THE UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER...!!

"Malad aala bara ka!" the lady beside me informed as the bus came to a halt. Malad is here. The bus conductor too announced the stop. The destination of my journey had arrived. I got up from my seat hanging my sack over my shoulder. I smiled at the lady waving her good bye. She waved back and her smile radiated the same warmth with which she had made me feel comfortable throughout those three hours and forty-five minutes of the journey.

Along with some other passengers, I moved towards the door. The door of the A/C bus was opened. I took a deep breath as I stepped down, the saline air filled my lungs. I walked to the road-side and turned to see the bus go off. I took out the napkin from my sack to wipe my face clean. I drank some water ("Punyacha Pani") from my bottle and how contented I felt! I wanted to drink more but I thought to save some for the rest of the day (aadat se majhboor!). I looked around for Ninad Dada, my cousin, who was to come pick me up. I checked my watch. 7:15 pm. He had said he would be there by 7:00. I had no patience to wait there. I called him up. He apologized for the delay and said that it would take him another half an hour.

Half an hour!! I knew this time would pass lazily. Initially I decided to wait there itself. But the first minute seemed so long as if I could have finished reading "Digital Fortress" all over again by the end of it, or even better, I would have reached back to Pune by then! I am not a phone addict and neither do I use internet on phone. I had no idea how I would spend the next 29 minutes standing there, jobless.

Finally, I decided to wander around till Ninad Dada came. Having got the luggage just enough for a short two-day trip, how heavy could my sack be! Just two sets of clothes, a towel, a napkin, my tooth brush, my comb, a pair of socks, my mobile charger, my pouch containing some cash, my debit card, driving license... that's all! And yes, not to forget my water bottle!! Err, I forgot to mention the diary and pen I usually carry along during any trip. Okay, so as all this was not too heavy, I decided to walk around the place. I am used to go on long walks and treks with a good twenty - twenty five kilogram weight on my shoulders. So this was not a problem. I was sure that my dear shoes, my trusted companions through all my treks and sports, would be a great company now as well!

I began walking along the road. I looked around as I walked through the humid environment. A lot of hustle and bustle going around, which was probably normal at that peak hour.

This wasn't the first time I was in Mumbai. I had visited Mumbai once, twelve years back, when I was in fourth standard. Our school had organised a one-day trip to Mumbai. We had travelled to Mumbai by train and had returned by flight! That was my first ever flight, by the way! But I hardly remember anything of the trip except that we had seen the Gateway Of India, we had visited some museum and I clearly remember that we all had to wipe our wet faces from time to time!! So this, right now, was as good as my first visit to Mumbai.

I had only heard about the "fast-life" in Mumbai, about the crowd... but now I was witnessing it as I walked along. I felt like a small droplet in this huge sea of People. "You need to get used to all this, Neha," I told myself, "You will be coming here for your job in a few months!"
I soon noticed that the road I was walking along was the "Link Road". I thought I had walked quite a distance. I stopped to check my watch. Just over 7:25. I still had got plenty of time - about 20 whole minutes!! I looked around and saw this lofty complex - Inorbit Mall. What better place could I find to pass my time! Without another thought, I entered the building. I noticed "Cafe Coffee Day (CCD)" on the ground floor. This made me realise that I was feeling too hot and needed some refreshment. What could be better than a cold coffee!

I pushed open the door and walked in. This was only the second time I was at any CCD. I went to the counter, placed my order and made the payment. I got my drink and looked around for an unoccupied table. There were two. I went to the one in the corner and sat down, placing the cold coffee over the table. I took out my phone from my pocket just to check if there was any message or phone call that I had missed. I knew I hadn't, but it is always better to be double sure, especially when the place and the people around you aren't familiar. Well, there wasn't any message nor missed call. I kept my phone back and sipped on my coffee. I was enjoying examining the people around. On the table next to mine was seated a young couple. They were quarrelling for some reason. I couldn't hear the arguments as they were speaking in very low voices. But their expressions were entertaining. Soon their issue was probably settled and they got up to leave.

