What event nearly prevented the author from going to Shirdi, and what role did his friends play in his journey?

The author reveals in Chapter 2 that despite his argumentative nature, he was destined to visit Shirdi due to a past-life connection with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar. It was Kakasaheb's insistence that fixed the trip. However, on the very day of departure, the author's mind suddenly changed. This was triggered by learning about a close friend's tragedy in Lonavala, where the friend's son died from a fever despite all remedies and even the physical presence of his Guru. This incident made the author highly cynical, but the initial push from his friends was the crucial factor that ultimately led him to Shirdi.