniffedaroundforafewminutes,andthenconfidentlyboundedofftothebarbedwirefencebehindthecaretaker'scottageandthethreemenfollowed.Shewentthroughthebreakinthebarbedwire.
"Wait,IthinkIknowwherethegirlswent!"Thecaretakerblurtedout."ThisisashortcuttoNainitallake.Thelakeisonlyathreekilometerwalkthisway.Buthowtheyfoundthisout,Ican'timagine."
PapaandTanisha'sfatherfollowed,whileCleoandthecaretakerledon.Papawasreallyworried.Thesunwouldsetsoon.Whatiftheydidnotfindthegirls?Whathadpossessedthemtogoofflikethis,hewondered.
Backathome,Mamasatonchairclutchingthemangledscrunchie,staringatthewallinfront,hopingdesperatelythatCleowouldfindthegirlssoon.Nexttoher,Tanisha'smothersatfidgetingwithapineconeshehadpickedupfromthecoffeetable.Neitherofthemfeltliketalking.SoniatoofeltworriedaboutTaniaandTanisha,soshequietlyplayedwithherLegotopassthetime.
ThethreemenfollowedCleo,untiltheyreachedthevillage.Butthere,
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Cleowasconfused."Therearetoomanysmellsaroundhere.Soshecan'tfindthetrail.Butwecanjustfollowthepathuntilshecanpickupthescentagain."Thecaretakerexplained.
PapaandTanisha'sfathernodded.Oncetheywerepastthevillage,Cleoagainseemedsureofwhereshewasgoing.Thethreemenfollowedherupthesteepmountainpath.Tanisha'sfatherwasshorterthantheothertwomen,sohewashavingahardtimekeepingupwiththeirlongstrides.Theystopped,sohecouldcatchup.Butjustthen,Cleoseemeddistracted.Shewassniffingattheair.Papasniffedtoo,andhecouldsmellsmoke.
"Wasthereafirenearby?"Heaskedthecaretakerterrifiedthatthegirlsmighthavebeencaughtinit.
"Wehavebrushfiresallaroundthestateinthisseason.Thereisnothingtoworryabout.Thelocalsignitetheunderbrushtocreatecontrolledfires.Itisgoodfortheforest.Don'tworry,therewon'tbeanyonthispathtoNainital,though.Thefiresarelitatquitesomedistancefromthesevillagepaths."
Unfortunately,Cleowasdistractedbythesmokeandwouldn'ttrackanymore."IknowthepathtoNainitallake,solet'skeepgoing.Cleowillfollow,andwhenthesmokesmellsubsides,orshecansmellthegirlscloseby,shewillresumetracking."
Afewminuteslater,themenreachedtheendofthemudpathwhereitjoinedupwiththestonepath,nexttotheChristmastree,whichhadprovedtobeauselesslandmarkforthegirls.
Cleohadbeentrailingbehind,butshecaughtupwiththemandwalkedbehindthemonthestonepath.Butsuddenly,shebecamealertandstartedsniffingagain.Shegrowledsoftlyandlookedatthethreemen.Thensheheadedoffthepathtowardsthebushes."What'sgoingon?"Tanisha'sfatherasked,confusedbyCleo'ssuddenchangeofbehavior.
"Comeon,Ithinkshehasfoundyourdaughters."Thecaretakerexplained,andurgedthementofollow.Cleowasnowrunningtowards
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abush,yappingcheerfully.Suddenly,toeveryone'sgreatsurprise,twofrightenedlittlegirlsemergedfrombehindthebush.
"Papa."Taniacriedoutandhuggedhimsobbingwithrelief.Tanishatoohuggedherfather.ThenthegirlsbothhuggedCleo,whowassimplydelightedwithalltheattention.Theyboththankedthecaretakerforfindingthem.
"Wehavealottotalkabout,"Papasaid,"butfirstweneedtogethomeasfastaswecan.Thesunhasset,butatleastwehavealittletwilight,solet'smakethemostofit."
"Also,yourmotherswanttoseeyouassoonaspossible."Tanisha'sfatheradded,ashefinishedacallinformingthemothers,thattheyhadfinallyfoundthegirls.
TaniaandTanishadrankthelastoftheirwater,andthenwalkedhomewithPapa,Tanisha'sfatherandthecaretaker,allfollowingCleo,assheledthewayhome.Thegirlsdreadedthescoldingtheywouldgetoncetheygothome,buttheyfeltsafeandhappyonceagain.
"ThoseEnidBlytonadventuresareoverrated.Idon'tthinkIwanttohaveanotheroneeveragain.Imean,Ilovereadingthem,andthat'stheonlywayI'mgoingtoenjoythemfromnowon."TaniawhisperedtoTanisha.
"Yousaidit,sister."Tanishaagreed.
WhenthepartyledbyCleoreachedthecottage,theyfoundMamaandTanisha'smotherwaitingatthedoor.MamaengulfedTaniainarib-crackinghug.Tanisha'smothercriedtearsofreliefandthensimultaneouslytheyshouted,"Whatwereyouthinking?"
