I peered through the window, hesitatingly. I could see the entire activity on the street. Everyone appeared extremely busy in that market place. On the opposite side to my house there is a famous general store called ‘Kerala Vijay General Stores’. A person named Vijayan migrated from Kerala, and in the course of time he opened a general store. Hence it is known as the ‘Kerala Vijay General Stores’. They sell unadulterated food stuff at wholesale prices. Hence there is always a long line of customers. These customers do not mind standing in hot sun. Quality comes with cost!
Next to the general store there is ‘DILPASAND PAN’ shop. They sell pan & tobacco. If you were to have a Sweet Paan there once, then you are an addict! Such was the reputation of that dukaan. A bike was standing next to the Paan Dukaan. A young man whose features I could not see due to huge black helmet. He looked towards the window… our gaze met. He nodded his head, beckoning me to come. It appeared to be the bike engine is kept running. Having told me to come, he was looking straight ahead. He appeared to be having all the time; and it seemed I had no time with me. I rushed out of my house to meet this unknown biker!
As I was crossing the road, I observed from the corner of my eyes, the traffic slowed down by itself! Everyone literally stopped. I crossed the street as leisurely as if I have owned it. I crossed the Kerala Vijay General Stores, Dilpasand pan to reach the biker. As I approached the bike, I folded my hands into Namaste – a gesture of respect extended even to a stranger. He gestured with his helmet head to sit on the rear seat. I sat down. I stole a quick look at my house, I realized that the house became very old, it needs to be demolished, a new house needs to be built. I made a mental note of it. I have decided to call the contractor Mr. Miskeen to discuss the costing. Mr. Miskeen is a contractor long associated with our family. Very reliable contractor.
The helmet man on the bike released the brake, the bike surged smoothly forward. My home, Kerala Vijay General Stores, Dilpasand pan soon were out of sight. We were cruising at high speed, we passed by my office. I could see the lights were on, the office was lit bright, teeming with activity. Before I could see a familiar face in that office crowd, we were beyond office and nearing university, where I completed college education. My university has a huge campus spanning hundreds of acres and has lots of greenery. I wanted to tell him to reduce the speed, but I found myself looking at a school playground. A lonely child is running across the ground, stumbled and fell, injuring his left knee. Blood is oozing out; the boy was crying loud for help. I wanted to reach out to him. A closer look at the boy revealed that the boy was my childhood. I cried out aloud to the rider driver, he seemed to be concentrating on the speed. Either no sound came out me or he did not hear me.
I could now see the clouds, the moon and the infinite sky… many heavenly bodies of which I knew not.
‘Where are you taking me sir?’
No reply.
‘Who are you sir?’
No reply.
‘May I know your Name?’
No answer.
Why is this rider so silent? Where am I being taken? I do not know how long we travelled; the universe looked terrifying. The sky is no more beautiful. It had no stars. I have resigned myself to everything. After some time he stopped the bike. I got down; I knew I have to wait here. Infinite people like me are waiting there. It will soon become day… the day of the judgment.
I looked down at my old house…Doctor checked the pulse once again carefully. While keeping the hand gently back on the bad he said ‘I am Sorry’.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
