Adventures of Abhi Kowaski: The Lost Key

By A. K. Sharanya

Abhi Kowaski likes adventure and was too curious for his own good. He didnt realize that his inquisitiveness would land him in a whole new world from where it is almost impossible to return. No one seemed to know anything about his world and how to send him back home.

Oh, how he wished he had listened to his friends when they asked him to stay away from the secret tunnel. Now that he is in this new world, he has to make the best of it. There were many things that swept him off his feet, like flying on wild eagles through never-before-seen heavenly places, winning races, and surfing on high waves. Although fighting with a serpent headed monster is not something he looked forward to. Will he survive this deadly adventure?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503591394

Book preview

Chapter_1.tif

CHAPTER 1

First Day Of Spring

Once upon a time, there was a little boy called Abhi Kowaski, who lived in the decent suburbs of Princeton in New Jersey. He was one of the most kind and charming boy for a ten-year-old. He always liked helping his friends at school and loved playing basketball in his free time. His second most favorite thing was to ride his bicycle around the neighborhood and play in the park every afternoon. Abhi was a tall and handsome boy with little spiky hair in the front. His mother always said that his dark brown hair matched the color of his brown eyes and that he had the most charming smile she had ever seen. He was always curious to learn new things and used his imagination to make the best of his little world.

It was Friday afternoon, and Abhi was waiting for his mother to pick him up from school. While he was waiting, his thoughts were lingering somewhat like this: Hmm … If only Mom didn’t have to work, I could have gone home early like the other kids and didn’t have to spend three extra hours in the aftercare program at school. That would give me three extra hours to play after school … This very thought cheered him up. But then a tire-screeching sound of a car broke his thoughts express — that is what his mom called it when she saw him lost in his thoughts. He looked out of the great big window in the waiting hall and noticed that his friend Eddie’s mom was here to pick him up. He sighed a little and got back on his thoughts express. This was the first week of spring after a long cold winter, and the weather has just begun to get warmer. He didn’t want to lose any of his outdoor playtime. He even finished his daily reading work at his aftercare so he was free to play until dinnertime. A smile crept on his lips unknowingly.

It was six o’clock in the evening, and most of the kids had left. The school driveway was busy with parents randomly stopping by to pick up their kids from the aftercare. Just when Abhi was stepping away from the window, he saw a black BMW van pull up in the driveway. It was his mom. Abhi’s mother, Sharon Kowaski, was a tall, slim lady who worked as an IT professional. Like other modern working women, she was very strong and independent. She was diligent at her work, but she never let her work come in the way of her responsibilities as a mother.

Yay! It’s my turn to go home now, yelled Abhi in a joyful tone. He gathered his bag and jacket and bade good-bye to his teacher.

The teacher gave him a hug and said, Have a nice weekend, Abhi. See you on Monday.

As his mom walked in to sign him out, Abhi asked in a hushed tone, What took you so long? I was waiting for … like … ever!

Sharon smiled and said she was actually fifteen minutes earlier than usual. She knew Abhi would be waiting eagerly for her, as it was a fine sunny day.

As they got in the van, Abhi said playfully, "Yay it’s my Relaxing Friday! (That’s what he called Fridays, as his teachers didn’t give any homework on Fridays.) I can play all evening and sleep late, as I don’t have to wake up early on Saturday." His face glowed as he said that.

Sharon was smiling at his joy and said, Let’s first pick up your sister from daycare on our way back home.

Abhi had a little sister, Ridhi, who was three years old. She always kept him on his toes when she is awake.

As soon as they reached home, Abhi put his stuff away carefully and skipped toward the garage to bring his bike, yelling, Mom, I am going to the park. Can you please close the garage after me?

Sharon said, Okay, honey, but remember the rules— Abhi completed her sentence, saying, Yeah, yeah, I know … No talking to strangers, stay on the sidewalk, and look on both sides while crossing the road. In fact, he has heard that a million times before.

Abhi set out with his bike, and a big smile flashed on his face as he said to himself, Let the fun begin!

The spring’s cool wind was tickling his cheeks as he strode swiftly on his bike around the neighborhood, and the sun was still up and shining bright. After a long winter, people were coming out of their homes for nice evening walks, few were jogging, and some kids were playing with soap bubbles in their front yards. The very sight of smiling faces everywhere filled Abhi’s heart with joy. Abhi reached the park and was glad to see his friends, Larry and Ron, waiting for him. They all played the jungle gym for some time, and then few other kids joined them to play football. Most of them didn’t know one another’s names, but it didn’t matter to them as long as they were all having a good time playing. Such a wonderful stage is this childhood; the appreciation of companionship is so pure and beyond all materialistic things in the world.

Abhi returned home just in time for dinner and noticed that his father was already back from work. Abhi’s father, Dr. Steven Kowaski, was a professor in astrobiology at Princeton University and was always busy with his research work. It was dinnertime, and everyone gathered at the dining table.

How was your day, Dad? asked Abhi, with his eyes wide-open.

It was quite busy, dear, since the semester is coming to an end. Lots of things are needed to be taken care of at the university, said Steven.

What kind of work do you do, Dad? asked Abhi inquisitively.

His father smiled and replied promptly, "Abhi,