TaniaandTanishabeganwithhowtheyhadfoundthemapinadrawer.Theadventurestoriestheyhadbeenreading,madethemeagertohaveoneoftheirown.WhentheygottothepartaboutshoppingbythemselvesinNainital,bothmotherswerefurious.
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Theylaunchedintoalonglectureaboutroadsafety,inexperience,naivety,etc.Itwouldhavecontinuedforalongtime,ifithadn'tbeeninterruptedbySoniashouting,"Mama,Papa,Tania,Tanisha,Aunty,Uncle,comeseethis.Comeseethis!Lookwhat'shappening!"
EveryonerushedtothewindowwhereSoniawasstandingandsawwhatshewaspointingat.Largesectionsofthehillsidewereablazewithflamesshootinghighintothedarknightsky.Thesightwasmesmerizingandfrighteningatthesametime.Theycouldseethenearestfirespreading,rapidlyswallowingtheforestindiscriminately.Smokewasbillowingintotheair.
Allofthemwatchedthedestructioninsilence.TaniaandTanishacriedsilenttears,astheythoughtofthefiretheywerealmostcaughtin.
Finally,Taniaspoke."ThanksPapaandUncleforcomingandgettingus.Wearen'tsmartandbravelikethekidsinthebooks.Wegotcompletelylost.Ifitweren'tforyou,wemayhavediedtonight."Shesaid.Tanishanodded,sniffling.Then,together,thegirlstoldtheirparentshowtheyhadlosttheirwayandalmostwalkedintoafire.
"Mom,youdon'thavetotellusaboutdangers.Wefacedsomanytoday,wewerewrecks.WhenDadandTania'sPapaandthecaretakerwerecomingupthehill,wedidnotrecognizethem.Wehadnoideawhotheywereandwhattheymightdototwohelpless,little,lostgirls.Wehidbehindthebusheshopingtoescapetheirnotice,andthat'swhereCleofoundus.Runningawayfromthefire,andhidingbehindbushes,wehadplentyoftimetocontemplatehowstupidwehadbeen."Tanishaadded.
MamaandTanisha'smothersoftened.Thegirlshadbeenpunishedenough,andwhatcouldbeabetterteacherthanexperience."Iknowwehadbeenjokingwithyouaboutsecretpassagesandplans,andIlovethatyouareadventurousandimaginative,butyouneedtolearnalittleaboutcautionandsafetyintherealworld."Mamaexplained.
"Everykidwantstohaveadventures."Tanisha'smotherchimedin.
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"ButIhopethisexperiencehastaughtyou,thatalotofthedangersoftherealworldareglossedoverinadventurestories."Shewinkedandsmiled.
Themotherswererelievedandthankfulthatthegirlsweresafe.Thegirlshadobviouslylearnedalotofthingsthehardway,sotheydecidedtosaynomore.
Butnoteveryonewasfinished."Howcouldyouleavemebehind?Whydidn'tyoutakemealong?Iwantanadventuretoo."SonialookedaccusinglyatTaniaandTanisha.
"SorrySonia,butaren'tyougladyoudidn'tcome?"Tanishaasked."Thefirewassoscary."
"Youateeclairsanddidnotgivemeany."Soniashouted,tearsrollingdownhercheeks.
"Ohwait!Ijustremembered."Taniasaid,plungingherhandintoTanisha'sbackpackandpullingoutapackage."TheseareforyouSonia."ShesaidhandingSoniathepackage.
Soniacalmeddownandopenedthepackage."Yougotmecookies!"Shesquealedindelight."ThankyouTania.Ilikecookiesbetterthanadventures."
Shewasjustabouttopoponeintohermouth,butMamastoppedher."Afterdinner."SheremindedSonia,waggingherfingersternlyandSoniaputthecookiebackintheboxaftermakingamonkeyfaceatMama.
ThenTaniaandTanishawenttothankthecaretakerandCleoforbringingthemhomesafe.Theirparentstoothankedthecaretakerprofusely.
Thegirlshelpedthecaretakermakedinner.Itwasmuchlaterthanusual,becausehehadspentthetimehewassupposedtobecooking,outlookingforthegirls.Afterdinner,TaniaandTanishatookalltheir
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chickenbonesfromtheirplateandgavethemtoCleo.Cleowasdelighted.Thegirlsthenhelpedthecaretakerwashupthedishes.
Earlynextmorning,Taniawaswokenupbythesoundofraindropspeltingthetinroofofthecottage.Shewenttolookoutofthewindow.Itwasabeautifulsight.Therainhadwashedthefiresaway,andtheairsmelledsweet.
Theoutsideworldwasbeckoningherforanewadventure,butTaniaknewbetter."No."Shewhispered."NotuntilIamolder.I'mnotreadyforyou,yet."Perhaps,nextyear.Shehoped.
Ihopesotoo.BecauseIlovereadingaboutheradventures,don'tyou?
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Acknowledgment
Abigthankyoutomyhusband,usuallyknownasPapa,forclickingthephotosIusedinthecoverofthisbook.
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