The Kidnapping Game - The Preface

Hi!That’s me. Today I am a teen aged boy of 13 .What more can any one dream or expect from a boy of my age? Nothing, but a strict routine of studies, and daily discipline. Well I got bored of this schedule and wanted to dream, fly high and enjoy life.

My inspiration is my mother who encouraged me to write and often told that I can pen my thoughts in a bundle of words and can express myself to the world. But frankly speaking that was again a difficult task as it often clashed with the timings of my fun and frolics.

But my mom being a strict lady would start shouting from the morning, perhaps, just like any other mother, trying to get a perfection in what ever you do… whether studies, games or watching television. “Saheb! Its 6 am! Leave the bed!! Saheb! Brush your teeth fast!”
Saheb!! Do this do that …..?.... Endless routines. And one fine day she threw a new tantrum, “Saheb why don’t you start writing something as that would improve your English?” I really wanted to rush and bully her like an ox but had to control my anger as she is my mother.

It was my summer vacation and my school had given me the time to while around. And here is my mother who wanted me to be once again with the books ,pens and the stuff which really are the hated lots for a boy of eleven.

My eyes welled up with tears as I looked up at the foot ball lying at the corner and my cricket bat and ball…..

“Mummy today I have a match. Tomorrow I will do it”, I said hoping that my mother will soften her stand. But she said sternly, “I will tell your friends that he will come after he has finished writing four pages”.

I had no other option but to sit unwillingly and start penning what I thought and often dreamt.

I dreamt to write a few stories and imagine my self to be the main character of the story. I dreamt to be a hero who could solve the mysteries like Sherlock Holmes.

I told my sister about my ideas. My sister who is older to me by three years just gave a mocking laugh and ridiculed me by saying, “You and Stories! What a joke!!”

That was the pinnacle of my anger and I decided to write. Write something which I felt was mine, something which was my imagination, something to express my self.

And thus started my journey with words which I will share with you. I will slowly unfurl before you a boy of eleven who gradually matured to his teens.

I do not remember how many pages I have torn before I could pen a sentence. I could only recollect the stories of Hardy Boys, Enid Blyton and recent addition was Harry Potter’s. I was really very disappointed and then went to my mother for some help. She told me to write what I wanted to … not fearing if it resembled any story.

That helped me a lot and I started jotting down my first story “The Kidnapping Game”

The Making of the Group - Chapter 1

It was a typical Indian Spring morning in a mountainous town in the state of Uttarakhand. Raj was eating his Breakfast with his sister Kiran . They could not sleep the previous night and were upset since they had a big fight near the lake, last evening with their best friend Adil. Bosky their dog was lazing in the balcony sunshine biting his dog bone with his half eyes closed.

“You always start the quarrel”, muttered Kiran, in a hushed up tone as they did not want their mother to know about it.
“Shut up! Don’t ever talk about this issue here or else I will throw you out of my team. You girls are always spoil sports and can not keep any thing to yourself,” Raj warned his sister with pressed lips. “We will get some more friends to replace that rouge".

After their breakfast Raj asked his mother if he could go to the lake and play. “Mummy please we are bored if playing the same game of cards. Even I was thinking to ask you the same.” Kiran’s eyes sparkled as she supported the idea of her brother.She looked at her elder brother with a wink in her eyes hoping that he would acknowledge her intelligence.

Their mother gave her permission unwillingly but warned them to keep off the water as it could be dangerous.
“THANK YOU MUMMY!!” the duo exclaimed as they rushed out of their home with their sneakers on.

Wuff!Wuff! The noise startled the kids as they turned back to see Bosky standing at their heels. “Poor dog! How could we forget you!” muttered Raj as he fondly caressed the head of the Alsatian and the three walked towards the lake.

The lake was over crowded with people as it was a Sunday. Kiran was a bit astonished to see her brother not whistling and sitting quietly in the shade of a huge banyan tree.

Raj was lost in his own thoughts about the fights he had the day before. Perhaps it was the end of his dream to make a detective team. Perhaps he would not be able to get any one like Adil. Adil , was tall and stout and he was brave too. He could jump high and run like a deer. He had the qualities to be a leader, but how could Raj give up his supremacy! He had failed twice in the same class and was famous to be a bully.

