The train reeled slowly onto the platform as the clock showed 2300 hours.
Making their way towards the stairs leading to the footover bridge, Amaan and Seema meandered between passengers and coolies skillfully guiding their strollies, one of which rubbed against someone "Watch it" he said annoyingly. "Sorry" said Amaan before moving on hurriedly.
It was a very cold night of December 2001.
"I am shivering" said Seema as the young couple looked at each other and smiled.
No sooner had the passengers started to descend towards the exit gates, auto and taxi drivers mobbed them,
"Auto? Taxi Sir?"
"Where would you like to go? Some hotel?"
"No, Mall Road, how much?" Asked Amaan.
After a lot of frenzied scrambling and bidding that followed, he zeroed in on one guy, the lowest bidder ofcourse who quickly grabbed their bags, "Come with me, I have a van, its better than an auto in such cold weather" he said walking fast. Having covered some distance Amaan asked the guy where his vehicle was.
"Sir, wait here, I will bring it, they don't allow us to park inside anymore" he put down the bags, " Wait here, I will be back quickly" he gestured moving ahead, took the right ally and vanished.
"Crooked looking guy" said Seema
"Women find every man crooked, what's wrong with him? A poor guy trying to earn his bread" replied Amaan trying to pull her leg.
"Just our 6th sense" she said smiling, "Its so cold here and also very late, hope we reach aunt's home safely" said Seema blowing into her hands.
"Have faith" said Amaan reassuringly, "God watches over us all and there is his protection all around, only we don't see it"
No sooner had he finished the sentence, a sudden voice startled both, "Hello! Why are you standing here?"
They turned around and saw a policeman.
"We are waiting for the taxi" replied Amaan
"Taxi? What taxi? Take the prepaid from the authorised booth right there, do you not see what time it is? Go..."
They looked at each other and then saw the van approaching from some distance, "There it is" said Amaan pointing to the oncoming vehicle.
"Come sir come" said the man jumping out of the driver side as the van stopped right in front, "Let me take these" he quickly grabbed the strollies and placed them in the boot.
"Who's he?" Asked Seema peeping into the van. "That's my brother on the co- driver seat, need to drop him enroute" came the reply from the man. Seema looked at Amaan who was by now in two minds but still unable to make a decision.
Prrrrrrrrrrr...The policeman suddenly blew his whistle as if to warn, "Do you not listen? Take the prepaid" he said getting a little angry, surprising both Amaan and Seema.
"What should we do?" asked Amaan quietly, "I think lets go with what the policeman says, but you would not listen to me" she replied.
The driver turned to the policeman, "Sir, why do you kick my livelihood? Its been a bad day already, I too have children to earn bread for" he said in a pleading tone.
The policeman took a good look at the driver and then peeped inside the van.
"Hmmm...papers? License and registration now!" He said in a commanding tone, "You touts have created much ruckus here already"
The man froze for a moment then suddenly changed his approach, "Sir, sorry" he turned to Amaan, "You please take another taxi from the booth itself, I'll get your lugguage down" he said signalling to his companion, then turning to the policeman he pleaded "Now ok Sir? I am leaving right away".
By now another policeman had come to the spot.
Amaan and Seema started to walk away quickly towards the prepaid taxi booth.
Once the couple had taken a taxi and it started to move out of the premises they could see a crowd gathering around the van. A police car had arrived on scene.
"Glad we are out of this, thank God" said Seema who was a few moments ago, not incorrect in her judgement of the guy who posed as a taxi driver.
A while back, having vanished into the ally, he had met his assailants.
"Tonight will be fun, I have a couple with me, we will have the booty and do away with them, you two take care of him and we'll handle the girl, follow me closely and you! Be with me".
"They are not local it appears, so we will take the usual secluded road. Now get the number plates switched" he instructed them in an evil tone ●
