When Kapil arrived at school today, his beautiful eyes shone with a unique sparkle. He placed his bag on his seat and patted his friend Rajat on the shoulder, "Come on, I'll throw you a great party this evening."
How come it's raining so low today?" Rajat noticed the joy on Kapil's face, then smiled, "You're so happy as if you've won a lottery." Kapil burst out laughing, "Lottery!" "Yes, friend, I've won a lottery. And not just any small one, but one bigger than the jackpot. "Really?" Rajat's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, a full 16 annas!" Kapil agreed. Then, taking an envelope from his pocket, he said, "You guys should see for yourselves." Rajat turned the envelope over and over. "It seems to be a letter from your mother. Yes, my heart, for the first time in my life, you've written a letter to me!" Kapil's voice choked with joy. Rajat saw the expression on Kapil's face. A strange joy lingered there. He lightly patted Kapil's shoulder. Then he took the letter out of the envelope and began reading it. A few lines were written in broken language.
My son,
Accept your mother's blessings. My eyes yearn to see the piece of my heart. Son, you'll be happy to know that your father built a huge temple of the Mother Goddess in Nahargarh. Its worship is held during Navratri. Your father didn't want to invite you yet. But this time your mother didn't let him. I sat hungry and thirsty for five whole days. Your father was very angry right now. He yelled at me, but only when he insisted on inviting you did I eat his food. Your school will also be closed for Navratri. Ratan Singh will come to pick you up. Come with him by train to Lakhisarai. You'll find your new car parked there. Many blessings.
Your mother.
I'm going to Nahargarh after five years. Mother came to visit me in Delhi two years ago. I haven't seen her since. I'm longing to eat food cooked by her. Tears welled up in Kapil's beautiful eyes as he spoke. Rajat patted his shoulders once more, "Was he telling me that the area around Nahargarh was very beautiful?"
Yes, very beautiful. Kapil closed his eyes and recalled the picturesque scenery of his area, with its gurgling rivers and waterfalls cascading down the high hills. Then he said, "Our Nahargarh can rival Kashmir in terms of beauty."
Would you like to go there with me on vacation?
Of course I'll go! Rajat jumped with joy.
Kapil's father, Dil Rai, owned several bauxite mines in Nahargarh. He used to be a simple truck mechanic. Gradually, by saving money, he bought three old trucks one by one. With them, he began taking contracts to transport bauxite from the mines. Gradually, he gained a good understanding of the bauxite mines. A bauxite mine in Nahargarh had been closed for many years. Most people believed that extracting bauxite from it would be a loss-making venture. But Rai, from Delhi, believed that a significant amount of bauxite could be extracted from this mine. Despite everyone's disapproval, he sold his tracks and purchased the mine.
Dilip Rai began extracting bauxite from the opposite side from which the previous owners had extracted it. His bet proved correct; it was bought for a pittance. The mine began to yield gold for him. From then on, Dilip Rai never looked back. With the income from this mine, he purchased new mines one after another. Gradually, he acquired most of the mines in the area. He became known as the Bauxite King throughout the Nahargarh area.
As Dilip Rai's empire grew, so did the number of his enemies. Five years ago, some people attacked him, and he narrowly escaped with his life. Since then, he sent his only son, Kapil, to a boarding school in Delhi, far away from Nahargarh, to study. He frequently traveled to Delhi for work. Then, he would take Kapil on a trip. He would never return to Nahargarh without meeting Kapil. He loved Kapil very much, and Kapil was also a role model for his father.
Delhi Padhai had married Kamini Devi, a poor girl from the same village, a long time ago. She was a cultured woman. Even after earning money, she couldn't adapt to modern life, which is why Dilip Rai wouldn't bring her with him to Delhi. Two years ago, she came to Delhi once after winning a lot. That's when Kapil finally met her. Kapil and Rajat were ninth-grade students. Exams were still far away, so Rajat got permission from his parents to go to Nahargarh with Kapil. Both friends were very excited and had made elaborate preparations for the trip.
Ratan Singh, with his large mustache, came to Delhi to pick them up. He was a very trusted employee of Delhi Padhai and had been associated with him since his early days. Ratan Singh was like a family member in their family. For safety, he always carried a gun with him. After traveling overnight by train from Delhi, the three arrived in Lakhisarai at 9:00 a.m. It was a small station. After that, the mountainous terrain began. Nahargarh was 85 kilometers away. The new Delhi study train was already available at the railway station.
Everyone boarded the vehicle and headed towards Nahargarh. Nestled among the high hills, Nahargarh was the main town in the area.
Besides Nahargarh, these hills were dotted with small tribal settlements, which is why the entire area was known as Nahargarh. The area was even more beautiful than Kapil had described. Rajat was mesmerized by the beauty of nature scattered among the high hills. He felt like escaping the hustle and bustle of Delhi and settling there forever.
