Long long way from home...

It all started with a reminiscent thought from yesterday's bike trip. I had free day, bike's petrol tank full, and a damn good climate.. Well, i would have been a dumb not to go out under these conditions.



So, there i was, on the road, at 1:30 in afternoon.. Sun glaring above, still just a hint of coldness in air.. I decided to just hit the road, and let it take me wherever it wants. And it really did turn out good- A divine road for bikers -Old n gold NH4..



Along the way, there are lots of small roads which in turn join to the highway, or branch off from it. One of such branch had a certain inexplicable pull.. I have never been to that road before, but had seen it while travelling along the way earlier. When i reached the end of the road, it turned out to be the way leading to big idol of Ganesh.



Liking the surprise, i went on ahead to the idol. It was breathtaking! Even more beautiful was the view from way up there.. Literally saw rains travelling from one place to another..





Right in front of me, there was a small road travelling in between two hills. When i had reached the top of the hill of the Ganesh idol, the road was completely dry. One of the Hill, guarding the road was completely shadowed by a black cloud though.. As the cloud advanced, the wet patch on the road started to advance, and slowly it reached the place i had been just a moments ago.. The decision to take this road in a whim, had paid off at least a little..



After the cloud passed, i carried on with the road i had taken off from. Looking at that long stretch of the road, first thing that hit my mind was once i get on with this road, there wasnt turning back.. Simply because there was no U-turn till next 1-2km (thats a li'l guess, because as far as my eyes could see; i didnt see any). I thought, what the hell, its a road so there is gotta be an U-turn somewhere maybe even after long 5km.. I wasnt going to let the road win, just yet..



I was right in both the guesses, there wasnt any u-turn for about 2-3 km, but after that there were many. And after some distance, even the divider itself disappeared altogether. When i was just getting comfortable with the situation, situation itself changed. Now it started drizzling.. These small rain drops hit the skin so fast, it feels like someone is pricking everywhere with many small needles.. In the mind, i just thanked God that the rain drops were small.. Otherwise it would have felt as if someone just started automatic bowling machine with aim right at me.. And by mistake has put marbles instead of the balls......

After first few minutes of enduring the pricking, almost whole parts exposed to the pricking went numb. So it wasnt hurting.. Well, there was no sensation would be better phrase..



At a point, it felt as if suddenly someone up there realised that the taps were open, and closed all at once. There was an invisible line, after which there was absolutely no rain. Not even a single sq inch of wet asphalt.. It felt good for some time.. Dry air.. No more numbness..

Wait a sec, with the numbness slowly retreating, and my sensations coming back up all over, there was a remarkable tingling sensation.. That moment, even the numbness felt good..



Finally the tingling also got over. The road kept on mocking me, I continued to take on the challenge. Divider was back, but there were plenty of the chances to turn back. Slowly i lost the count of how many U-turns i avoided. 2-3 occasions some bike/car whooshed past me, and i had to remind myself that i m not in a race; to restrict my impulse to jump the speed and overtake that vehicle back.. The good guy up there, had taken leave once again. Rain had started. This time it didnt seem it would have liked to let me so soon. I stopped in shade, and looked out. The rain had now started pouring down at about 100m of my current position. I thought better not to take on this one. Turning the bike by 180, i started the long way back to home..



It hadnt occurred to me about how long way from home i had been until i started the way back. Actually thats when i checked my trip meter, and realised i was a good 75km from home.. It was time to head back..



The journey on the way back wasnt much different from the forward journey.. Except for the part when i stopped for a quick break of tea and pakoda.. In the drizzling shower, standing below a shade, having a nice steaming tea.. Yeah, thats what made the journey whole..





The rain and mud had played their role; bet it would take about an hour to get rid of it all. But, that was part of the deal; and the result of it, was unforgettable.. There was absolutely no room (actually no strength) for complaints. I promised my both the partners in crime- bike and road, that the combo package will be returned soon, and put a fullstop to the lovely journey. Only hoping that it would extend into a tiny line.............