5 KMs unforgettable lift to a
stranger!
Could not read the negative gestures
in a rear mirror…
Really, life at
times gives an experience that leaves one feeling an interior human. I
recollect that when we were travelling by a car from Jalandhar to Ferozepur and in order to enjoy more countryside we
stopped at different places by the road side.
We were passing
through the Lohian Khas – a place known for refreshment of ‘poori-chhole’ at
the small junction station. As soon as we reached on the road and train passage
say more than century old bridge over Sutlej, working since the British time,
the car gave an unhealthy jerk and the engine stopped working in between the
bridge. It failed to restart despite my repeated attempts. Leaving my wife inside the car, I came out of
the car to ask for the help from tractor-trolley which was moving ahead of
us.
Since it was
single way track, the whole traffic behind us was stopped, the gate man from
the other end also came hurriedly as to what has happened as it was the time to
close the bridge for crossing the train.
The modus-operandi of the bridge was that the entry from one side is
allowed for some time in normal course and then from other side. But at the
time of crossing of the train, it has to be stopped from both ends.
The car was
toed with the trolley and taken out of the bridge of dual road-rail track. Then a person coming from behind overlook me
and screeched to a halt some meters ahead.
A man in well dressed, instantly asked in a Punjabi tone, ‘Ki ho gya
bhaji” - What has happened brother !
Having checked that I needed help, he asked, “let me check up”. After opening the bonnet of the car, the wire
attached with the condenser was tightened and I was asked to restart the
car. It was OK. Then he asked for a lift up to next stoppage
about 10 KMs from that place, which I could not refuse against the gesture
shown to us. I gladly asked him to sit
on the rear seats.
However, recalling
an unhappy experience of a friend in similar circumstances, my judgment turned
negative. I started reading his gesture
through the rear mirror and became mentally ready for a con. I also tried to
detect hints of a triumph in his smile.
Without
entering into any conversation, we passed 5 KMs distance peacefully but after
that he asked me stop the car to drop on the road side village as he would like
to meet someone in this village. We dropped him and moved ahead for our
journey.
My cynical
thinking continued. I cursed for myself for having given a lift to the
stranger. Unconsciously, I turned to see
the small bag lying on the back seat after travelling another 20 KMs and to my
surprise; it was missing which contained cash and important documents. The
stranger might have thrown out of the window and that is why, he got down 5 KMs
before his destination to collect the bag from the road side.
I was suddenly
seized by a sense of guilt for giving a lift to the stranger. We were left with
no alternative except to curse ourselves and decided not to give a lift to any
stranger who has already cost us too much.
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