About an hour later, Kapil said, "Uncle, there used to be a dhaba on the way yesterday where the jalebis and kachoris were very famous. Son, yesterday's dhaba was no longer there," Ratan Singh explained. Kapil's face fell. He always ate the jalebis and kachoris from yesterday's dhaba every time he passed this way. He had secretly planned to eat them today as well. His son, Kallu, also known as Kailash, had made great progress in the meantime. His old dhaba has now become the magnificent Great Kailash Restaurant, Ratan Singh said with a smile. "Uncle, you broke my heart!" Kapil put a hand on his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. Then he said, "Does the restaurant only serve lunch, dinner, and fast food, or does it still serve jalebis and kachoris?" "They serve everything," he said. "But Kailash has opened a separate counter for jalebis and kachoris, and he still makes them under his supervision," Ratan Singh said. Kapil looked at Ratan Singh's face for a few moments, then said in a flattering tone, "Uncle, my father told us to come to Nahargarh without stopping on the way, but you know I love the jalebis and kachoris here. I can't move on without eating them."
I know, brother, I know everything. I still remember that one time you stole 10 rupees from my pocket to eat jalebis and kachoris and rode your bicycle to yesterday's dhaba." After that, your father took such great care of you," Ratan Singh said, making a face.
Hearing this, Rajat turned to Kapil and said, "So, you used to steal in the village. If I had known that, I would never have befriended you."
Hearing this, Kapil became flustered, then composed himself, saying, "Oh, nothing, my friend. Uncle has a habit of joking. He keeps teasing me like this."
Before Ratan Singh could say anything, Rajat quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on his head. He looked away, "Yes, Uncle, now tell me quickly, were you joking or telling the truth?"
Ratan Singh freed his hand and lightly patted Rajat on the head, then laughingly said, "The truth will be decided later. Look, that's Kal Ka Dhaba, aka Great Kailash Restaurant. Let's go there first and eat hot jalebis and kachoris, then we'll talk leisurely."
But I'll only come down on one condition.
What condition?" "Do this, tell me, will you eat two less kachoris?" Rajat asked. "I'm not going to eat anything. It's been a long time since I've had the chance. Today, I'll eat my fill," Kapil said in a raucous tone. "First, stealing, and then stealing the chest. Brother, that's a good spectacle." Rajat's voice also rose. "Hey, you guys, it's not Ludo. I'm making a decision," Ratan Singh said, stopping them both. "There will be only one decision. This thief will have to eat two kachoris less than me." Rajat reiterated the condition. "I've already said I'll eat only when I'm full," Kapil reiterated his claim. "Hey, brother, wait," Ratan Singh put his hands on their shoulders and said in a loud voice, "Kapil, you eat to your fill, and your friend will eat two more kachoris than you, and both of your conditions will be met." Oh, such an easy decision! Rajat's eyes lit up with delight. "Long live Uncle Ratan," Kapil waved his fist in the air. "Long live, long live," they raised their hands.
The Great Kailash Restaurant was quite crowded. Near the entrance, on the right, there was a separate counter for jalebi and kachori. Chairs were placed in front of it, sitting in the sun. Jalebi and kachori were also served from this counter to the restaurant's patrons.
Ratan Singh sat down in the sun with Kapil and Rajat. Kapil couldn't resist. He went to a counter and bought a large selection of jalebis and kachoris. Rajat was also very hungry, and he pounced on them too.
How did you like the jalebis and kachoris? Kapil asked, putting a large jalebi in his mouth.
So delicious and delicious that even if I had to get beaten up a couple of times for eating them, the deal wouldn't be complete. Rajat smiled, rolling his eyes.
You're right, friend. It was a long time ago. I'd been asking my father to eat here for a long time. He'd make plans and then postpone it. I couldn't resist, so one day, I stole a 10 rupee note from Uncle Ratan's pocket and cycled 20 km with Kapil to come here. The road was very bad then. So for some distance Kapil would ride the cycle with me sitting on it and then after some distance Kapil would ride the cycle in the living room.
By the time we reached here, the condition of both of them had deteriorated and Kapil confessed his crime with a Kachori in his mouth. So with whom have you come here, with Kapil? Brother, Kapil is yourself. First you used to ride the cycle by making yourself sit on it and then you would get down and sit on it and ride the cycle yourself. What nonsense are you talking? Have you gone mad after seeing your favourite Kachori Jalebi? Rajat glared at him while chewing the Kachori.
If you are mad, then I was just saying that Kapil and I, again the same crazy talk, hey Kapil, you are the one Rajat got angry interrupting him.
"Hey, brother, no, Lado, you two are right in your own right." Ratan Singh looked at them both intently and then said to Rajat, "Actually, his best friend's name is also Kapil. Or Kapil Rai, and that Kapil Munda. They studied together and were always pranksters."
So I should have told this fool this sooner." Rajat glared at Kapil. "Yes, friend, I'm completely crazy too. Unless I tell anyone this, they'll think there's two Kapils." Kapil hit his head and said, "According to me, we both hit a big target, but when we got home, my father gave me a good thrashing, and then I came to my senses. Believe me, I haven't stolen anything since then." So, you admit you were a thief before." Rajat glared at him. "Yes, brother, I admit it." Kapil laughed, holding his ears, then turned to Ratan Singh and asked, "Uncle, what is Kapil doing these days?"
He's a very nice boy. He goes to school 8 kilometers from Nahargarh." Along with that, he helps his father in farming. Kapil's fields produce the best crops in the village. Besides, he also comes first in his school, Ratan Singh told in a proud tone. Kapil was very happy to hear his friend's praise. Within a short time, everyone once again started towards Nahargarh. The road ahead was very picturesque. Kapil kept telling Rajat about his friend for a long time. After about three km, at a turn, a waterfall falling from the top of Murti mountain became visible.