The Beer Mystery

The year 1998 witnessed many bizarre incidents such as 66-day power crisis at Auckland, Series of Nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan and Human bomb explosion in Coimbatore. There was one more incident, quite different in nature that took place that year and remained untold. That dramatic event is now being unfolded here as I understand that the aftereffect of this revelation won’t be severe for its protagonists. The Lead character is Indeed I, supported by one of my close companions of those times – Alok.

It were relaxed times after +2 exams. Results were awaited. We took this leisure period as an opportunity to pursue one of our interest areas – Bodybuilding. Days were passing cozily until the day we encountered that incident. I still remember early morning scene of that day. It was about 9 O’clock in the morning when we were returning from the Gym. At the crossroads near our house, our bicycle was stopped by our informer. He came running in gasping and said:

“Two beer cans of last night have been found. It’s seized; you have been summoned…!”

Let’s first go back to the night that caused this event to follow.

It was usual summer black-out in the city that night with no signs of it getting restored. To seek respite from the heat, we went to the roof top of our building. Few others of the building were also present there; lighter moments were being exchanged to pass the time. Suddenly there was a rumor of beer being brought for consumption. Immediately, the matter was reported to the parents.

In a few moments, Alok’s dad appeared in the roof twilight. There was simulated calmness around. His strong voice came piercing the darkness:

“Who has brought beer in house? Who is doing this nuisance?”

There was no answer. To ease out the tension I had to reply:

“Somebody must be kidding. How can one dare to bring beer at home?”

After few spy looks around he went down. Everybody went to hit the bed assuming that the matter was closed.

In the morning…when we heard of summon on us, we could easily make out who had ensnared us. As the scope of this blog doesn’t allow me to discuss ‘Mr. Antagonist’, let that secret be clouded. We had the reputation of spoilt brats, so confronting that allegation was truly scary. We decided not to enter house until our parents move out for some work. In the lull hours after morning, we quietly entered our homes. I took a quick shower and went to sleep, or rather pretending it, to avoid any encounter. There was a wake-up call for me in the afternoon. I was called at Alok’s flat where my dad was waiting. I gathered some vigor by taking few paces across the corridor and went to the face the music.

Scene out there was no less than a court hearing. A chair was kept in front of the panel with a table in between. Panel members were My Dad & Alok’s Dad. Two cans of beer were deliberately kept in the middle of table corroborating it as the centre of the whole issue. Other members of the family seemingly looked to be doing their normal work but they were virtually paused for the hearing. Alok was leaning on the terrace outside – expressionless. I was courteously told to sit.

Question: “Who took these beer cans home?”
I: “Not me.”
“Then Who?”
“I do not know.”
“You will have to find out & tell.”
“How can I?”
“It’s your duty to find them”
“Definitely not.”
“By doing this, you are spoiling yourself and the people around.”
“I’m not doing anything bad & I’m not responsible for others.”
“If this is the cultural legacy we have given you, let’s drink & get spoiled together.”

I had to stop there. This discussion was going no where. I tried to bottle up my emotions but couldn’t hold it any longer. I took a deep breath and blew the steam off:

“Yes…..!, I brought this beer. I apologize for that. It won’t get repeated...!”

Unexpected reply caused an awkward silence in the room. And before that silence could break, I walked out of the room hinting the dismissal of interrogation.

That scene was a blunt demonstration of my emotional fanaticism. I always considered that incident as a regretful moment of my adolescence. That’s why if you now come across me, you will find me a rather subdued guy in this regard.

Here is the honest confession now – “Yes… I & Alok orchestrated the trafficking of 2 Beer Cans that night. It was a conduct that we seriously repent and given a chance to re-write the history, we would surely erase that.”

But what happened to those beer cans ultimately.....?

At the dusk of the same evening, Chandan & Alok were reportedly seen around the Patna Botanical Garden. According to eyewitness accounts, both were found at the corner of Gate-1, consuming canned beer.

Well…The Beer that created all this drama was not to be wasted..!!