The Ride

Nick was standing outside the train station with no money to take him further. 

He had spent the last of his money on the train ticket to reach Vijaywada. He did not know how he would proceed ahead. 

He had a satchel with some weed in it and a journal and a map of India which he had been using to plan a nationwide tour of indie bands which never happened. 

He searched his pockets and found a few coins with which he purchased some peanuts. That was breakfast. He pondered his next move. 

He walked to the highway and took out the map from his bag and was trying to see where he could go next. He stuck his thumb out and waited for a truck to pick him up. 

A truck slowed down and picked him up. It was being driven by a Sikh and Nick said thanks to him and sat down next to the the door. 

He searched for cigarettes but could not find any. The cleaner who was sitting next to him offered him a beedi which he took very gratefully. No conversation was made. 

This was not the first time that the Sikh had given a ride to a hitch hiker. He knew that people had various reasons to be on the road and thought that Nick must have his.

The ride was uneventful and peaceful. They passed villages and small towns which all looked the same. They passed road side temples painted orange and they saw villagers travelling on the highway on their mopeds and bicycles and bikes. Many beedis were bummed from the cleaner over the next few hours and it was getting to lunchtime. 

The Sikh turned into a clearing where there was a roadside dhabha. They all got off and went towards the washroom and cleaned up. The Sikh and the cleaner took a table and Nick wandered around wondering how he was going to buy a meal. 

The Sikh signalled to Nick and invited him to sit with them at his table. He ordered food and Nick bummed a beedi from the cleaner. 

The meal came and it was the most delicious meal that Nick had had in his life. They finished and the Sikh payed for it and Nick thanked him for it. 

They got out of the dhabha and the Sikh excused himself for a moment. Nick went and washed his hands. He came back to the truck and got in. The Sikh and the cleaner were already in the truck. The Sikh gave Nick a packet of cigarettes and Nick was amazed at the Sikh’s thoughtfulness. He took the packet and thanked him warmly. 

They got on to the highway and travelled for six hours till the Sikh said “This is as far as I am going. You will get another ride here.” 

Everything was to the point and everything was clear. There was no transaction of any kind and yet there was more humanity there than he had ever experienced. 

Nick got off the truck by the side of the highway and stuck his thumb out waiting for his next ride.

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