Despite the fact that I had not given my 9th final examination I was promoted to 10th std. as special case and due to my track record. I was center of attention for everyone in society in school. Even my schoolmates try to ask me about my venture. But I was very firm about my fake story. I had to face lots of social embarrassment. I was more attentive more observant. I don't want to exposed to the world.
My family members was worried about my future. I was in my own world. looking for next adventure. last incident I had sacrifice my bi-cycle. Even father sold his old bi-cycle in fear of my escape through the bi-cycle. one day evening me and my father went to barber shop. It was day before my regular weekly test of 10th std. It was Friday evening . Father was very cautious about me. He don't want to loose me from his eye site. Barber finished business with me. It was my fathers turn to cut his hair.
The barber shop was poorly ventilated. I requested my father that It is very hot inside the shop so I will wait outside on scooter. He initially refuse but latter allow me to do so. I taken this chance. I seated on scooter for 3-4 min. I was waiting for the opportunity to runaway. once barber turns his back on me I immediately jump off the scooter and started running fast as I can. within minute I saw barber also running after me. I run fast as I could. and at the crossing the road I just jump into to the moving auto rich show and order him to take me to Andheri railway station.
I was so scared that if barber could have caught me. I was breathing heavily. I was having only 10 rupees in my pocket. I was worried about auto fair,before station arrive I told rich show driver to stop and told him fake story that I am victim of pick pocketing and I had to travel to Charchgate. I had only 10 rupees. to my surprise he believed on my story and taken no money from me.
I just get the local train ticket to Panvel and catch the local. I change local twice at Dadar and Kurla. and get into the Vashi local. during that period the Vashi was the last stop for Harbor locals. I was having little doubt. am I traveling with proper route. The doubt become reality. I have taken wrong route to reach Panvel. The Panvel route was via Diva Junction.
Local reached to the Vashi. All of the remaining people get down. I was totally new to the railways station. Many times station was seen through the S.T Bus. It was almost 8.30 in the night. There was ticket collector who check my ticket. He just mark the ticket with pen and handover the ticket back to me. I was now on foot. Next complete journey I have to carry on foot.
I started walking towards the highway. I walked almost for two hours. One Petrolling Police Jeep stop in front of me. Inspector ordered me to get inside the Jeep. I was scare to the death. Now everything is finished. I was in big trouble. Jeeps had taken a speed and Inspector asked me about my where abouts.
Inspectors was little bit suspicious about me. He asked me,"Did you running away from home? where you stay? what is your native place? etc. I told him the half truth. I told him my real name, real address, real native place everything true. except I had change the references. He further threatened me tell me the truth or I will put you in remand home. I pleaded him not to do so. I told him that I don't want to go to remand home. Even I refer to the movie seen two days ago. I was continuously talking about my self. I have to defend my self. I told him that I am alone in this world except my Grandmother. she stays at Andheri. I am working as Hotel boy at Hotel Datta Guru near S.T.Bus depot. I get earning about 300 rupees per month. etc. I had gone to meet my Grandmother. Now I have to reached the Hotel as early as possible. I have ticket to Panvel but I mistakenly get into the Vashi local. I had no money further to travel. All this data of payment and remand home was from movie "Salam Bombay" I had seen that movie two days before this incident took place
Jeep stop well before the Panvel S.T. depot. and he ordered me to get down. He suggested not to travel alone in so late. I thank him for giving me lift up to Panvel. Jeep turns back and taken different route. I had to walk at least 15 minutes to reach Panvel S.T. depot.
It was almost 11.30 pm. The S.T. depot was empty. very few people awake. most of the waiting passenger were in half sleep. I had just escape from big blunder. I am still amaze that the 16 year kid could convince Police Inspector. May be It was my luck. but considering the fact I had given It's logical that Inspector has no other option than believing what I told him. If kid is running away from home How could it be possible to know so much details near Panvel S.T.Depot.
I was very much tired and hungry. after my lunch I had not eaten any thing. I just drink lots of water. I mate one old person on the S.T. depot. I was alert. He just inquired,"what are you doing so late night at the S.T. Stand." I told him that I am staying in Panvel Bazar and I have sleep disorder. My home is very small and to kill the time I am at S.T. depot. I was stark awake. I taken power nap for 5-10 minute. but worried about some body will catch me.
I had to wait until the down. I started my Journey towards Khopoli around 4.00 a.m. I had only two rupees left in my pocket after taking Panvel ticket. I usually don't drink the tea. but outside S.T. depot I have spent one rupees for the tea.
I was too much tired but I had to carry on. I had taken rest for 2-3 min in after 5-6 kilometers. I continuously walk towards Khopoli. after 9.00 a.m The heat of the Sun started building up. I was not having any water bottle or any such thing along with me. I don't want to get dehydrated. I used simple technique to avoid dehydration. whenever I see the Dhaba. I was drinking lots of water and requested waiter to bring me some Sugar. I was eating two-three spoon sugar for every visit to Dhaba. This approach helped me to avoid fainting out.
The Panvel Khopoli distance is around 33 km. It took me almost 8 hours to reached Khopoli. Around 12 noon I was near Khopoli. I had made up my mind. every now and then I was shifting focus from one corner to another corner of the road. constantly telling my mind that I will stop at next corner. I was not having any specific thoughts in my mind but I was keenly observing the surroundings. walk walk continuous walk........to be continued
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