The dashboard clock blinked 9:02 as I hit the State Highway. It is eerie dark and the visibility is only limited to headlights showing occasional milestones to confirm my path. Villages usually go quiet after dark and possibilities of seeing commuters are bleak – not even a bullock-cart in sight, on this dark narrow stretch devoid of street lights. Tonight the sky is moonless and shady banyan trees on either side add to the loom.
I have never experienced this part of India, the deeply remote villages practically inaccessible by any kind of public transport. As I wind my way I have to suppress thoughts of the car breaking down, or hitting a flat tire. I check the fuel gauge and tell myself that I am not running out of gasoline. A slight nervousness creeps into my system as I drive cautiously and steadily.
After almost 40 minutes of driving I exit into a local village road, a rather trodden path. I seem lost and unable to identify my location. 60 kilometers to Kunkeshwar, but it seems like I am driving into never ending nothingness. Suddenly I glimpse a small red light few feet away. Could it be a bike? I pray it is! Peddling on the accelerator, I try to reach it, but the winding road makes it difficult. Speeding at deadly pace of 100kmph, I should be able to catch up soon, I think to myself. 15 minutes of chase but the distance between does not seem to decrease. I wonder if I am hallucinating. There is only one way to find out… to reach that light!
At one steep turn, I lose the sight of the light and my heart skips a beat. Maybe I am imagining! I drive on with diminished hopes only to see the red-light again which is now closer. The curvy road had put out of sight. I speed up again and finally approach it. It is a bike of a villager commuting 2 lady passengers behind him, cramped up but comfortable.
Suddenly panic strikes as I wonder what they are doing this late since Village folk retire early. Are they thieves or avoidable company? I approach the trio cautiously and ask them for directions since I was lost anyhow with no more milestones to guide me. Suspiciously wondering of how I could have emerged from this darkness, in such oddity, they give me directions which I cannot understand. I request them to lead me, but ahead is a junction where we would have to part ways.
As we reach the fork, the ladies offer to let me stay the night at their place. I take their advice as it is too dark and too late for me to venture on my own again. At their place, they serve me food of rice and curry, hot water for bath and a warm bed to sleep. Next morning, I thank my new friends I leave to my destination.
