Hit-Wicket on V -Day :-P

River Swarnrekha, during Monsoon.

So, I am continuing from where I have left it yesterday, as some event prompted me to write it again.  If you haven’t read, and willing to do so, you can check it out @ भोर की खोज..

Today also I woke up early. It was dark outside. But a hope was there that sun will emerge soon out of this darkness. I prepared myself for the morning walk. At 05:00 hrs I left home. Outside, season was tantalizing as usual in Feb. Cold breeze was blowing. Aroma of mango flowers (we call it  Manjari in Hindi), conspicuous in this month, were enchanting.

I plugged  in my ear phones and played the same Song (Bhajan) which I have mentioned in my last blog भोर की खोज... The volume was at maximum. Contemplating on each words of the song and appreciating the classical music of India and the way Pt. Bhim Sen Joshi has sung, I was marching towards the river.

It was still dark yet the street lights were glowing. Some other people were also strolling on the street. I was completely observed in the song then suddenly someone hold my hand. I experienced how fast our mind could be. Before I could turn back, numerous bizarre thought came. Who it could be?

A ghost!!!!  Oh it’s Valentine Day, how can I forget the atmosphere which has been created since past week for 14^th February, especially on WP. Someone hold my hand in the very morning. Thought, Saint Valentine must be very kind on me.

But when I turned around, all my imaginations were shattered in seconds :P. I saw an old man in his 50s. His face was frightened. I asked “चचा !! क्या हुआ ??” (Uncle! What happened?) He was telling something, but since the music was playing at maximum volume, I couldn’t hear him. I plugged out my ear phone. Then heard asynchronous and horrific sound of woof.. woof.. woof.. Nearly 5-6 stray dogs were behind him. He said, “साले ! कुत्ते  पीछे   हैं ” (Dogs are behind me). I said “वो  तो  देख  रहा  हूँ , आप घबराओ मत, मेरे पीछे आ जाओ ” (That I am seeing, don’t panic just stay behind me). Then I stayed calm and scarred the dog by pretending to throw pebbles at them, when there was no stones around. Somehow dogs got scarred and ran away.

I smiled at uncle and ask jokingly, “क्या  चचा!!!  वैलेंटाइन  डे  के  दिन  आज  मैं  ही  मिला  था  सुबह  सुबह  हाथ  पकड़ने  को 🙂“(Uncle! on this valentine day you only found me to hold hand ) . As it turned out, uncle was more humorous, he replied  “बेटा , खैर  मनाओ  बजरंग  दल  से  हूँ मैं , जान  नहीं  बचायी  होती  तो  वैलेंटाइन  डे  के दिन, दिन भर तुम्हारे पीछे अपने आदमियों को छोड़ता ” (Son! you are lucky, I am from Bajrang Dal, if you haven’t saved my life today, then for taking the name of Valentine, I would have sent my men to have a watch on you for the entire day). I said jokingly, “ये पराक्रम कुत्तो  पर  क्यों  नहीं  दिखाया” (Why don’t you displayed your valor to the dogs). He replied more wittingly, “कुत्ते  थोड़े  ही न  वैलेंटाइन  डे  मानते  हैं ” (Dogs never celebrate Valentine Day).

I burst in to laughter, he followed me too. I said “Namste”  to him and marched forward towards the river. He replied “Thank You“. On reaching there, I removed  my shoes off and dipped my feet in to the water. Water was colder than the wind. Someone has just rang the temple bell. Birds were taking flights towards their destination. I was smiling……