He was not sure about the road, but couldn't stop anywhere. It was his daughter's 1st birthday and had to reach home for the family function. His family had hosted a function today. He remembered his conversation with his wife this morning "I understand it is important to go but can't you postpone for a day at least?". "Baby I know it's her 1st birthday.." "It's not about that..I can't explain but somehow I don't have a good feeling about today". "Baby just relax. Let me meet that guy today and fix the things. He is leaving tomorrow and rest everything will be handled by his manager. I have persuaded him to this low now. If I step back today, you very well understand what we will be loosing". "I know. But just be in your senses and the moment you feel you have lost the control, leave immediately". "Common now, I can control my anger. It's not that I am angry always and everywhere". "I am not talking about that...just remember this and come soon". "Offcourse. Love you". "Love you. I will be waiting for you".
This was not always that she reacts this way. Today was definitely somethig different. He shook off his head again and concetrated on the road. Anyways there was nothing to worry as the meeting went successful and they had got what they wanted. And also, he didn't loose his cool even for a minute. The person said to him while leaving "All the best. It's going to be a long journey ahead!!!". Suddenly there was a major jerk in his car. It spinned for 2-3 times and was going to topple. He used all his skills and controlled the crash and landed near the roadside. He thanked god and got off the car. Both the rear tyres were bursted. He had only 1 spare tyre to change. Eyeing no other option, he started looking for help around. He was surprised to see a small hut at the next corner of the road. It was pitch dark and even a slight ray of light was visible from a distance. That road was straight up but he never saw any living footprints around. Strange enough but hoping of some help, he followed to the hut.
As he approached nearer, he saw and old bike standing outside. "If someone is at home, I could use the help to travel nearby to get the tyres repaired".. Jus then he saw a lady sitting outside alongside a bornfire. It was cold enough for someone staying in a hut and bornfires to keep warm were common there. As he approached her, she greeted him and asked him to sit beside. In the light he could see her face. She was almost of his mother's age with wrinkles on her face and her hair all whitened up!. As he was about to say something, she started the conversation. "Tyre burst is it?" "Yes, but how did you.." "Son I have been living here since very long. This highway is part of my life. I have seen many incidents around" "Sure. Is someone home who can help me to get some help nearby?" "I am the only one here. But I can help you out".
"Poor lady, he thought. How can she help me with the tyres?" "Give me a minute" she said and walked inside the hut. He was still thinking what could be done now just then, the lady arrived with a bowl of hot soup. "Here, have it. You must be hungry". He was starving but little embarassed to take the help. Lady insisted again and he took the bowl. To his surprise, it was his favourite sweet potato soup with salt and pepper in it! He tasted the first sip and was astonished. It tasted the same as his mother would cook for him. It was 2 years now since he had lost her. Tears rolled down his eyes as he kept drinking that. Lady said "Reminds of your mother right"". He couldn't react but just looked at her with wide eyes opened. "I am not your mother son. But my blessings are always with you and your family."
He finished up the soup and stood up to thank her and leave. There was no further plan on top of his mind, but he also couldn't just waste time sitting there. He thanked the lady and turned around. "Listen son", she called him. "All your problems are now sorted. Hurry up now, everyone would be waiting for you...". He was taking so much surprises by now, he was just following the mechanical reactions. He nodded to her and walked back to his car. Just as he was opening the door to pick up his jacket, he saw something different. His car was back on both the rear tyres fully inflated as if there was nothing happened! He went to track the tyre marks and to the spot few feet behind where the incident happend. He was searching with his torch but the road was clean! Unknowingly, he looked opposite the road and there was nothing. No sign of the hut or the light. No bornfire. No old bike. No lady. Suddenly he remembered "...just be in your senses and the moment you feel you have lost the control, leave immediately". He ran in the car, started the engine and opened full throttle. Nothing was in his mind except to reach home.
She heard his car's noise and ran to open the door. They hugged each other very tightly. The function was way over and it was half past one at the night. He was sweating badly and she was crying in his arms. She wanted to talk but he opened up first "Why did you say that to me today" "What are you talking about?" "Why did you say to be in my senses and the moment I think I have lost control, leave immediately". "Just some inside and sit down first. I will pour some water. Look at you..." "Just answer me" he shouted. "I don't know. It was spontaneous and I don't remember what I was thinking. But what happned now has left me surprised!". Surprise, he thought. That is not ending for him tonight for sure. "What happened" he asked. She said "After the function was over, everyone left and I went to put our daughter to bed. Just then the door bell ranged. I thought someone must had forgotten someone. I opened up and there was this old lady. About our mother's age. Wrinkled face and white hair." His heart started pounding. She continued "She had moved in the next house and wanted some help with drinking water. I invited her in and filled her bottles and handed over to her. She said that I seemed worried. I denied at first. But then she insisted and I don't know why but felt like sharing with her. I told her about your trip and that I am worried about you. "Don't worry" she said "there is always a guardian with him. He will back soon". I though it was something to console me. Then she handed over a hand knitted scarf to me. I was surprised as it was exactly like your mother had knitted in her last days. I looked at her and she said "I am not his mother. But my blessings are always with him and your family. This scarf is for your daughter. I heard it was her birthday today. I had nothing to give other than this". I thanked her for the gift and insisted to have some food. She denied saying they have just shifted and she needs to cook food at her home now. "
He had no words or expressions left. He was completely stoned. He sat on the floor in complete shock. She also sat down and hugged him again. He then narrated the whole incident. She was terrified on listning to this. "You know who's house is next door?". She nodded in denial. Then her eyes opened wide as she remembered. That house is been closed for 4 years now since they moved in to their house. She had totally forgotten this in the pressure of the moment. She ran to the window to confirm and there it was. Complete dark in the house with no sign of anyone.
Next day, he called the manager for further formalities of the deal. To his surprise, he came to know that the owner of the land which he was dealing was missing. On further investigation, he found out that the owner was already dead 2 years back in a road accident on the same road he was travelling on! Also the land was on someone elses name who had sent a legal notice of objection on this deal. So who did he meet with the manager that day? And why did he say "It's going to be a long journey ahead". Had the tyre incident not happened, he would have continued to drive and no one knows where he would have ended up. But then, who was the lady who was present at both the locations at the same time? Why did she wanted to help? Why her soup tasted like his mother? Why did she knit the same scarf as his mother? Unanswered....
