The Ride and The Aftermath

This story was narrated by a dear friend of mine. 10% fiction added to make it more readable

On a beautiful weekend, I went on this long ride on my sports bike to Talacauvery from Bangalore (route: Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri-Bhagamandala). The ride was mind blowing except for the frequent road humps. After entering Coorg, it is a biker’s dream come true for the greenery, serenity and coolness of the wind blowing on your face as you wroom.

I had planned to get back home from Talacauvery on the same day only. I had another 100 km to cover and it was quite dark. I had never rode more than 400km on a single day. Obviously, I was excited to cross that landmark. However, I was not sure of the route and I had put all my trust in Google Maps. Alas! The road was not in good shape and with the headlamps, it was turning out to be twilight like love story between the potholes and me.

I was at comfortable 40kmph and crossing through a town. I could hear kannada songs being played on the loudspeakers. An orchestra was taking place. Most of the people were on the road listening and grooving their body probably in drunken state. I guess, I got amused at the sight. I knew honking would have no effect in front of the loudspeakers. So, made a way in my mind and started treading that path.

Out of the blue, a small creature dashed out in front of me. My fingers started to apply brake before my brain could realize what was happening. My shoulders turned the handle of the bike and my brain almost relaxed thanking heavens for avoiding a mishap. However, the protruding mirror of the bike had other thoughts and nudged creature’s head.

Basically, I had hit a kid while riding bike, at night, in an unknown town.

This time even my fingers were slow to react and I could finally stop the bike 10 meters ahead. I turned back to see the child rubbing its head. The kid had not fallen down. Involuntarily I heaved a sigh of relief since it was obvious that the impact of the accident was quite less. I was about to thank my fortunes, but something more was in store for me.

The drunken men of the town were quite bored with the orchestra I surmise. I suddenly became the center of attention! A biker at night had hit an innocent child. The mob turned on me!

Before I knew what was happening, I was no longer sitting on the bike. My bag was snatched away. I don’t remember about my helmet, but even that got taken off my head. I started hearing loud thuds and it took me few seconds to realize that I was getting beaten up! Thanks to the heavy and bulky cramster jacket that I was wearing, the blows to the body were reduced. Things became blur after a moment. I saw something sparkle on the roadway. It was my spectacles. I shouted at someone to give it back to me. The very next moment, his foot landed brutally on it and that was the last I saw of it. Of course, with the reduced vision now!

The thrashings continued. I was pushed from one side to the other. The mob was in inebriated state and they themselves were finding it difficult to stand straight. Nonetheless  the blows started increasing. I got a tight slap to my left ear and then there was total silence (yeah, just like the movies). It was after a minute or two that I regained my hearing ability, at least partially!

After few more minutes, I felt someone tugging me away. Some strange looking chap started riding my bike and I could perceive that I was sitting behind him. The guy didn’t know to ride a bike! He heaved on the throttle and somehow, the bike started moving. I made an attempt to ask where he was going to take me. I heard “Police Station” and I was totally blank. Scenes from movies where police thrash thieves with those oiled canes started forming in my helpless mind. I turned back and there were around 6-7 bikes chasing us! I didn’t know if I should be happy or sad.

At the police station, the policeman was a decent guy. Instantly, I knew he was there to help me and I got little confidence that I will live up to tell my ordeal. He started reasoning out with the mob and warned them that if a case is registered, then they would be the ones inside lockup!

At that moment, the child who I had hit came inside the police station. The child was full chilled out without a worry in the world! Even the inspector commented that I was in far worse condition than the kid I had hit!

We went to the local hospital and the doctor after examining the child said there might be internal bleeding! I was the one with an internal rupture! I was demanded to pay 5000 INR for a CTI scan. I coughed up 3500 INR, signed an agreement that everything is settled and that I could finally go to home.

Some gentleman returned my bag (with all my things intact) and I sat on my bike and started riding. But, I was not able to see the road ahead with my naked eyes and with lot of difficulty reached home at 1am. My mom opened the door and asked me something? I could read her lips that she was asking reason for not picking the phone.

But, I was not able to hear anything..

P.S

1.  In case you are driving and you hit someone, best thing to do is to surrender yourself at a nearby police station. Even stopping at the spot may work against you. By going to police station, at max, a case can be booked. But, your life will be saved. 

