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An unusual adventure
As the sizzling summer days dragged slowly and painfully, I still had no adventure in my holidays. One morning, however, the postman came with a letter for us. I tore the envelope and read it; it was a letter from Mr Karim, a friend of Dad, who had helped him some time ago when he was being wrongly accused of something. He had written that as the summer holidays had begun and he wanted me to come over to his house in Peshawar.
I was delighted as Mr Karim’s daughter was the same age as mine. I told Dad the good news. He was also happy at the thought. We quickly finished our packing and in the night I dreamed of birds, hills and forests.
The next day was a glorious one and we finally reached the airport. I was to make the trip alone. Dad told me that Munaal and her father would be there to meet me. I said goodbye and boarded the plane and soon reached hilly Peshawar.
I saw Munaal and her father waiting for me. I greeted them and we all went in his car to his house. We had a delicious lunch of roasted beef and cooked potatoes. We played in the garden after that and had loads of fun. Munaal was a cheerful lively girl and I instantly began liking her. One thing disturbed me that her mother was not present. I asked Munaal about it so she became quiet and turned away. Her father told me that her mother was dead and Munaal was lonely. I was completely shocked.
At only 9’O clock we had an equally delicious dinner and then retired to bed. Suddenly I woke up, something disturbed me. I looked over to Munaal but she was sleeping peacefully. The sound was thik … thuk … thuk …. I became scared at the thought of ghosts but took up all my courage, opened the door and looked out. There was nothing. I was tired so I went and slept. The next morning was breezy and sunny. A perfect day for a picnic! I thought and as if my wish had come true. Munaal’s father said that he would take us to the hills to his rest house. We were delighted. Munaal and I quickly dressed and went in his car.
It was magnificent up there. We had a picnic lunch with us and my mouth watered at the thought of cheese sandwiches, French fries and Cola drinks. Munaal’s father said that he would rest in the rest house while I and Munaal could play but we were not supposed to go too far. We played blind’s man buff, postman postman and hide and seek.
While she was counting I hid in a dark part of the forest. She couldn’t find me and I gave up. I thought I would surprise her and followed a little path but could not find my way out. I tried several times but luck did not favour me. I sat on a log and cried. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder; I turned and saw a beautiful lady wearing a white robe. She said kindly to me, “Don’t be afraid of me”. I asked her who she was and after a while she said that she was Munaal’s mother. I was taken aback.
She went to a tree and took a box out of a hollow. She took out a ring and gave it to me saying that it will guide me safely out of the forest. I asked her what she was doing but she vanished in a jiffy. I took the ring and automatically began walking. After a while I saw Munaal crying. She saw me and heaved a sigh of relief. She looked worried and told me she had called my name several times. Suddenly, she saw the ring and became amazed and asked where I got it from. We went back to the rest house and between mouthfuls of cheese sandwiches I told Munaal and her father the story.
They were amazed. Munaal’s father said that it was Munaal’s ring which had could not be found since ten years.
After that day we took that ring with us whenever we went into the forest. We never lost our way again.
I knew deep down that Munaal’s mother was guiding us through that ring. After having a great time I took a flight back to Karachi. I was treated with hospitality and promised to come again. I told my father my adventure and named it the ‘Unusual Adventure’. My wish of having an adventure in the summer holidays was fulfilled.
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