His thoughts were shattered by the shriek of his sister.

“Bhaiya! Bosky is missing! He is not here!”

“Bosky! Bosky!” the two children shouted as they started running searching for their dog.

“Look! there is Bosky playing with some children,” Raj shouted as he rushed towards them. “Bosky! Come here!” the stern call fom Raj startled the group and they looked at him.

“I am Aakash. I am sorry, but you have a lovely dog. Meet my friends Suzy and Ricky.” A boy stepped forward as he introduced them.

“I am Kiran and he is my elder brother Raj and this is our dog Bosky,” chirped the bubbly little girl as Raj kept looking at her.

“How many times I have asked you not to open your mouth when I am around?” blasted Raj as he turned towards Kiran, but was taken aback to see her chatting endlessly with Suzy as though they knew each other since ages.

The silence was broken by Ricky who looked to be matured for his age. “ The Girls! They can never think big.”

Ricky looked at Raj and continued, “We have moved in the neighbour hood a few days back and stay near the big old deserted mansion- “ The Villa”. “We met Aakash a few days back and now it seems I have two more friends today.” He expressed himself as he extended his hands towards Raj as a gesture of friendship.

It took no time for the six to get along with each other as they tossed the ball and played merrily near the lake. As the sun was shining brightly they decided to rest a while in the shade of the big banyan tree where Raj disclosed his idea of making a detective team.

“We can have our own pass words and badges! Exclaimed an excited Suzy.
“And Walky Talky too!” doubled Kiran.
Ricky gave a cold glance and said that he did not approve of the idea because there ought to be a captain and rules. Moreover any such team is useless without a mission.

Suzy said that as the idea of the detective group was Raj’s, he should be the captain and all gave their unanimous decision.

All of a sudden all there was a sigh of relief for Raj who fought with Adil over the same issue the other day. “You all are real good guys. Lets be the best pals from today.” The words came out unexpectedly from Raj’s mouth.

They sat together huddled thinking about naming their group, when once again Kiran exclaimed, “Can we name our group ‘Jaagte Raho’ meaning "Keep Awake?”

The name of the group decided, the six members Raj, Aakash, Ricky, Suzy, Kiran and Bosky started deciding the password .

Aakash interrupted, “Let our password be BOSKY, as no one can think that the name of the dog can be the password. What do you all suggest?” He lovingly patted the head of the dog who looked up proudly as if he understood every thing.

“WUFF – WUFF- WUFF” Bosky wagged his tail happily and ran two three time sin circles to express his gratitude to his new friends.

Suzy and Kiran shared their ideas of making the badges which they learnt from their crafts teacher in the school.

As it was about to be noon they all decided to go back home and meet at the same spot the next day to decide their future plan of actions.

All were very excited about their group when Raj reminded them that every one has to take the pledge to maintain the secrecy of their group and not let any outsider know about it. He also added to keep their eyes and ears open to any suspicious things going around.

They took the pledge and happily marched towards their houses.

On their way back Aakash told them about his father who was working as a Senior Inspector of Police. He told his friends about the different bravery awards he had won. He was quite sure that his father would guide them if they needed any help. Looking at Kiran he said that he would ask his father to provide them some mobiles or Walky Talkies if he had any.

The six departed happily keeping their pledge in mind and assuring to meet the next day near the big banyan tree at 9am.

First Meeting at the Annex - Chapter 2

After Raj and Kiran reached their home they found their parents were upset at them since they were late for the lunch. Their aunt Sabina, from Meerut, had already arrived. She just warned their mother that if she just did not be harsh at the kids they would learn to loiter around like hooligans. Kiran went quietly and sat besides her father and hugged him tightly. After the lunch was over Raj and Kiran followed their parents to their study and told him every thing hat had happened at the lake. They also asked their mother if they could use the annex as their office where they can meet and discuss.

“Mummy, can we have five chairs and six pillows?” interrupted Kiran.
“But you are five. Then why do you need an extra Pillow?” mummy questioned.

“Mummy the sixth one is for Bosky as he is also in our group!” Exclaimed the bubbly girl laughing.

