THAT FACE IN THE DARK – Narayanan Ramakrishnan

The day began bright and sunny as any other day. I remember that day, in particular, because of the lesson I learn which was delivered to me in a totally unexpected manner. In the evening it started raining heavily in the evening without any premonition of bad weather whatever and I was caught in a piquant situation wondering how to escape nature’s fury. My son, who was just four years and I had planned to take him to a birthday party on my bike as my wife had to take care of younger baby girl, who was just an year old and indisposed due to slight temperature. In those days, mobile phones were beyond our wildest imagination, and I as a matter of precaution ensured that my wife could use my friend’s land line in case of any emergency.
My son always eagerly ready for the ride and was excited about the outing for which he had got ready in the morning itself. Time passed slowly for him and he eagerly waited for the clock to strike six in the evening when we would go on my bike. He was delighted when we left at 6.00 pm sharp and after comforting my wife who had to stay at home. I was inwardly happy that I could go as I was also looking forward to a fun filled evening. Soon along with my son, I literally flew to my friends house which was a few kilometers away on my bike.
I was in high spirits envisioning all that I would do- have fun, joke around and pull the legs of some of my colleagues, who would also return it in same measure. There would also be a lot of stories, gossip and anecdotes bordering on the risqué with a lot of double entendre dialogue especially if the fairer sex were present.. What would be partying without a glass in hand and tongue full of concocted stories? Some of those at the party would be ready with songs made of suggestive lyrics to which would add spice to the gathering. Those not ready to break the ice and continue to be serious with a stiff upper lip while sporting an officious look would be shunned. I also took care to ensure that my son enjoyed the food and was happy playing with other kids.
The evening went on and soon it was time to go home. It was drizzling when we started and it soon started raining cats and dogs. Now adding more to the problem was my son who was fast asleep, clinging to my shoulders as I parked my bike and took shelter in a nearby bus stop. I could not leave my bike and take an auto back home because the vehicle would have been stolen by the time I came back. . The bus stop where I stood for escape the lashing rain was already crowded. I finally decided to catch an auto and get back but there were none available due to the rain when autos usually become scarce. Time was running fast and it was around 10 pm. It was getting late and I was tense thinking of my wife and daughter at home who would also be anxious. There was no way to communicate and the stress was becoming unbearable.
A man with an umbrella appeared suddenly apparently from nowhere and invited me to share his umbrella while I waited for an auto. He noticed my son on my shoulder and soon I unburdened myself to him, explaining that I had enjoyed the evening leaving my sick daughter and wife at home but was stranded with no means of transport. He probably realized that even if the rain was to stop, I could not ride the bike with my son sleeping on my shoulders. The stranger asked me to wait and assured me that he would be back. In a few minutes, he was soon back riding a bike and asked to sit on the rear seat carrying my son. He asked me for my address and soon we were off on the road to my house.. When I reached home, my wife very thought something untoward had have happened because I had come without my bike. She soon carried my sleeping son to the bedroom and after drying him, put him to bed. I enquired after my daughter and she told me that her fever had come down. I told my wife that I had to go and get my bike with the stranger who was waiting outside my house all the time, seated on the two wheeler, protected by his helmet and a plastic sheet covering his torso like a raincoat. He had refused to accept my invitation to him to come inside for a quick cup of tea and we went back again and son reached the spot where I left my bike.
I thanked the stranger and was wondering how I could ever repay his kind gesture of taking me home. I kept thanking the man whose face I could not see properly in the darkness and rain. Suddenly he turned his head towards me and said in Malayalam,
“You need not bother about repaying me for having taken you home. In future if you ever find someone in trouble like you were some time back, do not fail to help.” He kick started the bike and continued, “Don’t bother introducing yourself. And you need also not know who I am. We are just two strangers who met on a rainy evening. That’s all.”
His bike disappeared into the rain and I stood staring at him. Maybe, I would never see him again. Maybe even if we met , I would not recognize him. He would be just another face among the many whom I would see while in a bus, train or a theatre. Yet, I now knew that humanity still existed on earth.

Narayanan Ramakrishnan Purely an amateur. Was a salesman in a tea company and after experimenting with business ideas which failed, settled down as a front office executive of a brokerage firm. In my late forties am now free as a bird, having resigned from this job, spending lot of time with the TV, FB and Whatsapp. Sheer love for the language is the force that drives me to write though I know that I have miles, miles and miles to go before I can even be considered a good disciple.