In these days when public transport is not dependable, many boys and young men have two-wheelers which render communication quick and easy. I am one such young man. I have been using a Hero Honda for the last eight years. It was the 23rd of November. My cousin, who had spent the Diwali vacation with me, was going back to his native place. His train was leaving C.S.T. station at 10.15 p.m. As he had only one suit case, it was possible for me to take him on my bicycle, riding the pillion. The train left about 10 minutes late, I saw him on my off after a few last-minute intimate exchanges. I was enjoying the cool breeze and the silent night.

It was such a pleasant drive and must have been tempted top speed along. I am sure I was in oblivion. My pleasant mood did not last long. Ugh! My bike hit against something with a severe shock and I was thrown off! To add to my bad fate, the bike fell on my ankle. Ouch! It was real agony! I knew for certain that my ankle had been fractured. It was a nasty feeling! My ankle was under, the bike and I could not budge. All I could do was to look around for some good soul. The road was clear, not a vehicle, not a soul! The pain in my ankle was excruciating! In an instant my luck changed. There was a young man in front of me. I thought God must have dropped him from heaven to give me timely relief. Mechanically, he lifted the bike and released my leg, but my agony was no less. He looked up to the first floor balcony of a nearby building and called out, ‘Vinod! Come down with a glass of water’. The water saved me from fainting. Prashnat gave Vinod a few quick instructions.

Vinod took charged of my bike and parked it somewhere, and joined his brother Prashnat and me. The two brothers managed to put me in a taxi and take me to the Nair Hospital. They managed to get through the tedious formalities of a Hospital when a new patient has to be admitted. Medical first aid began. Two doctors worked and managed to give me some relief temporarily. The tables made me somewhat comfortable and drowsy. However, I had to wait patiently for the orthopedic surgeons to take up my case. Prashant and Vinod were none other than messengers of God. They informed my parents in Chembur. M parents arrived at about 5 o’clock when the surgeons arrived. Whenever I reflected on that harrowing experience and my sad plight, I involuntarily utter a prayer of gratitude to God who sent Prashant and Vinod to save me. He helped me through my stay in the hospital and ever after. I was discharged with a plastered leg. With the passage of time, all troubles melted away. The valuable outcome of that nasty accident was that I won a good friend.