That after noon Raj and Kiran spent the whole time cleaning the annex and making the badges. A little later they were joined by Ricky who knew how to make traps with ropes.
The boys felt that they needed the ropes and the traps to start with their investigation.

A big board encrypted with 'JR' decorated the door of the annex.

Kiran was a little more enthusiastic. She asked her mother if she could give her friends of the Jagte Raho team some cookies and lemonade for the formal inauguration without the knowledge of her aunty Sabina.

Looking at the annex the trio felt very proud that they were doing something interesting in their vacation. It was evening when Ricky left. Closing the annex door, Raj and Kiran went inside. They were very excited as to their new office. The whole night went just tossing and turning on the bed. Kiran would at times look at the watch to see if it was morning. Raj stayed awake because he was not sure whether they would get any mission to solve or their whole efforts will go in vain.

The kids were ready unusually very early in the morning. The cold breeze of the mountains was still blowing. Even the morning walkers were very few people on the serpentine roads. Kiran and Raj went to help their mother in the kitchen. The cookies and lemonade were ready well ahead of time. Aunt Sabina was sitting on the rocking chair with her eyes fixed half on the News paper and the other half glued on the children who found it difficult to hide their excitement. Every now and then Kiran would rush to her father and ask the time.


“Why do you need to ask time every five minutes Kiran?”asked Aunt Sabina.

“We have a meeting!” her answer was cut short by Raj who looked at her with angrily.

Aunt Sabina looked with her lips pursed as if she could guess that there was something fishy on the cards.

By 9am Raj and Kiran were waiting for their friends under the big banyan tree.

“Wuff Wuff!” the barks of Bosky drew the attention of the children when they saw that the Aakash, Ricky and Suzy were round the corner and looked excited.

“We have a new office and mummy has made cookies and lemonades for us!!” Kiran shouted even though they were at a distance.

“You can never be serious!” Raj interrupted to Kiran as he guided the others beneath the tree. “Any ideas as to what to do and how to proceed?” Raj asked Aakash and Ricky.

“Yesterday I talked to my father after he returned from his office. He said that he would help us to register our group with the private detectives so that we can work and learn something from them also.” Aakash muttered.

“That will be a real great thing! Aakash! We can even use some of our NCC ideas which we learnt at our school to solve the mysteries.” Ricky sounded very excited and confident.

“Ok guys! Let’s go to our office at the annex and discuss the rest there. But remember one thing; do not disclose any ideas to my aunt Sabina who has come over to our place for a vacation. She will be sneaking around … so hold your breath till she goes.” Raj addressed the group as he stood up to proceed homewards.

At the annex the group was welcomed by Raj’s mother who served them the cookies and the lemonade. The children were excited to see the banner near the door which read ‘JR’.
Raj reminded of their oath and they all pledged to stand by each other hand in hand.
The badges with the names on it were handed over to the respective owners. The traps, ropes, torches and the first aid kit added a special touch to the room which was beautifully decorated by Raj and Kiran. The five chairs and the six pillows were neatly arranged around the big table and each one owned a personal diary to maintain the minute details.

On the wall was written their mission in bold letters….“AWAKE ,ARISE and MARCH AHEAD ”
Aakash said that his father would hand them over the Walky -Talkies once their group was registered with the private detectives.

They were about to leave for their houses when Aakash’s mobile rang. It was a call from his father who had asked him to rush with his friends to their house as it was very important.

When they were about to leave a white police vehicle drew in front of Raj’s house........

The 'JR" Team - Introduction

My dream was always to be a rough and a tough guy. Some how I like to wear a band round my forehead and dress like a tough guy with unzipped shirt and jackets and sport shoes…..

I know this is a general trait of getting and drawing attention among your friends. Seeing the posters of the Tennis champ Raffle Nadal also made me feel great as some where he resembles my dream hero. I like to copy his actions and also love to clench my fists like him.... You can rightfully say Hero worshiping!

So while I was writing the story the hero of my story Raj was no other than me. I tried to create a guy who was intelligent, soft in his outward nature but a tough guy inside.

Meet me and my group:

It was a real difficult decision for me as I used to stand in front of the mirror for hours trying to anticipate how I looked with my clenched fists and a blue band decorating my forehead. My sister used to laugh at me calling me names saying that I resembled none but a joker and no where my story’s hero resembled me and tease me telling,"Shaheb ka Popat ho gaya."
I used to get very angry and retaliate by shouting for help from mummy and that too, at the pitch of my voice when she used to be very busy, because I knew that she would scold my sister for troubling and teasing me.

