Four boys stumble across a mystery in the sinister Gunpowder House near the River Ganges at Park Colony, Ishapore. The mystery deepens in the first week of April. Strange incidents follow, and it's up to the four to unravel what happens finally, and...
We reach at home. And our faces flush with excitement and exhilaration, to see the treasure inside. "Come in, let's break open the box now...I am bringing a tool or two from the garage."
Anuraag says-"Whatever in it would be priceless, I hope..."
"Less talk and more action!" I burst out. "Just give it a whack and see."
Srijan, Anuraag and Siddharth wait in the living room while I bring a wrench. Without much effort, Anuraag breaks open the box but to his dismay, it seems just a tarnished gold ring at first sight with a tear-drop stone shaped over it.
Anuraag passes the ring to Srijan and Siddharth. They have a quick look before passing it on to me. I polish the ring and look at it through various angles.
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The ring was pretty heavy. It was beautifully crafted, with minute details all across. It was an excellent example of fine craftsmanship, and the tear-drop stone was covered with a two-layer design pattern all across it. I notice a reddish tint on the tear-drop stone. I toss the ring up in the air and catch it. It makes a beautiful crimson arc halfway into it's flight.
"No Anuraag, don't be disappointed. This ring is indeed special. Have a look again."- I say, beaming with excitement.
I bring a steel knife and before anyone is able to say anything, I try to scratch the tear-drop with it. They feel relieved on seeing that I hadn't cut my finger. I tell everyone to have a look at the ring.
"Not even a mark!"- Siddharth exclaims.
"Yes, exactly. It is probably a gemstone."- I reply.
I draw out the sharp edge of the knife across the tear-drop and try to scratch it again.
The ring fills the room with an intense crimson colour and a red glow. It was as if the stone had come back to life. I toss the ring up and all of us try to catch it, laughing our hearts out. We had finally succeeded!!
Dad comes on hearing the commotion in the living room. He remains spellbound for a moment, then he takes the ring and examines it carefully. Mom arrives as well...Excited to know the story, she brings some snacks and cold drinks for us and sits down to listen.
Dad asks all of us to sit down and explain everything. He calls up Anuraag's and Siddharth's parents and tells them not to worry about them as they were here.
"Where did you get this ring from? And this is ...it is probably ruby...a very rare one.."- pointing to the tear-drop.
We take turns explaining the various events briefly, me adding some points when something's left out.
Mom scolds me for risking our lives in this adventure by not informing her and for taking my cousin Srijan.
"But all's well that ends well, isn't it?"- Srijan comes to my rescue. "And it was great fun! I will never forget this summer."
"Well done lads!! Hmmm...But it hasn't ended yet. Although you all found this beautiful ring, this is Government Property, and we can't keep it. So let the right people handle this matter. I'll call up Mr. Roy and the police and inform them about this discovery so that they can take appropriate actions"- saying this, Dad hands me the ring and goes outside to call Uncle Roy.
"Dada, this looks so much like the Soul Stone. And just when we find it, we have to hand it over. This is bad."-Srijan exclaims.
"Yeah, kudos to you. We wouldn't have found this ring if it were not for you. I feel bad too, that we can't keep it with us..."- I say, realizing that our week-long adventure was finally coming to an end.
"Mr. Roy will come tomorrow along with the police. Please come to see the end of this adventure you all pulled off, Siddharth and Anuraag."- Dad says.
It was already 11 P.M... I bid Anuraag and Siddharth goodnight and tell them to come tomorrow in the morning. Back at home, I spend the night explaining to Dad about various questions and doubts regarding our adventure.
That night I kept the ring close to me, and time and again I watched it glitter like a star. Time flew by the window, and I slept tightly.