Truth or Dare

Characters- Zara (narrator), Rohan and Shruti (Zara’s friend)

Disclaimer:

In the cold winter, my two friends - Rohan and Shruti - and I had gone into the forest to add an adventurous night to our lives. With the chilly breeze, the flickering shadows of the bonfire cast upon our faces. To add some more excitement, we decided to play a game of 'truth or dare'.

 

"All right, let's make this interesting," Rohan grinned. "Zara, you spin first."

I gave the champagne bottle a spin, and closed my eyes, secretly hoping it wouldn’t point my way. The bottle slowed, the suspense building until it stopped, its neck pointing directly at me.

"Well, well! Looks like it’s your turn, Zara. Truth or dare?" Rohan cheered.

"If I choose truth, may I?" I sighed.

"No!" Shruti and Rohan exclaimed simultaneously. “We came here for adventure, and we already know your secret, so it's dare only," Rohan insisted.

I said,” ok! Tell me what would I have to do?

“ I dare you to spend the next hour alone in the abandoned cabin at the edge of the forest. No phones, no lights. Just you and the shadows.” Shruti explained mischievously.

"Fine, I'll do it," I answered reluctantly.

When I was glancing toward the looming cabin in the darkness, my heart was getting faster. All the ghost stories, I have heard since childhood, were sounding loud and made that place a haunted spot for me.

Trying to replace those thoughts with my science and factual knowledge like ‘ghost doesn’t exist in reality’ as I ventured into the forest, the unbearable silence shook my heart. I decided to sit by closing my eyes for the next hour by chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ on the cabin loomed ahead.

After sitting for more than ten minutes my fear just started to vanish and my ears started focusing on the sounds which were creating a melody in that extremely silent night.

The gentle sway of trees was creating a lullaby, as leaves were whispering their secrets to the wind. In the distance, the hooting of owls echoed through the darkness, while crickets orchestrated a rhythmic chorus. The crackle of twigs underfoot adds a percussive beat to the melody of the night.

 

When that thrilling night was totally busy pondering life’s mysteries in front of me, my sight was gazed at by a torn diary, that was shining by the moon’s reflection. My heart wanted to pick it up at that time but my mind was in dilemma. Now I couldn’t stop myself and ran through Rohan and Shruti.

"It’s not done yet. You failed due to your fear," Shruti said mischievously.

"No, it seems like something else. Let Zara speak," Rohan interjected.

"I found something," I said breathlessly.

"Did you find a treasure or a secret map?" Shruti joked.

"Please, no more jokes. Come with me," I pleaded.

(“We all reached that place where I had seen the diary that was still glowing in that milky night”.)

see! This looks old and torn but I think there must be something untold in it. So, should we take the risk of picking?" I asked.

“Now if we have reached till here, then we must seek the mysteries hidden behind the diary and if there will be no mysterious thing in it then we will just keep it with ourselves as a memory of this adventurous night”. Rohan added.

(Finally, Rohan just gripped the diary and started opening from the very first page.)

“wow! This is so beautiful! I think the writer is a great nature lover. Let’s read it," Shruti suggested.

“Rohan started turning all the pages of the diary one by one. All the pictures and articles showed that the diary belonged to a very big nature lover and a social activist too, who just wanted to conserve wildlife at any cost. At the end, there was a letter written by the diary owner which Rohan read it aloud:

“ My name is Medha Shankar. This forest is my best friend. Though I don’t oppose the development but for doing this snatching someone's house is an offensive act. I don’t care about my life if could save thousands of wild lives. I am writing this letter to you, who will read the diary.

I have witnessed many crimes which are done by some well-known persons on this flora and fauna. The all evidence those cruel persons want from me as I want to stop them by giving a warning of showing this evidence in the court.

Maybe they will cost my life in exchange for that evidence but I will never give up. If I will not be able to send those victims To jail please do this favour for me. I was less in front of them because I was alone, so I request you to do it in the group.

At last, all the evidence is safe at this place. Just go and collect when it will be needed. All the best for saving our planet from the grasp of some cruel human beings.”

After reading this we were silent for some minutes. Suddenly I asked Rohan, “Your father is a journalist. Ask him about Medha Shankar,"

“Ok! I will. But right now, we are in the forest so let's sleep and after reaching our houses tomorrow we will meet, till then I will discuss it with my father” Rohan suggested.

The next day, we met at Rohan’s house.

"Did you ask your father?" Shruti inquired.

"Yes! He told me a lot about Medha Shankar, a very famous nature and wildlife conservationist who was found mystically dead near the forest we had visited last night. Police are trying to find evidence against the people who were involved in the murder." Rohan explained.

" I think we can get the evidence. Zara! Give me that diary. See she has given an address where she was mentioning the evidence”. Shruti said, taking the diary.

(We went in search of that address and finally after searching for three to four hours. As we entered the house, it seemed we had reached in the natural wildlife sanctuary again.)

 

"The house was completely covered with tall green trees, and its wooden walls mixed immaculately with the vegetation of the woodland. A wide exhibition wrapped with various types of plants around the house welcomed nature inside. The Enormous windows of the house were offering a broad perspective on the encompassing wild.

 The stylistic layout of the inside, was hearty and rural, with normal materials like stone and wood giving the inclination to interface with the ground. While the comfortable furniture was welcoming for unwinding, the untamed life-themed work of art was enhancing the walls.

The kitchen was planned with every one of the cutting-edge machines close by reasonable decisions like a fertilizer container and energy-proficient lighting.

In the eating region, a strong wooden table is highlighted quite well, where all the conservatism may be assembled to examine their most recent tasks.

Higher up, rooms gave a brief look at effortlessness yet without compromising solace and extravagance. bedding had perspectives on the timberland overhang. There was a container for reusing in each room with a suggestion to moderate water.

Outside, a nursery burst with local plants, giving an environment to the neighbourhood with untamed life. The yard was spotted with Bird feeders and bat boxes for drawing in the animals, of all shapes and sizes.

Shruti gazed around the lush surroundings of the wildlife sanctuary, her eyes alight with determination. "In this sanctuary, where will we search for evidence?" she queried, her voice echoing against the verdant trees.

"I think we should scour every nook and cranny, starting with the wardrobes and the almirah," I suggested, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Rohan's eyes gleamed as he held up a camera triumphantly. "See what I found?" he exclaimed; his voice filled with excitement.

Shruti's eyes widened with recognition. "A camera?" she gasped, her mind racing with the possibilities.

"Let's open it quickly!" I urged, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

With trembling hands, Rohan fumbled with the camera, his fingers dancing across the buttons until finally, the screen flickered to life, revealing a trove of incriminating evidence against the perpetrators.

"Yes! Here we have all the evidence against those killers now," Rohan declared triumphantly, his voice ringing out with conviction.

Shruti's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Yup! Now Medha will get justice, and there will be fewer enemies of wildlife," she proclaimed, her eyes shining with determination.

But as I gazed at the camera, a solemn realization washed over me. "But only one Medha is not enough for conserving the planet," I murmured, my voice tinged with urgency. "We need more. So, do you agree to serve as social conservationists, friends?"

Shruti's expression softened, her resolve unwavering. "Yes, Zara," she affirmed, her voice filled with determination.

Rohan nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the same determination. " Zara! It is the demand of nature," he declared, his voice resonating with conviction.

And so, since that fateful day, Zara, Shruti, and Rohan have worked tirelessly as wildlife conservationists, their passion for protecting Mother Nature guiding their every step. Together, they inspire others to join their cause, spreading awareness and championing the preservation of our planet for generations to come.