I used to feel great and highly elevated praising my intelligence when mummy scolded her for being tough to her kid bro….. Ha ha...That’s me!!

So while writing the story I only dreamt that I might have done all which Raj did.

So when I wrote in my previous chapter, ‘....... about to leave a white police vehicle drew in front of Raj’s house,’ I dreamt that Raj might have looked with his raised eyebrows raised anticipating that some thing wrong might have happened..


Clockwise from the top: Myself, Aakash, Ricky, Suzy, Kiran and Bosky

Now let's move ahead...............

Good News Awaits the Six

Raj looked with his raised eyebrows as the vehicle came to a halt. Aakash’s father stepped out and asked the boys to jump in the vehicle.

Raj and Kiran told their parents that they were going to Aakash’s house and they may be a bit late in the evening. Grumpy looking Sabina was not at all happy with the decision of the parents and was about to throw a tantrum when Raj’s mother said, “It is their holidays Didi let them enjoy.”

“Wuff Wuff!” Bosky was standing near Kiran as if he also wanted to go.
“Ok guys take him too!” laughed Aakash’s father as he opened the rear door for the Alsatian.

When the group took off the five were taken by surprise. Aakash’s father told them that their group has already been registered with the Private Detectives and that they already had a project to start working on immediately.

Raj and Aakash gave a glance at the excited group as they could not believe that they were already on a move.

They pulled in front of the huge gate of Aakash’s house. The vehicle pulled down the porch and Aakash’s father gestured them to follow inside.

“Young Squad, I have some important news for you all,” Aakash’s father sounded like an admiral instructing his troop. “Today after noon a boy was kidnapped near the Down Town. You all know that the area of the Down Town is quiet remote and silent in the afternoon. It was at that time when the boy was kidnapped.”

“Any clues?” Raj tried to sound like a detective.

“Not really. Except for the tyre marks of the vehicle in which the kidnappers had fled with the boy.” Aakash’s father said shrugging his shoulders.

“Oh! Then it’s very simple! Just follow the car trail and we will reach the place where the boy is held up! I read about Hansel and Gretel and how they returned home in my school’s library book!” Kiran added excitedly in her squeaky voice.

“Please keep your mouth shut Kiran!” Raj shouted at his sister.

“Let her speak. In an investigation the first rule is that you ought to respect the ideas of every member the group. You never know when a remote idea may click and it may be of help to you,” Aakash’s father added as he taught the first rule to be a detective.
“Yes, to continue with, there is some more news for your group. All we know about the boy is that he had come here a few days ago with his school for a sight seeing and also to play interschool basket ball matches which will begin this Friday. Raj!Your school also takes part in the interschool matches? Doesn’t it?”

“Yes uncle every year our school also takes part and wins. But since the last two years it was the St. Joseph’s Boys which had been winning the match title and the trophy.” Raj and Ricky added together.

“Can this kidnapping be due to match rivalry daddy?” asked Aakash hopefully looking at his father who was busy talking out something from a bag lying near him.

“Cant say any thing now guys. This is your first assignment and I wish you all the success. Here are some Walky Talkies for the boys. Remember that you are on a mission to help a boy who is in trouble. Always work in group and pairs and never leave the girls alone. Trust and Faith are the two key factors which help you to solve a mystery. All of you will be keenly observed by the rouges without your knowledge and so it is very important to maintain your secrecy,” reminded Aakash’s father.

“Daddy every operation has a unique name. Can we also give some name to our operation?” interrupted Aakash.

“Operation Squadron!” retorted Suzy and all accepted at once.

By now it was already evening and the sun was setting behind the mountains. Taking leave from Aakash, they departed their way home promising to meet at the annex at 8pm that day after having their dinner so as to discuss their plan of action.

On their way back home Suzy and Ricky were taken aback when they saw the huge iron gate of ‘The Villa’ open. Outside the gate the sign board read, " HOUSE FOR SALE".

Curiosity made them push the gate which made a loud creaking noise…….