Ravanan

Chapter -9

**At the Border of the Athirapally forest**

Three trucks loaded with weapons and food supplies made its way into the dense forest . "What took you so long inspector? I have been waiting for you since yesterday. Anyways welcome to my place", a voice addressed the police trucks . Ragav stepped out of a truck and saw a man lying on the boom barrier . "Hello everyone ! I'm Balaji and I'm responsible for this precious sea of greeneries ", the forest officer introduced himself before Ragav let out a word and he started to describe his career and his experience in the forest by stating that his life is spiraled with the wildlife like a flesh and bone .

Ragav turned away from bala and started to open the long, rusted iron boom barrier. He was in no mood to listen to Bala. Laksman stepped out of the truck and noticed the middle aged bala with a towel wrapped around his neck, standing behind Ragav while keeping his hands in the waist. Ragav opened the heavy barrier and borrowed the towel from bala and wiped out the rust stained in his palm and said ," It seems like you already know everything about us and I don't want to waste my time anymore. Just get to the point. "

With a deep breath bala said," As I said this is my forest. I don't want anyone to spoil my palace . So I will accompany you guys ." Ragav stared into bala's eyes for a second and slowly sauntered towards the truck. Bala understood Ragav and hoped on top of the truck and sat down. "Hey monkey ! Come down and get inside the truck you brainless creature ", Laksman yelled in an annoyed tone. Bala made out a criticizing

gesture and teased him.

The group found a open place to camp . Ragav, with his comrades planted the huge tent and began pounding the stakes around it with a hammer. Laksman planted a tent too . But it flew away and stuck on a tree. The unschooled Laksman slowly claimed the tree to take the tent cover.

" Look at the sloth that called me a monkey. Hey sloth ! why are you embracing and humping a tree . It's not your girlfriend man. Get down you stupid ", bala burst out of laughter and this made everyone to laugh out . Provoked Laksman gazed at Bala and whispered to the officers standing near him that he might kill Bala if he kept exasperating him. Bala slowed his laugh , grabbed his liquor bottle and sat beside Ragav who is still staking the tent.