A Strange Encounter

Sisters Ritu and Siya and their cousin, Juhi, had come with their parents to their grandfather's farmhouse.

- Sudha Vijay

Ritu and Juhi were ten years old, and Siya was a year younger. The place was at a small hill station with a beautiful scenic view of hills and green trees surrounding their family's ancestral home.

While having breakfast, their grandparents were reminiscing about the girls' fathers' childhood.

"Do you remember how you and your friends wanted to camp on the nearby hill during summer?" grandma asked.

"I remember that well. I was so angry when father refused to let me go," Ritu's father said.

"I didn't permit you because a wild bear was spotted, and camping there would have been risky," grandfather replied.

"But we finally did camp," Juhi's father said.

"Where did you go?" Ritu asked eagerly.

"Did you see any wild animals?" Juhi asked.

"Our parents didn't allow us to camp on the hill, so we camped behind this house with our friends. We cleared the area and rented three tents. We also made a bonfire and tried to barbeque food. It was so much fun," Juhi's father told them.

"That sounds amazing! We want to camp, too," Ritu said.

"We have only a couple of days here, so why not? We can safely camp in our backyard," Siya urged.

"But we have plans. Maybe next time?" Juhi's mother suggested.

"Please let us stay back with grandmother and grandfather," Juhi pleaded with her mother.

"Let the girls have some fun. The weather is good, and we'll keep an eye on them," their grandmother said.

The girls almost jumped with joy.

Later that evening, the girls cleared an area in the backyard, and with the help of bedsheets, bamboo and stones, erected a temporary tent. Soon, they were all set to camp with their snack boxes, juice, water bottles, and books.