Chapter 26

 “Finally we reached the top of Mama hills at around 4 O’ Clock. We decided to stay there for the night. We were so tired and thirsty that we went straight to the restaurant. It is like a large gazebo with all sides open and the counter in the middle.  All of us ordered for beer. The waiter came with nice and chilled beer. Without waiting for any toast we poured it down our throats. I never thought the beer could taste so good.” Arjun was continuing with his story.

“Naturally it was the hunger and the thirst after a full day of trek that made the beer so tasty” Udhi commented

“We took up a cottage for the night. The cottages were basic.  It had three rooms and a sit out. Bike Thakkur and Rochika took one room. The rest of us piled on to the other rooms.”

“At nine o’clock we came down for dinner. Gurvinder had already reserved the open hut next to the restaurant for us to chill out for the evening. He had fixed up his music player and two portable speakers. Dire Straits was blasting and he was already nursing his beer” Arjun continued

“Come on guys. After a tiring and enriching day enjoying the beauty of the mother nature it is time to relax and become one with the nature; melting into time for a truly spiritual experience” Gurvinder placed his beer mug on the table extended his both arms  majestically and announced.

“Since when has guzzling beer become a spirituality enhancing experience Guruji” Neel asked with a bow of mock deference

“Who is talking about drinking beer? It is nothing but a thirst quenching concoction taken in excess could make you visit washroom often and feel light headed. I am talking about magic my dear son” Gurvinder replied

“What is this great magic up here at Mama hills? Or is there some swamiji giving discourse at the hotel?”  Arjun asked

“Wait for five minutes. We are going to experience the legendary magic mushrooms.” Gurvinder replied

“Oh My God. You are talking dangerous stuff Gurvinder.” Ruchika commented with a trace of fear in her voice.

“Lady you are misinformed. This is the nectar of Gods. The Somras in Vedas is nothing but extract of this. It gives you a special spiritual enlightenment and tolerance to the world around. As per “Stoned Ape Theory” the primates evolved to humans through the diatory use of visionary plants. Psilocybin the psychedelic substance in the magic mushroom is less addictive than the drinks you have and not harmful at all for human systems; unlike the cigarette you puff every half an hour my dear Arjun.”

“Looks like Gurvinder already had a shot at it” Neel commented

“How do have it? Are you supposed to smoke it” Ruchika asked

“No dear. We make an omelette with it and eat” Gurvinder replied

“That is interesting. It is like we adding Bhang to milk and drinking” Ruchika said

“Exactly. Now you are getting it” Gurvinder added

“Raghav let us all try it once” Ruchika was in an adventurous mood

“Are you sure you want to try it honey?” Raghav asked

“Why don’t we have an experience?” Neel asked

“I don’t mind trying it” Raghav came forward

“OK you guys experiment. I won’t have it as I don’t touch any intoxicants or mind altering stuff. I will keep company and keep watch for you guys” Joshua declared

“OK that is a good idea to have somebody keeping his sanity” Arjun agreed

“You enjoy this best when you have the right set and setting” Gurvinder was explaining.

“What the heck” Arjun asked

“If you want to enjoy this, you should do it the right way” Guvinder was getting ready for giving the armatures a primer on “Mushing”.

“Set means you should be very relaxed. You should have no tension and no urgency in your mind. Just have the omelette and let your mind drift listening to the songs. If you ask any anaesthetist who is going to make you sleep before a surgery also will tell you the same thing”

“Setting means you should cherish this with the right environment. We are all people who know each other and are confident of each other. That is good. We are not in a hurry as there is nothing urgent waiting for us early morning. We had good food and we are content. Now I will change Dire Straits and put some relaxing music” Gurivinder added.

“What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas” Neel stated philosophically

“Guruji does research on everything he tries. That is why experiments with him are safe adventures” Arjun commented

“In the next 10 minutes the omelettes reached. Guruji took the initiative of giving everybody the right amount. We sat there talking. In the background we had Clayderman on his piano.” Arjun

“How was the effect? Did all of you react to it the same fashion?” Udhi asked

 “We had the omelette and sat there chatting and listing to music. For about 15 minutes we felt nothing. Gradually we felt our head getting lighter. Ruchika started laughing for silliest of the jokes. Neel became very philosophical I don’t remember what crap he was dishing out. But he sounded very knowledgeable. Raghav had tensed look. He had his hand around his girl as if he was worried that some harm would happen to her. I looked at Guruji. He seemed to perfectly at ease. He was lying in a sofa. His eyes were partly closed. He had a content smile on his face. His hands were mildly tapping on the side with the rhythm of the music. I started seeing colours coming out of the speakers with the music. Wild and scintillating colours flowing out like waves and dancing with the music. I felt that I am standing on the top of Mount Everest and I could do anything I wanted”

“So you guys had a nice trip” Udhi said

“Yes it was nice. Sometime along all of us fell asleep. I woke up around three am. I felt that I was out for years. Felt like I had lost all perception of time. I went back to the cottage and slept till 10 am the next day. The others except seemed to have gone to their rooms earlier. Guruji was sleeping peacefully“

“I came to the restaurant and ordered for a hot coffee. Then one by one the guys came down. All of them had look of absolute peace on their face. Each of us narrated the trip. Bike Thakkur dreamt that he was in the Wonderland of Alice on his bike going for a roller coaster ride. Ruchika felt she was a fairy and was jumping from on cloud to another”

“Looks like you guys had a great time” Udhi commented

“We did not want to come back. But we had to be back to our projects the next day. So reluctantly we packed up and started back. None of us were in a mood to walk all the way down to the bus stop. So we hired horses for our return trip. This was the first time I was on a horse. By the time we reached down to the bus stop all of us were complaining of pain in the wrong place. But then the feeling was great. I have decided; I am going to learn horse riding” Arjun declared

“Wow that is the next adventure Arjun wants” Udhi commented

“Now it is your turn to tell us what you did for your summer. About the project and the fun you had” Arjun said.

“Ok Now let us go back to hostel. I promise that I will give you a full download in the evening. I want to give some finishing touch to the project report before I submit it today and then sleep for some more time .” Udhi replied.