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.
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