The dark lane! It was a night to remember.

 "I will finish this tomorrow, first thing in the morning, Sir!", I assured. But my boss wanted me to complete the reports right there. "But Sir, it's already late and....". He cut me in between and said, "Yes! Exactly it's already too late". He was reluctant to budge on his words and left.

I sat down at my desk. I looked at my watch, "It's 9.45 p.m. If I get a 10.30 local train, I will reach by 11.45, then approximately by 12.10 a.m. I should reach home". I calculated in my head, side by side, completing my task. I was a bit skeptical about reaching home late.

"And here you go", I submitted the reports, closed the window, shut the desktop. Hurriedly packed my things, took my bag and left.

"Kya Madam, aaj itna late? 10.25 ho gaye!", the security guard said. I checked my watch, it was showing 10.00 p.m. "Kya? 10.25?", I reconfirmed. My time had stopped.....I mean my watch had stopped...working!

"Oh!God, I missed my 10.30 local". I ran to get a cab. Usually, I walk to the station, as I can't afford a cab everyday.  But today I couldn't afford to waste time. I was already late. It took me 15 minutes to reach the station (I asked the driver what time it was, remember my watch had stopped working?). Next local was at 10.50 p.m.

I got into the train. On a normal evening, I would've struggled to get in, would hardly have a place to stand. But today, as though, all the empty seats were inviting me Welcome Mam!. There were just 5 ladies in the compartment. But I still preferred standing, near the door. Wanted to feel some cool breeze and relax and actual reason was, I was so tired that would've slept through!

All of a sudden, the train halted. And my heart felt a brake too! "What's wrong with today?....I mean tonight?", I thought. After sometime, train started moving again and the breeze helped me relax.

Train reached my station, I got down. It was 12.15 a.m. in the station's clock. The usual chaos, loud decibels, everything was hushed by this midnight hour.  I quickly left the station.

My home is a 25 minutes walk from the station. I decided to walk, because there was no Auto, at this hour.

The main road from the station is well lit. But when I take the right turn, into the lane, that goes to my home, the street lights are always off. It becomes pitch dark. That particular lane is scarcely populated, also a bit neglected. I held on to my bag tightly and doubled my pace. I consoled myself that it's just 20 minutes more. I lifted up my head and saw a group of 4 men at the corner, sitting under a tree. They were smoking, I guess. I felt numb in my legs. "Don't stop, keep walking", I was saying to myself.

I literally started chanting Hanuman Chalisa! "Bhoot Pishachh nikat nahi aave, Mahabir jab naam sunave, Naase rog, hare sab pira, Jo sumire Hanumat balbira....." I couldn't raise my head in fear. I clutched the sides of my kurta with my fists. Suddenly, out of nowhere,  a huge black stray dog jumped in front of me. I shouted at the loudest I could.

Those 4 men came running towards me. They shooed away the dog and asked, "Didi aapko kutte ne kata to nahi na?". I looked at them, wiping my sweat with my dupatta, "Aa...aa! Nahi..nahi...", I replied hesitantly. "Arey ja re chotu, didi ko aage tak drop karke aa", one of them said.

I didn't know how to react. With somewhat relieved expressions, I said, "Thankyou bhaiya!". 

I started walking and in my head completed the remaining Hanuman Chalisa, "Sankat te Hanuman choodave, Man kram bachan dhyaan jo laavei..." (and thanked my mom 1000 times for teaching me to chant it!).

Things aren't always as they seem! - Unknown.

   

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