As I had written earlier, I had leased house in a village very near to Ramnagar during my studies. My parents were in Bangalore. Sometimes I loved my privacy. My friends used to be there with me after our classes. I showed them computer and its operations.
When my 3rd semester was approaching, we had a lot to be prepared. I was weak in Accountancy. My friends helped me in that. We started group study in our house.
After one such study, my friends departed at 7:30 and I went to prepare dinner. But as usual, there was a power cut. I used emergency light and cooked rice. Then I went to mosque on my bike.
When I was riding back, I thought of getting some vegetables, but the shops were closed and very few people were seen in the market place. I was a little late. It is common there, that after late evenings people don't roam around and stayed indoors. I too went on the way to my house. One or two persons would be seen in the streets now and then. Except for them, the roads were deserted.
I was riding on the empty road where to my left hand side were two burial grounds. First was a Hindus and a little further on the same road, was Muslims. I took an opposite right turn and was near to my area when I sensed someone. My bike's headlight spotted a man from a distance. He was asking lift to a incoming scooter. The rider mercilessly sped away ignoring him. I was approaching him too and he waved his skinny hands frantically to stop me. I slowed down and stopped. He was a short guy, trimmed hair, round eyes and fair. He looked abnormal even by the way he walked. His left leg was shorter than his right. He was in his 30s but looked childish. He slowly walked up to me and stammered, 'Please brother, drop me near Sheru's Hotel.' Sheru's Hotel was 2km on the other side of the Bangalore-Mysore highway.
I felt pity on him seeing his abnormal conditions and I told him to be seated. He staggered a bit to climb on the backseat. I turned my bike towards highway. I thought he must be mentally challenged.
This guy sitting behind me was holding my right arm for grip. From the moment he sat behind me, he went on thanking me and praying for me. He said, 'Brother, you helped me. You helped a abnormal man in this world where nobody cares for others. You are a good person.'
I said, 'No it's ok. You are welcome.' But he went on saying, 'No I mean it brother, I pray that you be happy and prosperous. The JINNS will be with you. They won't let any harm come to you...' I was taken aback when I heard about jinns. Then he started whispering something. It sounded like gypsy prayer.
The roads were empty. And the night was silent except for the sound of my bike and his whispering in my ear. It seemed to me that it was taking longer than usual to reach this damned hotel. I wanted to drop him soon.
Finally, we reached the highway and crossed it. I stopped near Sheru's hotel. The area was deserted. Not a soul to be seen even here. All shops and hotels were closed. He thanked me smilingly and holding my arm, got off the bike with some difficulty. He looked more fair in the moonlight.
I told him to take care of himself and moved my bike a few feet away and suddenly applied brakes. A speeding luxury bus crossed past me on the highway leaving a cloud of dust. Had I been a moment late in applying brake, my bike would have been on the highway and I would have been crushed beneath the bus!
I can hear my own heart beat inside me with fear. It was a near-death experience for a moment! The cloud of dust momentarily blinded me. I turned my face away to avoid the dust. When I opened my eyes. I saw the roads empty. I couldn't see the man whom I dropped a couple of seconds ago. He can't hide anywhere. He can't run anywhere that fast, with his physical conditions. Then where did he go? Who was he? Did he disappear? I carefully crossed the highway and went back to my home.
Next day I told my friends about this incident. They said they are used to such stories. One of my close friend said that many of his relatives who visit this village has seen this man whom I described. He is seen asking lift from the passing vehicles. However it's interesting that the local people of the village has not seen him, but heard from others!
Till today I cannot come to a conclusion as to who he was and what did he wanted with me.
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