The bike started to jerk, that meant it had finally come to reserve mode. It was 11 pm, we had just crossed Aligarh. After a warm and sunny day of bike ride through beautiful countryside of Uttar Pradesh , along the Grand Trunk road, we had chose to finish the journey on Yamuna expressway. Temperature had dipped dramatically after sunset, and the high speed biking on expressway added to the effect of cold. Finally, the long distance of ride from Allahabad had begun to wear us down, and we wanted the journey to be through ASAP. The biggest danger in such a situation is that pillion has nothing to do, and he is worn out, so he starts getting sleepy, and may fall off the bike, so I had to stay awake. Best thing to do was keep looking for a petrol pump, but there was nothing except long and wide stretch of road for as far as sight went. For once I had this crazy idea that what if there was no petrol pump for such a long distance that all fuel got consumed and we were still left on the expressway, dragging the heavy bike.
Well, kilometers ticked by and we reached Greater Noida, expressway ended, and now we hoped to get a petrol pump. But still the road went on pumpless. Greater Noida ended, Noida started. Noida too passed without a pump, and now we started to get genuinely worried. In a mix of frustration, tiredness and anxiousness, Vishen started riding faster, perhaps too fast given the road and traffic. We entered Delhi, and now our fuel could have ended anytime, situation started to get on my nerves as well.
Finally, we saw a pump, and took a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived as that pump had just closed, and now Vishen's frustration was at its peak. As we moved on, there was a group of people and one of them signalling a diversion. Something had happened there. When we came closer, I saw the most gruesome sight I had seen in my life. A man had met an accident, and was sprawled dead on the road. His limbs disfigured and skewed, his brain out on the road, and a pool of blood... it was extremely disturbing.
We were shaken by the sight. Just ahead we finally found a petrol pump, and refuelled our bike. We needed a break after the anxious ride since Aligarh, and the shocking sight we just saw. Home was still 30km away.
I felt it would be safest for me to ride from hereon, as Vishen was tired, frustrated, and after seeing what we just saw, we wanted to make it as safe as possible. Only risk was that Vishen often starts to doze off on pillion seat, especially now, being so tired, the danger was even more. But still, it was the safest option.
So, I started the last leg of the 1400km long trip, cautiously. I just couldn't shrug off the image of that accident from my mind. I was so paranoid, that I felt something is wrong in my bike too, but I knew I was being paranoid, so kept going slowly. AIIMS passed, and slowly we reached the IIT traffic light. Slowing down to halt at traffic light, in an attempt to lighten the mood, I asked Vishen, "Chalna hai kya IIT?". He didn't reply, it happens, its hard to listen to the other guy on a moving bike. So on stopping completely, I asked again, "Vishen! Chalna hai kya IIT?". Still he said nothing, so I turned back....
and there was nobody on the pillion seat... DAFUQ!!!! Ho gayi bakchodi!
Immediate conclusion: He dozed off and fell. My whole body started to tremble, the sight of that dead body started to flash again in front of my eyes. "Hey bhagwan! Bas Vishen mara na ho! Hath paer toot gaye ho to bhi chalega, bas koi gaadi ke neeche na aa gaya ho" was all I could think. Just then, light turned green, traffic started to move, I had to get to the side of road, but I was trembling so badly that I couldn't change the gear. Vehicles behind me started to honk. Somehow, gingerly, I managed to reach the side of the road and fumbled for my phone.
'Nitin Vishen calling' was already flashing on its screen. "Hello Vishen!! Kahan ho?" I asked, hoping desperately to hear Vishen's voice, and not of somebody else informing something ominous.
"Bho*** ke! Chatarpur pe mil!" was all he said. But it was Vishen over there... phew, so he is alive. I was so relieved I didn't even ask properly what the fuck happened!?
But what the fuck happened??
Ready to leave from petrol pump, occupied with image of the dead man, as I rode on bike and awaited Vishen to sit, he felt its too cold, and he should wear his cap, so he put his bag on pillion seat to take out the cap. As he opened the chain of bag, I felt the weight and took off! "Abey oye!" he called out, but I was so preoccupied with riding safe and slow, I never listened. I felt the difference in weight of bike, but accounted it to my paranoia and kept going on.
Vishen, with his helmet on, plastic sheets on his knees to prevent cold, his eyes blood red because of journey, tried to catch an auto. He managed to frighten away few of them by his appearance, before one of them agreed to take him to Chhatarpur. He called me on phone, but I was still so preoccupied with riding slow and safe, that I never felt that as well, until I reached the traffic light of our alma mater, IIT.
But all is well that ends well! Atleast, Vishen mara to nahi hi tha :D
