A Rainy Night In The Forest. Part-5

There were only two customers in the tea shop. Both of them had just arrived in a Maruthi car. I entered the shop after them.

“A hot hot tea.” I yelled at the shop owner who was trying to make something in the kitchen. I doubted if he heard me but opted to wait as the other two also seemed waiting.

“The road is blocked in the middle of the forest.” I informed my co-customers.

“Is it? Where exactly?”

“In the middle of the forest. Whom should we inform?” I asked.

“You need to inform the forest office right over there.” Showed the shop owner as he was coming with the tea.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I drank the tea in a sip and felt better. It felt the tea was a bit cold due to the shiver and cold I was going through.

I paid him and walked towards the forest office. I could not see anybody at the front. It looked more like a residence than an office.

“Is anybody there?” I shouted. No response. But I could see somebody through the window. He was mixing something, probably preparing his breakfast.

“Is anybody there?” I yelled even louder.

“Yes” came a reply from inside and out came a young man in dhothi.

(to be continued.)

A Rainy Night In The Forest. Part-4

“There is a lot of fog on the way. Still I shall try.” Said I.

I had no choice. If I didn’t reach my office before 10 o’clock, I would lose a day’s salary. I turned my bike around and started back to inform the check post. I could not go far. I had to turn back as the fog was too much that I could not see the road.

The Innova vala asked seeing me back, “Did you inform them?”

“No. I could not go. I have no fog light on my bike.” I showed my irritation.

Another half-an-hour passed. Now many have come out and started passing comments on what to do next.

‘It is better I try going once more. I can have a cup of hot tea too, which will warm me up.’ I thought. I turned my bike around for a second time and headed towards the check post.

The Sun was up and the fog had subsided. On the way I saw some vehicles hurrying past me. “Go, go. Go fast and wait there.” I told them in my mind.

There is a tea shop before the check post. I had started to shiver. "Better have the tea first." I thought and entered the tea shop.

A Rainy Night In The Forest. Part-3

As it was getting colder due to the increasing rain, I thought I need to have a shelter from the rain. I slowly approached the pickup van and asked the driver.

“Shall I sit here for a while? It has started to rain heavily.”

“I am sorry. The seat will get wet.” Answered the driver.

“I will sit only at this corner.”

I tried to persuade him. But he nodded a “NO”.

I just smiled and moved to the jeep behind. There were a few people inside so I thought better not to ask. Then next was a truck. I knocked the door. No response. I knocked louder. The response was the same. Then I banged at the door and understood ‘it is easy to wake a sleeping man up than the one who pretends sleeping.’

I smiled and moved on and thought of the basic human nature – selfishness. We speak a lot about selflessness. But most often, when it comes to us, all of us are selfish, one way or the other. Sometimes we help a poor. But if we look inside, we can see that it is for others to see that we are helping in nature or to be blessed by God for the good deed we do. We love others so that others love us or not to be hated by them.

Slowly, the Sun was showing his face and so were the people in different vehicles on both the sides of the block. I asked a person who has just showed up.

“Has anyone informed the check post?”

“The people at the other side might have.” He answered.

Another typical nature of humans - ‘I have no time for that. Let him do it.’

I climbed over the tree and jumped to the other side and enquired.

The answer was, “I have not. They might have.”

I crossed back to my side and said to those who were standing there. “Nobody has informed at the check post.”

One gentleman took his apple phone out and lifted up for signal and said, “There is no coverage here or else I would have called up and informed.” Obviously, there is no chance we can get coverage for any network in the middle of the forest.

Another person who came in an Innova said to himself so innocently, “If somebody who has a motorcycle could go and inform them...” Poor fellow. It’s a bad luck that Innova has no reverse gear!

(to be continued.)

Happy Independence Day.

A Rainy Night In The Forest. Part-2

As it was only 4 O’clock in the morning, there was nobody on the road. I was finding it difficult as the drizzle was blocking my vision. I have to cross a forest on my way. It is at the boarder of Kerala and Karnataka. It measures around 40 km through the thick forest with many hairpin curves. As I entered the forest, it started to rain heavily. I drove slowly through the rain s I had no choice.

Two cars over took me splashing the rain water on me. I started feeling cold. After a few kilometers, the rain stopped. But I could not speed up. The mist was blocking the way. I could hardly see a few meters. I drove dead slow and continued. When I reached the middle of the forest, I saw a line of vehicles. I just overtook them and went ahead. I could not go far. The road was blocked by a big tree which fell across the road. I couldn’t even see the other side, partially due to the thickness of the leaves of the fallen tree and partially the darkness. The first vehicle on the line was a pick-up van.

I asked the driver, “When did you reach here?”

“Around 5 O’clock”, he answered.

I looked at my watch. It showed 5.30 in the morning. The rain started again.

(to be continued.)

A Rainy Night In The Forest Part-1

It was a rainy night. Was it a coincidence that I decided to return on that night? Might not be. It was a night on a rainy season. No wonder, the days and nights are rainy.

I found it hard to open my eyes as I am used to getting up late in the morning. I got ready and had a cup of black tea. I usually don’t have black tea or coffee. But it is necessary now as it is a rainy night. I need it to keep my body warm.

I got my vehicle out of the garage. You are mistaken. It is not a BMW or a Benz. It is a Bajaj Platina, an eight-year-old motorcycle. My first and the only vehicle I ever had.

As I had filled enough petrol the previous day, I started it confidently and waved good bye to my sweetheart. Kids were asleep and will know that I am gone only in the morning. It was drizzling. I had my rain coat on. I slowly moved into a memorable night.

 (to be continued...)