Flashback at river side

A beautiful river flows at the bank of our town. It’s around 2 KMs from my place. There is a bridge over it. As bridge is at the ground level, every year in the rainy season water flows out many times causing sort of small floods. It puts vehicles on both sides to halt for 1-2 days. People come with their family and friends to enjoy. It turns out to be a good gathering. Hawkers get chance to earn some more. In my childhood these were the only times when we would visit the river with parents. Otherwise 2 KMs was also considered to be very far.

When I went to high school, restrictions were loosened up a bit. I got a cycle. We friends would often come here in the evening and sit in the bank for a while- Just plain sitting and occasional talking.

It was long back. I completed my high school there and went out for higher studies. Then Job followed. Again going back to that place in some evening remained a wish, which I fulfilled this time, when I went to home.

One evening, me and my old friend (currently involved in his family business) took a bike and headed to that place. My friend was not able to fully understand why I was so excited when we came close to it. The town has changed a lot with new buildings and shops. But river scene was almost same as it was earlier. As if time has stopped there. The same bridge, a small home just at the edge of it(I still don’t know why is it there.), the big banyan tree, the cemetery, long stretched crop fields, mango garden on one side- all looked same as a picture of my memory. I was really delighted. We found a clean place to sit on the bank.

 Sun was about to set painting one part of the sky deep orange. Birds were flying back to their nests in a kite shaped flocks. Occasionally some vehicles were passing by the bridge. Some dark skinned, poor boys were enjoying river bath fully naked. Quite amusingly, they were jumping into the river from the bridge. Then they swim towards the bank, again come up to bridge to jump. We both sailed in old childhood memories. We discussed our present- tensions in work life, future plans, how childhood was much better. In between conversations we had long pauses when we only looked at the far away horizon.  Despite staying in the town my friend also had not come to that place for long time. The hectic work pressure, tight schedules have turned us into machines- totally devoid of emotions, unaware of the happiness found from small things.

Gradually it grew darker. Street lights glowed and light fell on river. It looked beautiful. We sat there for some more time keeping all tensions and deadlines and responsibilities of the world at bay and catching up some fresh air and peace of mind.

Suddenly I heard some music. It was my mobile ringing- call from home. It was time to go.

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Raju Tau and CM

Small towns have heir own distinct characteristics which makes them and people residing there different from others. Despite staying in Bangalore for more than 3 yrs, I am still a Small-Towner from heart, who keeps remembering those sweet, sour, interesting incidents of my growing up days.

Today I will tell the story of a very colorful character in our locality. He was born in a well-to-do family, acquired higher qualifications by going to Delhi University but never did anything to earn a penny. Earlier he used to enjoy his father's accumulated income and later when his son grew and started earning he enjoyed his. In short a very lucky fellow!

We all called him Raju Tau (paternal uncle who is elder to father). He had one great quality. He used to tell  us interesting stories every evening. Stories of his mysterious early life where he escaped near-death situations, challenged powerful people, cured disease of people with his tricks, met great personalities and made friendship with them and many more. We as children loved them. We had no way to know their veracity, neither had we cared for.

In this context one incident is very significant.

Once a sugar factory was started near our hometown and the current chief-minister of our state(CM) was supposed to come and inaugurate that. Obviously there was a lot of noise in the town. Earlier Raju Tau Tau had told us that chief minister was his buddy during college days.

During one of regular evening storytelling sessions,

Pintu:  Raju Tau, u heard?

Raju Tau : What?

Pintu: For sugar factory inauguration chief minister is coming!

Raju Tau: Hmmm

Pintu: U said he was your buddy in college.

Raju Tau : ( raising eyes) Yes, so?

Pintu: (eagerly) let’s meet him. It will be great.

Raju Tau: (couscious)  Hey...Hey...

                It was long time back. He will not recognize me.

Pintu: What da? He will surely remember you! Please..Please..

 Behind asking this question what was his motif I don’t know. But it surely put Raju Tau in dilemma. For us it was double fun. If he really knew CM , we will get a rare opportunity. And if he doesn’t, it would be a treat to see his face!

Raju Tau became serious. He said, he will decide next day.CM was coming next day.we were sure he fooled us.

 Next morning, Pintu came to my home.

Pintu : "hey, Raju Tau agreed to take us to meet the CM!"

Me:    "is he mad. There will be seven layers of security around him. Black cats will shoot us in no time. And I dont want to die so soon.

Pintu: Hey.. dont worry. It will be fun. Let’s go.

On both side of the road that went across our town, people were waiting eagerly to get a glimpse of CM saheb.  Raju Tau and our bunch (in best of uur dresses) too joined the crowd. But we were different, we were special!  Or that was what we thought?

A buzz started: CM is coming! CM is coming! We grew anxious. But Raju Tau's face was strangely calm. Dont know what was going through his mind. In my case it was filled with questions like: Will he approach the CM? Will CM recognize him? Or hell..Does he really know CM?? Will the black cats wait for CMs reaction before shooting?? Will they shoot him first or us? How much time does it take to pull the trigger, the bullet to come out and hit the body?? Will I manage time to sit down and avoid the bullet like in movies?? etc..

We saw a fleet of vehicles coming. When CM's car came close, suddenly with a spontaneous force he rushed towards the car. All were shocked. All vehicles came to halt. Security personal rushed in aiming guns towards him. You could imagine our situation. With heart beating fast, body trembling, legs weakening; we were not even able to move from there.” Oh god, we are gone!”

But Raju Tau didn’t loose his momentum.

With Raju Tau dangerously close to CMs cars, soldiers ready with all guns pointing towards him with fingers on trigger and waiting for order to shoot down in no time, all were looking for was CM’s reaction.

CM came out of his car, looked at him with raised eyebrows. Suddenly a big smile lit his face and he hugged Raju Tau. Indeed Raju Tau was his friend and he recognized him! They met like long-lost friends, exchanged pleasentries.

We were now enthralled, still not able to believe it as real. Immediately Raju Tau called me. I ran, handed over the garland I was holding to Raju Tau.  I saw CM from touching distance!!

CM asked Raju Tau to come with him in the car, which Raju Tau politely declined, not before mentioning that he is coming in his own car. They decided to meet after function so that they can spend some time and catch up with old memories.

Then CM’s fleet again moved and with it moved cars carrying security guards, followers.

 You could see a sense of pride in his face. It was his symbolic tight slap to people who didn’t believe in his claims. In few minutes he had become an important person in town. We too got a share of glory!

Next time onwards we listened to his stories with more interest, believing too.

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