Lost and Found: A Drongo Hills Odyssey

I jolted awake to the sound of my mother's early morning call, questioning the perpetual habit of parents waking up their kids. Glancing at the clock, it was only 9:00. Then it dawned on me – my train was departing in two hours! Not that it mattered much; my backpack was already "packed" with a nonchalant approach. After a quick bath, I left home, bidding adieu, and reached the railway station just in time. The inevitable panic ensued as I realized I had misplaced my tickets. Amidst the laughter of my friends, who found humor in the situation, I miraculously found the tickets, thanking my stars as I settled into my seat before the train departed.

My destination was the Drongo Hills for a trek. We reached the base at 7:00 in the morning, fueled by hot pooris. With the roles of lead and sweep assigned, the trek began. The lead spearheaded the team, while the sweep, true to its name, swept the floor, collecting the stragglers. Filled with energy, I overtook the lead, reveling in the beauty of nature and the cool breeze. Lost in the moment, I realized I had ventured too far. Panic set in as I found myself alone with no one in sight.

Returning the way I came, I encountered a crossroad, bewildered about which path to choose. With my GPS uncharged, walkey-talky malfunctioning, and no cell signal, I decided to follow a stream to my right. After a nerve-wracking 300 meters, I encountered a five-headed snake. Terrified, I fell to the ground, uttering prayers. To my relief, the snake slithered away, and I continued walking.

After a three-hour trek, I stumbled upon a cave, presenting a dilemma – to go in or not. Seeking guidance, I devised a unique method with "IN" and "OUT" chits. The chosen chit instructed me to enter the cave. Inside, navigating through darkness with a small torch, I encountered a man sitting on a buffalo with thorns. Petrified, he advised me to retrace my steps to find my group. While contemplating the absurdity of the advice, I headed back, rejoining my team at the crossroad.

Sharing my misadventure, my friends burst into laughter, but I made a promise to guide them to the cave the next day. As I led them in the morning, to everyone's disbelief, the cave had vanished. Despite the skepticism, I held a secret – now I knew where God resided.