2.  The author owns a cruiser bike and should not be mistaken with the protagonist of the story.

The Girl in Red - Part 2

(Read Part 1 here)

Hassan bus stand is the largest bus stand I have ever seen. It is like a giant stadium. One has to walk quite a distance to reach one platform from the other.

As the bus neared Hassan bus stand, only five people were in the bus and even she was there! While getting down, I overheard her asking the conductor in which platform Chikmagalur buses stand. I thought to myself, it is a lucky day after all. But then, I remembered her earlier reply and was in a dilemma. I waited for a minute for her to get down. But, she was nowhere to be seen.

I had to run to my platform to catch a bus to Chikmagalur. It was already 10pm and at this hour, buses to Chikmagalur usually are very crowded. So, I rushed to my platform. Soon, a Chikmagalur bound bus arrived and I barely managed to grab a seat. I was still looking out for her, because I was sure she had asked for Chikmagalur bus and she had to catch this bus. When the bus was about to depart from the platform, I saw someone far away waving at the bus driver.

The person was wearing red dress and this was the same girl. But, she had a long way to reach and I wondered how she would be able to manage with the luggage. The driver stopped the bus. It was a terrible sight to see her struggling and carrying the bags. She had to make two trips with the luggage from the other platform to the bus. I had an urge to get down from the bus and help her. But, my help was rejected once and second time rejection would be overtly embarrassing.

I thought to myself, if only she had said yes earlier, I could have been of great help to her that day. Anyhow, she got in and took the last available seat.

After an hour, I reached my destination (3km before Chikmagalur) and while getting down glanced at her and she was smiling at me and made an expression "If only I had said yes earlier, I could have saved myself from the weightlifting!" 

I smiled back and made an expression: "Next time, dear" and got down from the bus.

I understand girls’ plight completely. A girl can’t accept help from a stranger. But, does it mean she should suffer? What do you think? 

The Girl in Red - Part 1

So, the bus broke down and we were all waiting on the road. It was then that I saw her…

It was late. Late by an hour to say the least. The dials on my watch pointed to 4 o’clock. I had taken a marco polo city bus to majestic from the hostel. At majestic, I quickly got down and started sprinting towards KSRTC platform from BMTC bus stand. My destination was Chikmagalur. It is a six hour journey from Bangalore. I usually do not book ticket for day journey.

Only Hassan bus was readily available. From Hassan, it is one hour journey to Chikmagalur. I was not in the mood to wait, so I took the Hassan bus. In this bus, there was only one door at the rear and I did not want any disturbance, so I took the seat far away from the door and sat in the seat just behind the driver.

The journey was uneventful during the initial three hours. Perhaps, it was because I had straight away slipped into a deep slumber the moment I got into the bus.

I was jolted by the sudden acceleration. It took me few seconds to realize I was in the bus. The time was 7 30pm. The driver was explaining to the conductor that the clutch plate had given away and to tell the passengers to get down and catch any other bus.

I was the first to get down from the bus and soon enough all the forty odd passengers were on the road waving at any vehicle which looked like a bus. Two buses passed and they didn’t stop. Curses followed and now people were determined to stop the next passing bus at any cost.

I had just a backpack and was jogging around with ease. Then I spotted her, in a red kurti. She had a backpack and two extra-large bags. They looked heavy! At that moment, a bus stopped and people were trying to get inside. I climbed inside, but the bus was not going to Hassan, so I got down.

She hadn't moved from the spot. I mean how could she? With those two bags, I wonder if I could have moved swiftly. Now, about 15 people were remaining and waiting. I was bored. I mustered some courage, went near her and stood next to her.

Finally, I asked her "Hey, don't get me wrong..." But, only my mouth had made some movements. Not a single word was audible of what I spoke. (I mean seriously, I only could not hear).

She glanced at me and made an expression of "What the hell do you want?"

I blurted out "Hey, don't get me wrong, but do you need help with your luggage?"

This time I was loud enough. I hadn’t expected her to say yes. But, she acted as if I was asking her to marry me or something and answered with a hint of arrogance "I can manage".

I felt like she slapped me. I had genuinely offered help and would have done the same if it was an old man or any other person too.

Anyway, a Hassan bus arrived soon enough, I quickly hopped in and grabbed a seat. I didn't bother to check if she also got into the bus.

The bus started and the journey continued.

To be continued…


Part 2