A Bike Ride

 

I was in Tarkarli village for two days. It’s a small sea-village so to roam around I hired a bike. The cook of the resort where I was staying lent it to me. His bike, my petrol. I was riding after a long time so I was a bit cautious and anxious. But I soon realised I didn’t have to be since early morning the roads were empty. And it was too early even by my standards. I rode at a leisurely pace- the pace of a village. The cool breeze against my face. The clucks of hens and roosters crossing the road or randomly taking a ramp-walk. Some halted and stared at me wondering who this weird person was who got up in the morning before us. I took their permission, waved and rode ahead. The village homes were built in a modern style - probably better since almost all houses had a balcony or a verandah,  a rare thing for the city people. And a poultry farm. I guess the population of hens and roosters was double or triple than the people who lived there.  I was right in taking their permission to ride. The road zigzagged through the village in a lazy manner.  I passed some garages.  The road turned and kinda abruptly halted near an open sand area. I paused my bike. There were boatmen waiting. They had their boats ready to take a customer for a sea- ride if they wished. Some recognised me since I had already ridden their boat for dolphin sighting. They smiled and greeted me. They offered me chai which they were drinking from a big flask. I thanked but declined. I rode further down and after a short ride the road ended where it met the sea. I got down from the bike and took in the view. This place was called  sangam since here, a nearby river met the sea. There was an old tree trunk half buried in the sand. I got down from my bike and sat on it.  I could see the colour of the sea changing and the sea taking a different shape. Hmmm.  I sat there for a long time. Don’t know how long but long enough to wake up a dog who belonged  to that area, or rather owned the area. The boss. He saw me, barked, sniffed and then sat next to me wagging his tails in approval. I was accepted.  He sat with me giving me company and every now and then looked at me  asking -  how is my place, my sangam? - and I patted his head each time. He seemed to like it.  Or rather vice versa. He fell asleep lolling. I fell asleep sitting, dozing. Some few minutes later I woke up and saw the boss was still dozing. But he sensed I was awake and squinted at me. Time to say goodbye. I patted his head one last time and started my bike to explore the other side of the village. The village was waking up…..