The story so far:On board with strange sailors, it’s hard work for Dhruv and Keya. David, their new found companion, tells them that the ship is searching for India under orders from their Prince.
“Your Prince? Who is that?” asked Keya.
“The ruler of our nation...”
“You still have kings and princes? What country are you talking about?” asked Keya, rather confused.
“Why Portugal of course!”
“But dude, Vasco da Gama has already come and gone!” said Dhruv.
“Vasco da Gama? Who is that?” said the boy in disbelief. “Our Prince Henry has put in so much money for us to find this route.”
“Come on man, Vasco da Gama....” said Keya.
“...The first Count of Vidigueira! The explorer from your country...he was the first European to reach India by sea! You’ve got to know this!” exclaimed Dhruv.
“Yes, he linked Europe to Asia through the oceans...”
David’s face was blank ...nothing made any sense.
“There’s something seriously wrong here!” said Keya.
“I know...” said Dhruv. “It’s like we have travelled back in time...”
Realisation
Keya’s face blanched and her eyes widened. “Moti Uncle... and that drink he made us have...I am sure this is an experiment. You know...that is true...take a look at these guys, the way they talk, behave...and the ship!”
“Oh my god! Yes! Amma is not going to be amused this time, for sure. And, it has to be even before da Gama’s time!”
“He landed in Calicut in 1498. So, I am guessing we must be sometime in the early 13th century.”
While they were still getting their heads around this, “BOY!” came another shout, and David left them sprinting away to the sound of the command.
“You realise what this means?” asked Keya, worriedly.
“Yes. We are on an adventure of a lifetime!”
“No silly! We are trapped in a time warp and may never get out of it...”
Just then, David called over to them and gave them work to do. Mishti followed.
For the rest of the day they had chores lined up. By the time the sun set, they were tired and looking forward to a good night’s rest. They found space below deck and, uncomfortable though it was, they were fast asleep as soon as they lay down. Mishti snored loudly, yelping and running in her sleep.
Suddenly, they were thrown out of their comfortable sleeping corner. Dhruv woke up when his head hit a plank, and Mishti was thrown on to Keya. The ship swayed...from right to left and then back again. It rose and bucked. It felt like they were on horseback.
“What is happening?” asked Keya, sounding scared.
“It’s a storm. Come on, we need to be on deck. There will be work for us!” said David.
“You crazy or something?” asked Dhruv. “If we go up there in this storm we are sure to fall into the sea! And I don’t fancy bobbing in salt water all over again.”
“If we don’t go up there one of the men will come and get us and they will whip us for not doing our work!”
“Whip us!” shouted Keya and Dhruv in fear.
On deck, they braced themselves against the strong wind and rain. It was cold too. Keya and Dhruv were ill equipped to handle the rough weather. They were still dressed in their track pants and t-shirt. They watched the crew running around, hauling ropes, getting down the mainsails, someone shouting orders... There was an apprentice high up in what looked like a bucket and as the wind kicked and bucked the vessel, he swayed. Dhruv and Keya held their breath wondering if the pole would break and the man would go headlong into the water.
The boatswain shouted orders — “Reef ...” and the rest of the order would be swallowed up in the wind. Or “Run ...wind” and more such orders that made no sense to them.
The deck was wet and slippery. Towering walls of water, driven by powerful winds, slammed into the ship. Sharp prickles of rain fell on them and they flinched with each cold drop on their bodies.
To be continued...