Just then a weird guy, about 35, entered the Cafe. I don't know what it was, but there was something about him that couldn't stop me from noticing him. I very well remember that he had hurried, probably came running, to the CCD entrance. But the moment he entered inside, he walked as if strolling in a park. I couldn't understand this drastic change. He was about five feet seven-eight inches tall and a hefty man. He wore a T-shirt with red and black horizontal stripes. His jeans, though brown in colour, clearly indicated that it wasn't washed since many days. His face seemed dull but his red eyes had a evil glint. He was half bald and the grayish black stubble veiled most of his expressions. He probably noticed me observing him. He smiled at me revealing his golden tooth among those brown teeth. Confused, I just looked away as if I didn't see him at all. As I looked down, I could see those brown legs walking towards me. Now I was a bit scared. I looked up to see him come closer. I wasn't understanding what exactly was happening. Was I imagining things? Or was it all really happening? I tried to calm myself down, it wasn't easy. And things worsened when he waved at me with the same dirty smile. My heart was pounding and I could hear my heart beats clear in my ears. And then I realised that he might be waving to someone behind me. With great relief, I turned to look who the guy waved at. But to my astonishment, there was absolutely no one behind be, neither any table nor any staff. There was a lump in my throat. I just tried to ignore and looked in front. Oh My God!! He was actually sitting across me!! I missed a beat. My body became numb. The shining golden tooth brought me back to senses. I was about to open my mouth to shout, but... "Shhh...!!! Chup chaap yahan baithi raho samjhi... Warna achha nahi hoga!" He said in a low but coarse, heavy voice. "Apni coffee piyo!!" I just looked at him in bewilderment, my eyes watered. "Kaha na apni coffee piyo!" he said strongly. "Daro mut.." He leaned forward and whispered, "Main tumhein kuuuchh nahi karunga!" And he winked. He made sure that no one suspected him. I shivered, my hands trembling as I held my glass of coffee. I closed my eyes tight as I took a sip of my coffee, thinking with a calm mind what my next step should be. I made up my mind that whatever happens, I am just going to get hold of my sack and run as fast as I can. I opened my eyes, he was still staring at me. His heavy eyelids and red eyes could not hide the fact that he was an alcohol addict for sure, or a drug addict may be, who knew! He kept looking at the entrance door frequently. And before I could make my move, he suddenly got up and went towards the washroom. Why did he do that? I was totally confused...

Just then another guy, aged 24-25, entered in a hurry as if he was desperately looking for someone. He looked sophisticated in a sky-blue shirt and a dark gray trouser, but the way he came in, he surely didn't seem a good guy. With height about 5'10", he was dark and lean. He hurried to the counter and asked something to the staff members. One of them pointed at me. I stood up in scare as the guy walked towards me. "Baitho neeche!" He ordered. I had to obey. I clutched my sack, which was on the table, tight, as he sat across me. He had a gun!! I stared at the gun in horror. "Tumhein toh peheli baar dekh raha hoon... Gagan ko kaise jaanti ho?" I was shocked at this question. "M..m..main kisi Gagan ko nahi jaanti...!!" I was scared. He laid his captivating fierce eyes upon me. "Nahi jaanti, achha? Toh woh yahan tumhaare saath kya kar raha tha, aain?" he said sharply. Now I realised Gagan was that weird guy. I was almost crying. I took out the napkin from my sack to wipe my wet eyes. I composed myself and said, "Listen, I didn't know that guy! Woh khud aaya aur yahan baith gaya!" I pointed to the chair in which the gun-guy was sitting. "Neha naam hai na tumhaara? Abhi abhi Pune se aayi ho... kyun?" I was shell-shocked! How the hell did he know that?!! I got up holding my sack close to my chest. "T...t..tumhein kaise pata yeh sab? K..kaun ho tum?" asked I breathlessly. "Lagta nahi ki tum Gagan ki gang ke baare mein kuchh jaanti ho..." He observed. Gang?? Oh no! Where was I trapped? And why me? Couldn't that Gagan find anyone else? I just noded in "no". The lean guy got up. Leaning forward, he asked sharply, "Yeh Gagan yahan se kahan gaya?" "Wahan..." I said in a low voice pointing towards the washroom. "Arey, toh pehele kyun nahi bataya?" he shouted. You never asked before! I looked on as he almost ran towards the washroom. This was it! This was my chance to run out of CCD, and I didn't miss it.

