The Road That Never ends

Disclaimer

      The characters and events in the story are purely fictious.Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidential.  

The Road That Never Ends

        “If I was alive after that moment,I wouldn’t come there alone again…………………..”

         

          I was eight.We used to live in a small village.My dad was a worker in a factory.His was a night duty.It started at 6 in the evening. Every night at 8, mom and I used to go to him to give him  dinner.It was a 5 mile to and fro walk.I used to enjoy it a lot as she used to tell me many stories while walking.The path was not totally dark but it was almost empty.

           That day, mom was  ill.She prepared food and got ready to go.I told her I would go alone that night as she needed some rest.She refused but after a little conversation she accepted.I was really happy that I was of some help to my mom.But I didn’t expect at the moment that I was going to experience the scariest situation in my life.

            We came out of the house .She looked at the path.It was straight,long and somewhere at the end of it was the flood light of the factory.I told her,”I will come back in an hour mom.Don’t worry.Take rest”.She kissed on my forehead .I smiled and started my journey.

           Though I was proud that I can be of some practical help to my parents, I was a little afraid too.While going to the factory, there was absolutely no problem. There were people here and there.The streetlights seemed to be happy for helping my effort by showing me the way.There were dark patches along the road between consecutive lights.I was a little afraid when going into the dark, but was confident enough that I would reach the next light soon.I reached the factory in half an hour.

           My father saw me and was astonished.I could see relief and happiness in his face.He knew mom was ill and thought she would come inspite of it.He didn’t expect me.Thats what I wanted.I wanted to see unexpected  joy in my parents.Its worth doing anything.He said,” My son, I am very glad to see you here.How is mom now?”

           “Dad, she’s  totally fine.Just a little cold and fever ....I told her not to come.She is taking rest at home.By the time you come home, she will be totally alright.”

           “You did the right thing, son. Here , go and buy some chocolates with this.”He gave me two coins, one was 20 paise and the other 10 paise.I was extremely happy , not because of the money but his happiness.I secured the two coins in my pocket,bade goodbye and started back.

            For some time, I walked peacefully thinking of the incidents that happened.My heart was filled with pride.Suddenly, I heard a large bang from somewhere inside the trees from my leftside.I was shocked.I got no clue what was it.I was frightened but still kept walking.The path was totally empty.I increased my speed.Then for the first time in my life, I heard that sound, clearly , breaking the silence.It was like the sound of friction of small child’s footwear on ground.I turned back.There wasn’t anybody.I was little frightened.I knew I was almost midway through.For a moment I thought of going back to my father but I decided to head home.I started walking fast.This time I was clearly hearing that noise and it was very close.I was terrified.It seemed like someone was just behind me and wanted to get hold of me.I saw back…NO ONE.I saw on the sides.The streetlights were looking sad and were like saying sorry.I felt the darkness on the path between the streetlights  increasing.I looked back..NO ONE. But I could hear it….closely,clearly…..like a small CREECH…..Oh God, I wanted to be home.I was running.I could hear my own heartbeat but more than that …that sound.It was ringing in my ears.I felt a little pain first in my stomach and then in my heart.I couldn’t stop.If I stop……..I couldn’t imagine what would happen to me.I was running.I saw into the trees at sides.They were all like men with many hands and fierce faces….they wanted to catch me by waving hands.I unconsciously stopped looking to my right.I was shocked that somebody was there behind the trees.I could see the shaded figure.I recognised that figure as a small girl.I heard a few days back, a girl drowned in the river.I was terrified.I cried loudly,”HELP….HELP”.She was laughing.She was coming to me.It was just that she was in darkness but there was just a few feet distance between us.It was as if, she was about to come out of the trees and pull me into them.My ears were blocked due to heavy running.My heartbeat was atleast a 10 time faster.But I WANTED TO LIVE.I started running again.This time, even SHE was coming faster.I could hear faster sounds.I could hear laughs and cries from among the trees.I thought I was dead.I didn’t look back.I was running for life.I fell once or twice,but didn’t stop.SHE was coming behind me.She was crying for sometime, laughing for sometime.But I could hear the constant footsteps. I could see some shadows coming out of the trees. I begged GOD for life.I was totally helpless.I was like a man with just one choice to live…..TO RUN.I could hear the sounds,voices and ,mainly the footsteps.

           At last, I could see a little light at a distance.Thats my home.I will be back home if I manage a little distance.I got confidence.I started running faster.I  almost won.It was just 10 feet distance from my home.A stone hit my leg.I FELL.I saw back and thought I was OVER.I couldn’t breath easily.I cried loudly,”Mom…..mom…Come out….Please…..”.I didn’t expect that but mom came out just after my first cry.I was astonished.She was having high fever and couldn’t even walk.But she came out. I thought,” WOW.Thanks mom..”I saw back.SHE was gone.I thought,”Mom,You are the greatest of all mothers. I  live just because of you.”

         I was still gasping for breath.Mom was asking. I just put my small hands around her, closed my eyes and held her tightly as if nothing can take me away from her and even if it can,my mom would take care of it and I don’t need to bother.I was not able to speak anything.She made me sit down , waited for me to calm down.

        I was sitting in her lap and told her everything that happened.She heard quietly.She said, “Son, there is nothing as such as that small girl.You just imagined that.What did you hear  first?”

     “A large bang.”

     “It was because of the some ripen fruits falling from trees.It is the season for that.”

     “But I heard foot step sounds on the ground.It became faster as I ran faster.”

       She thought for a while and asked,”Where are the coins that papa gave?”.I showed my pocket and took them out .She said,”It was these coins that made that sound.”

       I rubbed those coins.Yes..It was the same noise.She smiled and I too joined.I felt like being happy after a hundred years.She kissed me and said,”Whenever you feel afraid this time,just remember me.I will be watching your back.Nothing can do anything to you until I am there.”

         I nodded and thought,”Oh God,I never understood when my mom told that.But its true. The problems lie in us and even the solutions.And Yes mom, I believe strongly that you will be there supporting me wherever I go ”