MIDNIGHT RIDER PART 8

The glorious dawn chased the blemishes of the nightmare away from Roha's mind.After having a hearty breakfast of mouth-watering,local delicacies,the group set out again  to unravel the untainted serenity of Jalna.

                                                                                                          They hiked for hours,Forest spread around them in a vast labyrinth of ancient trees as a brighter jade filtered through the thick canopies,Air was cool.gilded and refreshing.Just as the Sun rose in its halo,illuminating the hill top in a warm,buttery haze,they stepped out of the green maze.

                                                     Enticing wafts of multi-hued flowers hailed them jovially.A meadow straight out of the fairy tales where you would expect a unicorn to stop by and nibble at bushes or Snow white to walk in any time.

''This is the Kalpa hill range,''The guide offered like a father bragging about his newborn child.

''Several tourists visit Jalna every year just to see this place.It is said that surrounding hills have secret grottoes,entrance to well-laid out nexus that were used by our ancestors to thwart the enemy forces.''

''So can we go and see those passages please?''ejaculated Kyra looking all worked up.

''No we can't because no one knows where those tunnels are or rather to be precise whether they exist or not-myth in my opinion,''

''But there must be some base to it.I mean underground caverns dug out in the bowels of the Earth is quite ommon in our country and for that matter throughout the world.So its quite plausible.''

''My dear child you're talking about something which isn't tangible.Had it been,then it 'd have been discovered long back by countless historians and archaeologists who came here for the same-people who had seen much more grays than you.''retorted Pratap singh who for some unknown reason looked agitated.

''Just enjoy the weather instead of indulging your mind in useless crap.''with that he immediately scurried off,

Roha frowned''Don't you think he was acting a bit strange?''

''Don't be ridiculous Ro!The man just got irritated by your endless questions,quite usual occurence.Thats all.''

''But..''

''You literally chuck to chuck those mystery novels out.You are starting to round on people.''Amish groaned.

''Stop it guys!Lets have some fun.''gushed Kyra,dragging her friends along with her.

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Not too far from the ebullient gathering,two men were meeting surreptitiously in the gloomy shroud of a cluster of trees.

''When is it coming?''the taller one enquired gruffly.

''Tonight at 12.Tell me the place.''replied the other in a low voice.

''Near the ruins of that old temple.I'll be there,but be vigilant.One more blunder and we'll be done for.Our corpses will rot on the forest floor just like his.''he shuddered.

''When he came to know,his fury was terrible to behold.He won't tolerate even slightest of slip.''

''I know!Don't worry it will be here and no one will know the better.''

Both the men slouched off stealthily in different directions,intent on avoiding detection.

                   Unnoticed went by them,the presence of three more persons,who had heard every word uttered and now stood rooted on the spot-sheer alarm and bewilderment on their faces.