This incident happened to me about a year back..maybe more..But I just got down to writing about it now..I have no idea why I delayed it so much so don't ask me!
So what happened is this...I was driving back from work one very overcast and can-rain-anytime evening..There was a car behind me since I left from office and both were IBMers as I'd seen them around in the canteen and some such...So they were with me all the while but of course I didn't give them too much of a thought as you normally do with colleagues you see around and don't know! So here I was, merrily driving by myself, singing along with the radio and in general just enjoying the drive back (as much as one can considering the traffic and the road itself!)..
Now, as I approached a major intersection, there was no car in front of me and as the signals were off too, I started inching my way forward..There wasn't a cop in sight but as soon as I reached the middle of the square BANG! There he was in front of my car motioning me to stop! He came out of nowhere and caught me totally unawares..I knew I was done for when he asked for my licence and then took it away with him as he made me park by the side of the road..I didn't know what to do in this situation as traffic cops are pretty rough and talk very rudely..As I parked by the side of the road, I saw a car turn around and come back and park on the opposite side..When I got out of the car, I saw it was the same lady and her friend who were getting out..I found it a bit strange but didn't really think too much about it until they hailed me and started walking alongside me..They said I wasn't wrong and that they were there to help me..I was flabbergasted! I literally pinched myself to see if I was dreaming all of this..But I wasn't and they were very much there..They introduced themselves as Satish and Padma..I told them my name too and thanked them profusely for coming to my aid..They told me I wasn't at fault and that they were witness to everything that happened..
We then approached the cop and before he could say anything, Padma started off saying, "The signal's not on and you're standing in a corner. How would she know you're the manning the square if you're not visible...." and so on and so forth..Even Satish got into it with full gusto and started talking to the cop in Marathi..I did my part too by putting in a word or two..In Marathi I might add..This got the cop all confused and with a false bravado he too got into the melee by proclaiming that I was the one who broke the rules even when he was standing right there..And that so many accidents had happened at this square that he was there for our safety only..So in the end I apologized to him (even though I wasn't at fault) and the cop in his magnanimity gave me back my licence without taking a single naya paisa from me! Can you believe that?! I'd thought when I was stopped and my licence taken that I'd now have to cough up cash to get my licence back..But nothing of that sort happened!
So then, feeling very happy with ourselves, we walked back to our cars, with me thanking both Satish and Padma for their help again and again to the point where I think they got a bit embarrassed! But they were very graceful and said they came back because they knew I'd not done anything bad and they genuinely wanted to help out..So having said our goodbyes, we drove off to our respective destinations..
I still see them around in office and I always make it a point to greet them and talk for a few minutes..It's the least I can do after they came to my rescue so selflessly..Who these days does something like this? Would you?
