DIVINE CHAMPIONS: A BOLT OF LIGHTNING

VACATION

"Iceland or Denmark?" Rick asked.

Just at the opposite side of the bed sat Rishi. The summer vacations had started, now that the semester was over. A long two month holiday was up front. Rick was eating Rishi's head out, since he had planned that they would go on a trip away from India. Rishi was reluctant. As tempting the idea to go to Europe was, it was a long trip, away from his family. "Why do we have to go there?" He finally asked.

"To beat the heat that is here." replied Rick.

"Why can't we just go to Kashmir? Or Darjeeling? Or even the Northeast? Why do you have to pay for such a huge trip?"

"That's because I am too rich for Darjeeling. I inherited my Dad's wealth..."

"Yes, I know, I was there 6 years ago. A nice way to be humble, don't you think?"

"Also because I have never gone out of India. So have not you."

"But why do you want to take me to this trip?"

"That's because, Saptarishi Roy, you are my best friend, my brother from another mother. And you have been there for the last 12 years. No boy would talk to me here, or in school, since I was a rich man's kid. You did. Your parents have taken me as their second child, since the death of my parents. You are my only family left. We have been through school life, and are almost through college life, together. Is there any other reason you want?"

"I knew. I just love hearing it from you again and again." Rishi grinned, "Fine, I am in. Where do we go?"

"I gave you the options right now."

"Oh, yes. Iceland, then. I wanna see the last piece of religious stuff from the Viking age."

"The Temple of Edda?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I will make arrangements. You stick to reading those new ones you bought. Goodnight."

Rick pointed his fingers to the comic books. Rishi looked at them too. Oh yes, he was a comic geek. He had all of the superhero comics on his fingertips. After Rick left, he picked one up to read, and looked through his window, down to the main gate of the society. It was huge society Rishi lived in. Eight big white towers, of which he could see only six. His eyes suddenly fixed on the balcony opposite to the window. Yeah. The girl standing there made the twenty year old skinny Saptarishi nervous. Her name was Aitri. They had met before, quite a few times. Her sweet nature, nice behavior, and smart wits had made him fall for her. But, no one knew. Not even his multimillionaire best friend.

Rishi was a smart lad, studying Architecture in Pankhpur's best college, the Mahanagar College. Rick was there too, but in the course of Business Administration. Of course he was, he had to. He was preparing to take control of the company his father had left for him, and his grandfather had created. The two boys differed in many ways, from looks to beliefs. Rishi was tall, Rick was shorter than him. Rishi loved books, Rick preferred movies. Rishi had black eyes, Rick had brown eyes. Rishi was a bit short tempered, Rick was much calmer. Rishi always enjoyed Rick's company, but was grounded enough never to take advantage of his wealth. After all, he saw Rick as a brother he never had. However, there was one thing similar between them. Rishi was a superhero geek, and so was Rick.

Rick's grandfather, Kamal Sarkar, was known to be the greatest architect during his time. He was so famous, that he was hired by the Argentine Government to use a huge space of land to build a habitat for a warrior group of Quechuas. He took upon the task, accomplished it, and was paid such a hefty amount that he put it all on his own construction company and got rich. It was transferred to both his sons after his death. Both Rick's father, Padmanavo Sarkar, and uncle, Ranajay Sarkar, paired up to make the company even better and got super-rich. But after both the brothers died in a plane accident, with both Rick's mother and aunt, Rick was left alone. His only family left was his cousin, Dhriti. Dhriti had absolutely no interest in business and was pursuing his PhD in Los Angeles, USA. And so, Rick was here, the sole heir to the throne.

Five days had passed since the two decided on where to spend their vacations. Rishi had applied for both his passport and visa to Iceland, and had taken permission from his parents, after a long bit of persuasion. Rick had booked tickets. Soon, everyone in Rishi's society knew that he was going to Iceland. Three weeks later, his passport had arrived, and visa was approved too. Rishi was so happy, he had no idea why he was so reluctant of the idea at first. What was he, crazy?

Finally, the day arrived. The two were going to the airport, to catch a flight from New Delhi to Reykjavik. They were supposed to stay there, in a lavish hotel Rick had booked, for two weeks, go places around, and relax. Vikram Sanyal, the man running Rick's company until he was ready, had accompanied Rishi's parents to the airport.

"Our boy has grown up, going on trips all alone." said Mr. Roy. Mrs. Roy corrected her husband, "Our boys have grown up." Mr. Sanyal was smiling.

"What's up, Mr. Sanyal? You seem happy." asked Mr. Roy.

"Oh yes, Mr. Roy, I am. Mr. Sarkar has planned this trip all by himself. This is a sign. He is nearly ready to claim what is his. Now, I can finally rest." said Mr. Sanyal.

While this conversation was going on, the two friends had boarded their flight. A few minutes later, the flight moved. As they rose higher, Rick said, "Two weeks in which we can forget Dahiya."

"That..." Rishi cursed. Harshal Dahiya was the meanest person they knew. He was a bully in school, and did not change a bit in college. The boy was strong, and hence bullied both Rick and Rishi so much that Rick had decided that they needed a trip away to forget all the things he had done.

"Reykjavik, here we come! Yahoo!" exclaimed Rishi, as the aeroplane entered the clouds, and everything below hid beneath those clouds.