ARMY life is full of adventure, and, at times, even colourful.  I remember a memorable anecdote which I experienced as a young officer in my unit (4 Horse) at Pathankot in 1974.An officer on joining, was put through a rigorous orientation training. Till such time he completed his Young Officer’s course, he was not even given a tank troop to command. Very few talked to him, and he was supposed to listen, and learn, spending most of the time with troops in the garage,  maintaining tanks. I was also put in the athletics team, and every morning, ran 10-12 km in the sands of Chakki bank, along with the athletes.There was another sword of Damocles hanging on my young head — to pass the regimental history test. Until I passed it, I could not leave the premises of the unit, what to talk of leave or an out pass.  Howsoever hard I tried, I would fail every time (perhaps done intentionally as part of grooming). I would spend hours in the mess, and silver room, mugging up the details, but to no avail. It was nearly three  months, and I had not been to  Pathankot city. I was feeling suffocated, and badly wanted a change.One day, I decided to bunk at night. I put on a good dress, quietly sneaked out of the unit, came on the main road to Pathankot, and jumped in the first available vehicle passing by. I reached the city, and felt like a free bird. I decided to go to the best hotel for a meal. First, I ordered a large drink. Lo and behold! The cabaret dance had also begun. A shapely girl danced to my favourite number, “Sheeshe se pee ya pemane se pee”. I had another drink. After some time, the girl started moving around, and came towards my table. As she caressed my cheeks, smiling and singing, I forgot all about the seniors’ bullshit, guard checks, and the history test. Now, it was only bliss, which continued till about midnight, when the bar closed. I enjoyed a good dinner, and came out of the hotel, fully rejuvenated.It was 1 am, and the streets were empty. From where I was, the unit was a good 13 km away. It was very cold. I said to myself what use was the commando course, if I couldn’t run back 13 km. After all, I had been a Battalion Under Officer in the academy, coming in ‘excellent’ in cross country. I took off my leather Oxford shoes and started running towards the unit, barefoot, along the road. I didn’t care about who was seeing me or not. It took me about an hour and half to cover the distance and reach the regiment. It was now about 3 am, everyone was fast asleep. I sneaked into my room. Had a bath, and then slept.The next morning, I was in the PT ground. My senior subaltern, Lieut RS Kanwar, asked me, “RD, where were you last night?” I stood in attention, and replied softly, “Sir, went to see a cabaret dance in Pathankot.” He was too good an officer. He smiled and said, “I will talk to you later.” Of course, I was checking night guards for the next one week. Fiqar not!