Cleopatra

By SANKAR RAJEEV

As it was early morning previous night‟s hang over still enveloped those tourists who had consumed more than adequate quantities of mood elevator. While enjoying a cup of coffee, there was expectation on their face to spot a tiger. Tiger is the national animal and spotting one in the wild is a test of hunter‟s ability. There were few of the locals around Pench Reserve Forest who said that "Tigers some time walk harmlessly on the road by the side of the vehicle".  People who went out the previous day were not very positive as none of them could spot a tiger. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book rivers
• Release date: Sep 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9789389914153

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By

SANKAR RAJEEV

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Website: www.bookrivers.com

Email: [e-mail]

Mobile: [phone]

Place: Lucknow

Year: 2020

MRP: 200/-

ISBN: 978-93-89914-15-3

Copyright©: SANKAR RAJEEV

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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DISCLAIMER

T

his is purely a work of fiction and all characters and events narrated are the imagination of the author. Inadvertently if it matches any living or dead or organization or profession or theological practices and in any way relates to reality which may be completely different from the actuality is only coincidental. Certain ideas from professional knowledge which contributes to authenticity and are the work of research have been endorsed from bits and pieces available in various sources and adapted to improve and impart knowledge. The aim has been purely to eliminate incorrect analysis.

Thank you

Sharmila

for all the help

PROLOGUE

The roads leading to the Kipling Resort from Nagpur are well maintained and once the vehicle crosses the crowded lanes of the city it can maintain a reasonable speed. A group of friends decided to spend time together. So the wild choice was Pench Reserve Forest. Most of the companions have not heard about it. Some who have visited other reserve forests had a premonition that it would be another exercise in futility. Jolly could not agree further and said we spend three days at Gir Reserve Forest, but never found any wild animal except say few domesticated ones. As for Frank and Sequierra it was a strange outing, not planned but a reason to be with friends. 

Cottages at the resort appear to have been constructed long back. They were laid out in a crescent shape. In all there were about twenty of them. Some of them were single structure and others duplex. The scene of looking for rooms was changed with the sighting of a mother and son up in the tree of the grey langur breed.

What was appreciable was that unlike irresponsible children who are in the habit of teasing monkeys with an aura of superiority complex, girls and boys of this group were respectful towards the animals. One by one the couples started disappearing into the allocated cottages, and being allotted No 19, Frank was the last to reach. The beds provided in the room No 19 were unique, may be the case with other rooms as well, possibly designed by a sadist who kept his animated feeling towards the couple which comes enjoy and go.

As it was early morning previous night’s hang over still enveloped those tourists who had consumed more than adequate quantities of mood elevator. While enjoying a cup of coffee, there was expectation on their face to spot a tiger. Tiger is the national animal and spotting one in the wild is a test of hunter’s ability. There were few of the locals around Pench Reserve Forest who said that Tigers some time walk harmlessly on the road by the side of the vehicle.  People who went out the previous day were not very positive as none of them could spot a tiger.

While waiting at the lobby for the others who went to fetch the identity documents from the cottages, it was even though early morning an occasion for the girls to catch up with gossips. Gossips amongst girls stretched from the Bhutan trip to purchases during a visit to Gir forest. The blown up photograph of a fully grown tiger positioned on the wall caught the attention of two men. After ensuring that all are in, Michael gave the pecking order. Christopher was the first one to find that he was grouped with Manisha in the manifest.

Manisha and her husband Anirudh were in altogether a different group, which had only two male occupants with Tom and Camilla showing disinterest in making a journey through the safari. In all there were four vehicles. Christopher had his share of luck to be grouped with Manisha and Elvyn in another vehicle. Each of the group was scrutinizing the companions and carrying out a SWOT analysis.

Contemplating on the next strategy Jolly moved into the vehicle along with Katrina. Hardy with Pamela was the third couple in this particular group. Finally first three vehicles of the group started, and 34 were stranded in the middle of nowhere waiting for the driver. At the barrier the guide who was expected to facilitate the group in sighting the tiger joined the tourists.

He occupied his seat in the rear row adjacent to Jolly. Understanding the predicament and helplessness Frank tried to lock his legs so that he did not fall from the vehicle. The vehicle now entered the Reserve forest from gate three. After moving some distance the group encountered a stream which was partially dry, but at places there was water. Sudden recollection from wild life clips seen in the television during various programs indicated that wild animals may be frequenting these places for water. The intuition was right and by the side of the road there were pugmarks and the guide conformed that it was of a full grown tiger.

More than the breakfast which was carried along, Tom found the tea shop more attractive. One of the girls had patience to go to the vehicle and fetch breakfast while others waited for the arrival of the items ordered by Tom or the breakfast loaded in the vehicle from the resort. It was balanced, but the girls and boys preferred the bun fritters with tea which Tom procured for them. Some had seen the spotted deer, few others wild boar but until then no one had sighted a tiger. Monkeys were plenty but only some groups had come across them. All in all everyone was convinced that sighting tiger in this sanctuary is a difficult job. On one side of the road the area was leveled as if grass cutting machine had been run over a number of times where as on the other side of the road which was fenced, there was approximately six feet high grass. This strange combination caught the attention of Hardy. There was wild boar grazing and a herd of spotted deer. It appeared to the tourists that they were unmindful of any threat in this reserve forest which also has carnivorous animals.

Near water source well concealed from the public view was a male tiger probably six or seven years old. Sensing an intruder with the arrival of the male tiger, the tigress got up but he continued to remain in the vicinity despite the latter’s disapproval. This hide and seek game was going on for some time. Peace and tranquility continued till the time distance was maintained. Both these tigers were probably in their youth and definitely required each other’s company being compatible. Slowly there was a move forward made by the male tiger.

From nowhere they witnessed a group of peak cock. After capturing some good movements of the peacocks, the tourists moved ahead. By evening they had given up hope of sighting the tiger probably due to lack of experience. 

When the party in 34 reached the resort two other groups had already arrived. An afternoon nap was out of question, so there were alternate plans to occupy the time. Those girls and boys who carried swimming costume which was explicit in the introductory letter chose to spend some time in the plunge bath. Three couples went back to the cottage for freshening up. During the morning safari, Manisha was in the company of Christopher. Departure of Manisha from the plunge bath made Christopher a little bit anxious because he was of the expectation to explore little more in the swimming pool. Once inside the cottage, Anirudh moved for the tea kettle and proceeded to make a cup of tea. In the intervening time Manisha went in to the washroom and switched on the running water geyser. Wearing only the inner wear she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

The other couples who were into the plunge bath had an ebullient time. Christopher was anxiously waiting for Manisha, but the latter had other plans. The group 34 was allotted 78 for the afternoon safari. Hardy said may be that 78 is a lucky number and we will sight the tiger, holding his camera and for a second looked at it ensuring that the lens cover is in its place. After finding that it is well secured he got on to the vehicle and sat in the bucket seat adjacent to the driver leading the group. As he was stepping on to the vehicle Jolly told him wait for the girls.

The vehicles were lined up as done in the morning in a military precision which gave Jolly another opportunity to change his group. Frank and the girls were not sure