Closing stages of fourth semester of engineering, it seemed to be the beginning of a fresh epoch as for a guy like him, who had spent the earlier episodes of the course in fun and little bit of weightiness towards studies. Subsequent to the two years that had flown hastily, were the next two years in the offing.

     Evaluating his initial stint, he was pleased and gratified to the deity for the acquaintances, who were now good friends. Ont of them, Naveen had joined the college in the preceding year, as the college had provision for lateral entry. Within an year, this guy from Faridkot, had become an imperative member of his group of leprechauns, thanks to his simplicity, truthfulness and witty nature.

 The last exam for the semester was over, and as every one at the inn waited for this time, to go back to their natives, relax & spend some time with family, he being a localite was thinking of going to some complaining relatives. After the exam, he had some urgent work and had to rush. But in the corridor, waiting was Naveen with his friend to drop them to the nearby station where buses or rather there drivers used to congregate. With two guys on his scooter, it seemed chancy to go out as traffic cops were severe outside.

  A localite from the other stream was also departing for his home. Good for them, as the bus stop was in the way to his home. He asked Naveen to board the other guy's bike and took his friend along with. The post exam time is really amusing. Chewing the fat about various topics, they reached the bus stand. The biker left and the rest chose the bus, and after the ciaos, he too left as he knew his urgent task was already delayed.

  Next day, just before leaving home for his uncle's place in a nearby town, he got a call from a collmate. It was a shocker for him. He had just been told that the guy he dropped over to the bus stand the other day, was no more!!! He doubted whether the guy at the other side of the phone was kidding and called up Faridkot. But unfortunately, the dimming ambience said it all…

 Same evening, they left for Fardikot to see their friend one last time before his ultimate carriage. One question was hitting them all. How did it happen!!! What was it that took one of them so far, so early? Even for the engineering, there were still a couple of years left….

 Lamented by Naveen's demise, were the sorrow stricken relatives. Pain was unbearable and the consolers' words seemed to be numb for  Naveen's parents. He always feared the helplessness he felt at such catastrophes. He couldnt gather the courage to see his friend who was lying cold in front of him. Generally, people dont expect men to cry and he wondered if it was fair...

 Returning from the funeral, still, the same questions was buzzing his mind. Why?? What happened?? But, this wasnt the right stage to ask. Before leaving back from Faridkot, he promised himself to go to Faridkot a bit more. A promise, that was forgotten in the superficial life later.

 Next day, a holiday was declared in the university. He wondered whether the act was of any help to his friend's parents. He didnt feel like going home and decided to spend sometime with friends.  It was mid-day now and he noticed a few cops in the engineering department. Minutes later, a collmate told him that the cops want to talk to him regarding the incident. He went in the room where they were waiting for him. Then came the sequence of insensitive queries. He answered them all at peace. To his dismay, he was told that next day he would have to report to the police station of the city where Naveen's dead body was found. It was some 90 kms from the university. 

By the end of the day, whole of the group was told to report to the same area.  A few members of the group got releived as they werent supposed to report after a couple of days. But for him, next five days were the worst of his life.  Going daily early morning to a police station 90 kms away where everyone stared at him as if he was responsible for the fateful event, was really tough. Bunkum queries eg "how many paranthas did you have the preceding day at the canteen" and with whom etc were asked, and he didnt have any other option to reply them. But unfortunately, the parantha count didnt match with the canteen porter. He was wondering whether this thing has anything to do with the episode.  After nonsense questioning for five days, probably the cops got it that he was a good friend and nothing else.

He has completed his engineering now. Busy in his own life, sometimes he wonders that had the cops been fairly educated and willing to find out the culprit, rather than validating the parantha count, Naveen's parents would have had a better chance of knowing the reason why destiny took their son away from them. It has been long five years and the questions still remain unanswered!!!!