I hurriedly took my bath, and started speed walking towards the Ashram again, this time, being extremely careful of my surroundings. I must be looking like a crazy man, looking up the trees and turning 360 degrees every now and then, and then stopping in the middle of the tracks to ensure I do not fall again. But I had to take these measures. And soon I reached the Ashram.

A spree of activities had already begun as I approached the Ashram , with my clothes in hand, that I washed at the river. I went passed the students who were now up and they had started cleaning their rooms and the surrounding before they start the day. I was greeted by a series of "Good Morning"s, though there seemed to be a glint of mischievousness and slight giggles behind my back. 

OF COURSE The four idiots had to go and spread the news of their glorious achievement! I looked around cautiously to see if I could see those four, but they were no where to be found.

I quickened my steps to reach my room, hung my clothes on the clothesline outside my room, and then went about to search for Guruji. I needed to , I really needed to tell him that now, now the time has come to teach these 4 some serious punishment. And no, this time I am not falling for the "They are kids" sentiment.

I looked around the Ashram, and found Guruji cleaning the area near the huge banyan tree under which the morning prayers and some early classes would be taken by him. 

Dressed in a white long dress with a really long white beard and hair, he was sweeping the area with much concentration and satisfaction.

"Guruji!" I said with an urgency in my voice.

He looked at me , calmly and slowly. Sometimes I get irritated by how calm he can always be. Sometimes I just wished he reacted faster. 

"Good Morning Adarsh." He said. Now he doesn't say normally. He is calm, very very calm. So he says like,"Good......Morning......Aa..Darsh." 

That's how calm he is and sometimes, in times like these, it just irritates me . 

"Guruji...Good Morning...." I said and then mumbled, "Well it isn't much of a 'good' morning but .." and then I said aloud , "I need to talk to you."

"What.....is......it Aa...Darsh?" He asked me calmly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in , calming myself and preventing myself from getting further irritated by his calm demeanor.

"Guruji, the kids....Hari and Prakash and..."

"The four boys ...yes, okay, what happened?"

"They....they.....they carried out another mischief today! ON ME! I was walking back to the Ashram after taking a bath, and then they.....they..." and then I began telling him about the entire episode. He listened to me quietly, his broom still in his hand .

"Hmmm..." He hummed thinking looking down and then he turned back and started sweeping again.

WA- WHAT????

"Guruji?" I called him as I went behind him.

"Hm...hmm? You are still here?" he asked me surprised.

"Well......aren't you going to say something?" I asked confused .

"No."

"What?"

"See, Adarsh, I am working on something. And that something will take some time. And that something will, hopefully, curb these four kids mischiefs too. But till then, we will, or rahter you will, considering they almost always target you," he mumbled the last part,"will have to bear them and keep up with them."

And then he added the last part that always makes me want to pull my hair out.

"As it is, they are just kids. Let them be. Till I finish making the remedy for them." 

And then he patted my shoulder , smiled and then started sweeping again.

Knew it. KNEW. IT! There is noooooooo way he is going to punish them. 

But then again, he said he is working on some remedy.

I have no other choice than to wait for him to finish up his remedy.

I walked to the ground and started getting ready to begin the classes.

**************************

Question of the chapter- What is the best/most positive thing about God or having a belief in something like God? Or same question but for your lack of belief of God?

All the Love,

~Inolas.