As I came out, I saw many police men rushing into the cafe. I was pretty sure they were behind those two guys I had encountered. For a moment, I thought of approaching the police... But then I discarded the thought. Who wanted to get into a fix! I just ran away from the cafe without knowing where I was headed to... Some people stared at me as I was running. I didn't approach anyone for help... 'cause now I could not trust anyone. I stopped running after a while to realise that I was at the parking lot of the mall. This place, though less crowded, felt far more safe at the moment than the cafe. I was panting. There were people coming and going at the parking area. I heard two ladies, walking past me, say that they should get out of this mall right away as police were there behind some bad guys. I knew exactly whom the police were searching for. I didn't know what to do. Ninad Dada!! He must be waiting for me. I took out my phone to call him. There were four missed calls, all by Ninad Dada. I dialled his number. Before I could hear the ring, I heard many footsteps fast approaching towards the area where I was. My phone slipped from my hand. I hid behind a pillar in the parking area as I watched Gagan hasten through the area, frequently looking backward. How did he manage to escape from the Cafe?! I could see some police men, at a distance, chasing Gagan. I didn't want Gagan to slip away from the Police this time. He was running in my direction. I gathered all my courage, and without another thought I put my leg across him and toppled him down. He looked up at me as I slowly moved back step by step. His face red in anger. I just wondered why the police hadn't arrived yet. He got up and began walking towards me. He suddenly took out a knife from nowhere. I was horrified and moved backward, as quick as possible. Moving back, I struck the wall. I could see an enraged Gagan coming after me, there was a wall to my right and a dead end behind me. Now there was only one way left. I began running, as fast as I could, towards my left. I was crying out for help. It was not like there was no one, there were people around. But alas, no one came forward to help. I was out of breath, tired. I saw some one running towards me. I was pleased to see that at least some one cared to help me. But was he really coming to help me? As he came closer I realised that he was the dark, lean guy rapidly approaching with his gun in hand, followed by police. I was trapped! I wasn't sure whether the police would be able to catch those guys before the guys reached me. Both of them were running in hard. I just gave out a loud cry as I tightly closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. I heard some gun-shots, many cries... But I was too scared to open my eyes and see what was going on around. I didn't want to know anything at all. I had lost all my senses. Was I dead?

I heard someone call out to me, "Ma'am?" I opened my eyes to see many police men around me. I was glad that I was still alive and absolutely alright. A lady constable was standing beside me with a bottle of water. I gulped down the water as if I hadn't drank any for days. I still hadn't overcome the shock. "Gagan...?" I asked looking around. They informed me that Gagan was arrested and thanked me for the help. They told me that I had to go with them to the police station for they had to record my statement. They didn't even allow me to meet Ninad Dada. I searched for my phone and called Ninad Dada. I assured him that I was absolutely alright and told him to come to the police station. I was taken to the police station by the Police jeep. On our way I enquired whether the other guy was arrested too. I could still see those fierce eyes fixed upon me. But they seemed very confused. Other guy? They said they had no idea about any such guy. I was perplexed on knowing this. They don't know him?

We reached the police station. I was seated on a chair and they asked me many questions. My replies were recorded on a tape as well as noted down by the constables. They noted down my details. I had to sign on some papers and legal documents.
"Saare details achhe se liye na?"
I looked up to see who it was. I was shocked! I got up from my chair and cried, "Hach tar ahe to...!!!" Yehi toh hai woh! It was the same lean guy standing before me.
"Madam, tumcha kahi tari gair-samaz hotoy...!" Yeh aap ki koi galat fehmi hai!
"Yeh sab kya ho raha hai, aain?" asked the guy.
The police men explained everything and told him that I had misunderstood him. I was totally confused, a bit scared too.
"Toh main tumhein gunda lagta hoon, aain?" he asked sharply.
I just nodded my head in a "no" hesitating a bit. He noticed that I was very nervous.
"Itna darne ki zaroorat nahi hai..." said he. I remained silent.
"Senior Inspector Abhijeet, CID - Mumbai...!" he introduced himself putting forth his hand for a handshake.
I was stunned. I blankly shook hands with him, trying to digest what I had come to know a moment ago.

Ninad Dada rushed in. "Neha! Tu theek tar ahes na? Kay ahe he sagla?" he asked impatiently. Tum theek toh ho na? Kya hai yeh sab? We all explained him what had happened. Then it was time to leave. Everyone thanked me and admired my small but brave effort to get Gagan caught. As Ninad Dada and I were about to leave, Insp. Abhijeet called out my name. I turned. He walked towards me and held out a white paper. I took that paper and looked closely to know that it was my bus ticket!
"Tum ne jab CCD mein apna napkin nikaala tha, tabhi yeh ticket tumhaari bag se gir gaya tha table par..." he explained.
Now I understood how he knew about me. It was because of the ticket!! I just smiled admiring his minute observation. He smiled in return as if saying "thank you".

The adventure was finally over. I was on my way to my Uncle's home. As Ninad Dada drove the car, I sat on the passenger seat closing my eyes recalling all the events that had occurred after my arrival in Mumbai. I could still see those fierce eyes staring at me. The only difference was that I didn't fear them any more...!!