Chapter 2

Opening scene:

Screen opens to a gypsy stuck in mud on a slope of a narrow road in the rainforest of Assam's Kajiranga.. we see hands big, strong steering the wheel, the feet (high ankle timberland shoes) rapidly switching between the accelerator and the break... the jeep moves forward successfully and an exhilarated Dev exclaims in deep Baritone, "Aao Aao Baitho jaldi..." 

A Gaon Budha (man in late 60s) climbs up on the front seat next to Dev, keeps his machete on floor, 

Budha: jaldo nikalo Gadi, waha ek Makhana hai jhadiyon ke peeche l (alpha male elephant without tusk, who is an outcast often goes rogue). 

Dev: Teri to, avaj aa rahi thi mujhe laga he haati hoga, piche pug marks bhi dikhe mujhe.. ye area main ek baar aana padega wapis. Tum piche khade the aur main soch raha tha aaj toh Budha gayaa... 

Budha: Sher se toh main nahin darta..woh ek baar main jaa raha tha.. 

Dev interjects jokingly; Haan pata hai bhai ye kahani, lekin us makhana ka kya karte.. 

Both of them burst out in laughing.. 

Jeep charges forward.. we see Dev and the Budha from behind.. glimpses of him in th rear view mirror.. he is wearing sunglasses.. 

Dev: abhi 20 mins main college pohoch jayenge.. 

Char students hamare stah woh enclosure site pe chalnge. Is gadi main aap leke aana.. main woh Tapesh Dada ke sath Van main aounga, woh Itanagar se rescued Tiger cubs leke aa rahe hain.. unko bhi enclosure main daal denge.. 

Budha is not well versed with English but he is been with Dev long enough to understand what he means.. 

The car comes to a halt as it enters the Govt Vetenarian college gate.. Dev steps out in green cargos, timberland shoes, a GPS tracking device in his hand, a National Georgraphic watch hung to his waist belt, he runs fingers through his silver hair to neaten them, wears a cap that has tiger paws printed on them on the side.. he keeps a salt and pepper stuble... he gives a sigh of relief after the long and grueling drive early morning. 

Dev: Budha, aap ruko Tapesh Dada aata hoga.. main students ko leke aataa hun. 

Dev rushes to the building, swiftly climbing the stairs, the ever so energetic Dev takes his sun glasses off, enters the classroom and waves at the student..

Dev: hi guys, it's a lovely morning, ain't it? who evers joining me today, get going we have no time.. can you please come forward

Arjun, Saurabh, Rishi and Vidhi step forward

As they walk towards Dev, he turns around to get going..

Dev: god good good, lets go.. and tell me you names as we walk again please!

He halts abruptly and turns around... his piercing eyes scan Vidhi.. 

Dev: are you wearing this to the forest?? (With a hint of sarcasm and concern) I hope you understand what your assignment for the month is with my team

Vidhi is wearing a bright orange Kurta and Pyjama.. 

Arjun grins: I told ya! Maine bataya tumko.. 

Vidhi is visibly embarrassed and also irritated with Arjun

She responds to Dev sheepishly.

Vidhi: sorry Sir, woh mujhe confirmation email ayaa nahi, class main aayi toh pata chala Arjun se, I checked and it has somehow gone to spam.. otherwise I am so particular.. and.. 

Dev interrupts: its OK. This can happen. We have no time. Can you quickly change and join us in 15 mins?? 

Vidhi gives a big smile and nods her head.. she runs to the hostel which is in the campus. 

Dev: guys, tum gate par jaao wahan Forest dept ki Gypsy hai, you know my tracker na, usko bolo Dev Sir ne kaha hai ki woh aur ek student hain woh Tapeesh Dada ke sath Van main ayenge. Aap mujhe enclosure site pe milo OK?

Arjun and others: Yes Sir, Sure. 

They walk to the car. 

Dev is waiting for Vidhi, he is composed as usual but being punctual and a perfectionist he feels a tad restless due to the delay.. as he paces up and down the hallway.. He turns around and bumps into Vidhi, clad in a similar cargo and a coffee brown t-shirt with a cap. 

Vidhi: Sorry,  Sorry Sir!!! Woh late na hojaye isliye..

Dev: It's alright. Let's go

They quickly walk towards the Van. 

Dev: Woh Rishi, Saurabh and I forgot the name, woh..

Vidhi: Arjun.

Dev: Haan woh teeno dept ke car main gaye hain, hum Van main jayenge. Since it's a two seater. Aap Vidhi front seat main, Tapeesh Dada ke saath Baitho, theek hai na Tapeesh Dada? 

A tanned 46 something Tapeesh smiles with a thumbs up sign:  Haan Sir

Vidhi: aap? Kaha? Kaise

Dev: piche Teen Tiger cubs hain wooden crate main.. there is a small seat.. I am used to it. Will sit there.. 

Vidhi peeks through the window,.she sees a wooden crate with two circular windows for ventilation..the cubs can't be seen though.. and  a rather narrow bench attached to the door. 

Vidhi: sir, ye seat toh bohot he choti hai. Aap comfortable nahi honge, main baith jaati hun.. waise bhi ye cubs hain like small cats, I had a cat.. I would be comfortable...

Dev: they are from the cat family not cats Vidhi.. this is your first time, you wouldn't be comfortable.. lemme 

Vidhi: sir, aap  Sir hain I insist! 

Vidhi says rather confidently.

Dev shrugs his shoulder, OK!!

Vidhi climbs at the back and tries to make herself comfortable.

Dev gets onto the front seat. Signals Tapeesh to get going. 

Dev: agar tum uncomfortable ho gayi toh bata dena.. (through the grill dividing the front and the back) 

Vidhi: Je Sir! I am perfectly fine!

Dev smiles.

The car drives through the near by villages, its a rather bumpy ride.. the cubs that were asleep slowly start to wake up by the jolts.. Vidhi is excited to see glimpses of them through the window. 

Vidhi in a slightly baby voice: hi! Good morning... you are so cute! Hey... awww

Dev watching all this through his rear view mirror smiles.. part of him thinking, she thinks they are like apartment cats?!?! Really

The Van enters the forest, its a tough terrain Vidhi is struggling to stay put on her seat.. she is holding the window grill with both her hands, and gives a forced smile whenever Dev looks back to check on her.. 

Suddenly, the cubs start gnawing at the wooden crate.. they rip apart some pieces..  Vidhi's heartbeat is racing... the bumpy ride, the uncomfortable seat and the not so cat like cubs are given her an anxiety she can't show because she signed up for this despite Dev's warning..  

A deer runs across the Van, Tapeesh pushes the breaks hard enough for the Van to come to a screeching halt.. 

Vidhi falls down from her seat... one of the cubs get their head out of the window.. Vidhi panics and screams 

..dev quickly jumps out, opens the back door.. the Van is a little tilted due to the uneven road.

Dev: ohh Shoot... I told you Vidhi

He rushes to the back and opens the door, Vidhi tumbles and lands straight into his arms.. 

Vidhi is gasping for breath, her heart is racing, her hair is all over the place.. 

Dev holds her and makes her sit upright on the floor of the Van. 

Dev: are you OK

Vidhi nods her head, turns around to the Crate...

Vidhi: thank you Sir.... now pointing at the crate: they are cute but not your regular cats.. 

She keeps staring at them.. while Dev smiles!

To be continued...