Chapter 1: Sudden Snowfall
He frowned. There were seventeen names but the problem was how many will turn up? It had started snowing, big snowflakes mixed with sleet. Mr. Kuldeep Chauhan again glanced at the list of cyclists who had enrolled for the Annual Shimla Cycling Expedition.
He then looked out of the window of his shop. Shimla having snow early in the month of November! This was really something unexpected. He had never heard of it. Well, at least since he could remember! He was definite that tomorrow’s expedition will have to be cancelled. No one will come in this snowy weather, he thought. He will have to decide. Should he call all the cyclists now and announce the cancellation of the expedition or should he just wait and see how things turn out tomorrow?
It was getting dark outside; he decided to close the shop. He was sure that no customers would come in this cold weather, so sitting there was purposeless. And if it snowed heavily it would become difficult for him to reach his house at Annadale, some three kilometers from the Mall.
He locked up his shop, pulled his collar high to protect himself from the icy wind and braved himself to face the watery snowy flakes. “What the hell! All of them have already paid and it is not my fault that the weather has gone bad,” he said to himself. With seventeen thousand rupees in his pocket he decided to handle the situation depending upon the weather and the number of participants who will turn up the next day. This lifted up his mood a little.
Engrossed in thoughts of how much profit he will make without harassing himself into doing any work, he walked briskly through the nearly empty Mall Road. Just as he reached the Baljees, a popular restaurant, a youngster bumped into him nearly off balancing him on the slippery road.
“Hey, watch out,” he shouted sternly.
“Oh! Hello uncle,” the boy said. Mr Kuldeep Chauhan looked blankly at the youngster trying to figure out who he was.
“Don’t you recognize us, we are Harshit and Ishmit?” said the other boy.
“Oh yes, yes,” Mr. Chauhan said still unable to place them.
Harshit sensed that the organizer of the cycling expedition had not recognized them so he added to make things clear, “Uncle, we participate in your cycling expeditions every year.”
Mr. Chauhan remembered now. Of course, they were the twins of the famous criminal lawyer of Shimla, Mr. Amit Khurana. He was always confused about them. Their high energy level and love for playing pranks always gave him a headache.
“Oh Uncle, how can you forget us?” Ishmit said in mock seriousness.
“No, no,” Mr. Chauhan said, “Infact, I was thinking about you only. You are coming for the cycling trip tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yes, we will definitely be there at Sanjauli Bus Stand at 9 am sharp,” beamed Harshit, the younger twin.
Good heavens! These two will definitely come even if no one else turns up, Mr. Chauhan thought, but he wanted to be sure so he added, “Don’t you think it may become really difficult if it snows through the night? The roads might get blocked.”
“Oh no, uncle, it will be more exciting to cycle in the snow. Papa has recently bought us Hero Ranger DTB, a twenty gear beauty,” said Ishmit, the elder one, cheerfully.
Mr. Chauhan gave a smile but it did not reach his eyes. He had started feeling bitterly cold and wanted to move on. He was actually feeling low. What could he say to a nineteen year old boy full of energy and foolish ideas? Their parents must decide, he thought. He said bye to the boys and resumed his cautious but hurried walk back home, sweet home dreaming about hot cups of tea and a delicious dinner.
The twins looked at each other. “Bro, are you thinking what I am thinking?” said Ishmit.
“Yeah, this guy doesn’t want the expedition to take off,” replied Harshit.
“What the heck! We have paid him and I won’t allow him to cheat us,” Ishmit said agitated.
“Oh come on bro, don’t jump to conclusions. He is not cheating us, he is just worried about the weather,” Harshit tried to calm him down.
“Well, whatever! Snow cannot stop us. It is not a big deal. I won’t mind lugging the bikes in snow for a few kilometers. It would be fun.”
“I tell you, even if we are the only ones there tomorrow, I will force Chauhan uncle to go ahead with the expedition,” Ishmit continued.
“OK, calm down, we will see when tomorrow comes,” Harshit said quickly. “Come, let us have some momos at Trishul Bakery” he added trying to cheer up his brother.
“This is what I like about you. At least you can feel my pain,” Ishmit broke into a smile.
Harshit shook his head. “Pain!” he mocked him.
“How many times do I have to tell you that food is a stress buster,” said Ishmit in mournful voice, “I think you don’t know that it is going to be khichri for dinner. Dad has an upset stomach so everyone must have khichri.”
“I know and I have reminded you many times what Monsieur Voltaire has said on this,” said Harshit.
“What? Shoot your quotation again bro, I like these,” said Ishmit.
“He said that nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”
“I agree one hundred per cent,” beamed Ishmit as they entered the Trishul Bakery for hot and juicy garlic flavoured chicken dumplings.
