This incidence dates back to Oct 28th, 2015.
Overconfidence, almost every time, leads you to a mess!
As decided, for Wednesdays, inspite of a lot of mental and physical resistance, set out for Sinhagad at 5:10am.
The fuel indicator showed that the petrol was at the minimum, but I continued, deciding on filling the tank on my return.
As I crossed Khadakwasla the car started giving warnings. I preferred to ignore it. As I crossed Donje Phata, the Car started stuttering on upward slopes, I had no options but to carry on.
As I neared the base of the mountain, the slope of the road increased and the car gave away! I was stranded on the middle of the road! My attempts to park the vehicle on the sides failed as the car decided that it is not going to cooperate and teach me a lesson for its under nourishment.
It was stark dark outside and the same condition inside my mind. No idea as to what I should do. I was desperate. A little fear too existed.
Finally, I decided to leave the car as it is and set out for my journey up the hill.
As I walked, initially a lot of thought of my return journey were coming but it subsided as the elevation increased. This was my third climb in three weeks. On one side I was proud of myself for attempting this climb while on the other I was frustrated on myself for the foolishness I had made.
I completed the day's target of 40min climb and after a rest of 5 min started on my way back.
As I came down, the Temple of Vittal Rukhmini, in which the devotees were getting ready when I started, was in its full flow. The devotees had warmed up and were in their zone reciting lovely bhajans and swaying their body on its rhythm. The 'Gabara', lightened up with the light of the Arti, was looking amazingly pure. I immersed myself into this mood for sometime and after the bhajan got over resumed with my walk.
A thought crossed my mind, though selfish, that will my god help me out of this situation.
By now, I was pretty clear on my line of action.
The solution was quite simple. I had to reach the nearest Petrol Pump, somehow. Get 2-3 bottles of Petrol filled. Come back to the car. Empty the bottles in the Tank and see if the machine starts.
With the resolution firm and with the new found faith, as I was passing the village, first I saw a Bus waiting for the passengers. Just some moments ago, I had seen the Driver and Conductor of this Bus climbing up the hill. I calculated that it will take another 10-15 min before they return. Hence, I decided not to enter the Bus but to look for anther option.
At hardly 20 steps away I saw my saviour! A school Van filling its passengers, small kids, 5-6 years old, waiting on the sides. I identified the driver and asked him whether he would give me a lift. Though he was a little tentative, he agreed to partially solve my problem. He offered to take me along till the Petrol Pump.
I boarded this vehicle not knowing another beautiful experience lay in store. This Van used to stop at particular intervals and parents would be waiting for this Van to see off their kids. It was a cute experience. One of the kid had his younger sibling coming to see him off and as he climbed up the Van, the younger one said good bye to him at least 4 to 5 times with so much excitement which we elders can't even imagine of. It was apparent that the kid was desperately waiting to grow up and like his big brother enjoy this Van some day.
As we neared our destination, the Van Kaka, intelligently informed that after filling up the bottles in the Petrol Pump, I won't be easily getting any lift back and he said that he will be again going back the same trail to pick up some more kids in his second round. So he asked me to wait on the side of the road for 5 min until he returned and that he will help me reach my car. I couldn't believe my luck!
Everything happened as planned by Raju Chavan, the Van Kaka, and within a short time, I was near my Car.
The procedure after that was easy and in no time I was behind the steering wheel on my way back.
Wondering I was, whether, it was actually the Van Kaka or God Vittal himself giving me this beautiful experience!
So what do I learn? Should I be more organised the next time and avoid all these unplanned activities or will I get one more opportunity to be messy and in the process experience Him!
