What events nearly prevented the author from making his first trip to Shirdi?

The author's first journey to Shirdi was arranged due to the insistence of Kakasaheb Dixit. However, as detailed in Chapter 2, the trip was almost canceled at the last minute. The author's mind changed suddenly because of a tragic event that befell a very close friend in Lonavala. This friend's only son, despite being healthy, was suddenly stricken with a fever. Despite trying all human remedies and divine rituals, and even having the friend's Guru sit by the son's side, the child ultimately passed away. Witnessing this difficult situation, where even the presence of a Guru was in vain, deeply affected the author and made him question his impending journey to see another spiritual master, Sai Baba.