Via God's Route

21 Sep 1996

Once me, my mother, two family friends (Unni and Shashi) and driver were going to Guwahati (Assam) from Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) in a car. Its generally 6-7 Hours route that we from Arunachal have to take to catch any trains or flights to go anywhere; in our case to kerala. The driver was driving in high speed of 100-110 KMPH. After around 3 hours of journey it started drizzling. The car was old with its tyre totally plain, because of this and the rain our car skidded and took 3 whirlpool rotations and fell upside down into a paddy field; barely missing a hit to a Pipal tree. Paddy fields are always kept well irrigated thus the fall had a lesser impact on us sitting inside. We all were safe, but the whole thing was so shocking to me that i was in a kind of trance and felt as if I was dead and all i could smell was petrol and the muddy water. then I started slowly hearing my mother calling me- first a whisper, then louder and louder. But i wasn't able to move, that's when somebody shook me and brought me out of the car. A very dark hand of some stranger.

Actually we had crashed near a small village of sorts where there were maximum 8-10 cottages made from bamboo, coconut leaves and mud walls. Those guys came running selflessly and took us and our things also out of the car safely. We hadn't recovered still from the shock. There was an elderly person who looked like the head of the group of people and enquired about our well being and if we had any injuries. Then that guy started telling that this a regular accident prone area. Asked us to clean up and change the clothes. We took bath in the near lake and got dressed. Shashi had come with no baggage and didn't have any clothes replacement for his dirty pants. And with him being in the bulkier side we couldn't lend him our dress. The head of the village said "wait a sec i think i have a pant just for you." And he brought a white pant and gave to Shashi which was perfect fit for him. They brought a red tea for all of us. It was so tasty that 10 years later and the taste is still fresh in my mouth now. Just that time some guys well dressed and our neighbours in Itanagar came inside the village. They had come after seeing the car that was upside down in the road side. It was a surprise to us and no surprise to them that the car met with accident.They saw it speeding and overtaking dangerously all the way from behind. So this guys were ready to give us lift to Guwahati. we were ready to go when my mother took some money and gave to the head but he didn't accept after much insistence also. Not even for the pant. And my mother started crying and fell on his legs thanking for all that they did. It was a surprise again for me that these guys were so poor and their houses were so shabby, but still nobody accepted money. While leaving we asked what the name of the place. Its Rangaghar. We promised to come back someday soon.

After this incidents we have passed this same route so many times, but we still haven't been able to find the place yet. This village itself doesn't seem to exist where we met with accident anymore. So who were these guys; just there when we needed their presence, never to be seen again? Well Gods to us and nothing less. How can we deny existence of God in our lives? I cant.

So when do you know its love?

I saw Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na few weeks back.... Nice movie... The main theme of the movie is - Friends for a long time, don't know that they are in love and the dilemma in the same. I am sure quite a few of you must have related to the theme.. At least the young generation who live in a world were girls and guys study, work, live, travel, party together. And the whole time calling it "Just Frens!!".


'Just Frens' makes it easy for each of them to do anything they would have done with their lovers, minus the Possessiveness baggage.. Isn't it?


But tell me this Can you take it well that your fren is cuddling with someone else OR Do you start missing her already just after you guys met few hours back... Can it be branded 'just Friendship'... I don't think so.. So isn't it time that you understand that - this is love... Suggestion is to go ahead and declare your love.... Maybe you will end up getting a "I Never Thought Like That!" line/glare from your gal or a Slap at the most. But believe me its worth it... If you were sure that she shared a similar bond with you just as you did with her, she would stop to think about it once-at least. She would try to analyze past times spent together, for sure. And if your luck is not really screwed up - you may find LOVE in Your Best friend. What can be better than Finding love in friendship or Friendship in love. And guess what if you are really great friends then you can convey your feelings without having to jeopardize your friendship.

So all you there - question yourself "Are we just Friends?"