Every time it so happens that i always come up with a post which is a bigger roller coaster ride than the previous post.The trip to Hoshangabad,70 kilometers from Bhopal,was the most memorable trip after Mood Indigo 2007.. But this time the number of surprises and shocks were much greater than Mood Indigo 2008,the biggest shock being that we didnt even know we were going in the first place. A few of our college guys were going to play the state level basketball open tournament.I had information about this for quite some time.Now a few hours before the trip,one of the players called me up and told me that even girls are allowed to form a team and play,as it was an open tournament.I was absolutely clueless about anything that he was talking. Firstly ,we didnt have a proper team..or atleast never had coordinated with the top five players ever before.Secondly,we didnt have a proper sporting kit to wear.And thirdly ,the whole thing was really at short notice.Imaging calling up your classmate one night telling her to be ready by morning 6 to leave for a place to play a match at such a great level without preparation. God knows what was in my mind that time that i told him ill inform about the latest decision in some time.I called off emergency and asked the girls to get collected in one of the rooms. I told them about this thing.And to my surprise,they were more than happy to hear that an opportunity like that had knocked our doors.We finally agreed ,packed our bags,had insomnia that night,and finally got prepared to leave for Hoshangabad. Now we reached the station at 9. Train fortunately was late by half an hour. So the guys bought tickets for us,and they were general tickets.But according to them,it was advisable to sit in sleeper as general seats were over crowded. We sat in the sleeper class,not long enough to be encountered by the ticket checker.He fined us with a 4000 bucks..We pleaded (i mean the guys) and i tried using my charms.But all in vain.Finally he agreed for a 1000 bucks and we paid him. We reached there at about 11.30 pm.The place was pretty much like a village,but it felt good taking a girls team from MANIT,Bhopal,where normally girls constitute only 10% of the population . Our first day was ok.We saw the fixtures and realized we didn't have any match that day,and was going to happen only the next day. I and a junior decided to return back,she because she didnt have permission to stay back at night,and me because there was a cross country race in my college i wanted to participate in. We didn't get a train,so sat in a bus filled with umpteen people. Squeezed between them ,i came back only to see that the race was postponed to the next day.Anyway i returned the next morning,had a match,lost terribly,but won the second match that evening. But you see,when you get something good,always be prepared for a package.There's nothing like a free lunch. There was a set of cheap crowd to create disturbances and all.We however dodged against them and returned safely to our lodge. Next morning we won the third match ,which put us into the finals.
That same evening ,we guys went to the banks of Narmada river,which was the most ultimate fun ever.There was something soo peaceful and serene about the waves,inspite of the dynamic flow and we guys madly splashing water at each other. We all got wet in our basketball clothes ,and,inspite of the water being freezing cold,no one had the heart to get out of the water. The third day again was interesting,it was the final match between MANIT,Bhopal and girls of Ujjain. We unfortunately lost,but i must admit,the first half was a really tough competition.We also got a trophy and a cheque of 2000 rupees. Entirely was worth it. We had a huge photo session,but had to go back because of the anti social elements i was talking about. We went to the station,only to see that there was excess crowd and we wouldnt be able to get it.We had this hugeeeee argument about whether to go or to stay back,and the result of the fight was that half of us stayed back .Next morning we hired a jeep .That was the most awesome journey we could have.We kept chatting all along.. I am really thankful to the boys team who were with us,and helped us totally throughout the journey,inspite of soo many complication.This was the first time i didnt want to come back and curl up on my bed after returning. I was rejuvenated. Truly.
