Late night ride...

During a recent outing late into the night, I happened to meet a guy on the highway. He seemed to be broke and was sitting on the roadside railing with his bike parked nearby. Upon stopping and talking to him, I learnt something that is prevalent in today's world. Although he was doing something wrong, there was something that was worth listening and learning from his experience. In our short conversation that lasted just few minutes, I gave him what best I could and made sure he was going home safe and not sitting in the dark for long.

To beat out stress, I take out to the bypass quite often and spend some relaxing time riding my bike and let the night's chill to subside the burning rage inside me. In one such ride, so late into the night, I saw this guy wiping tears and coughing and trying to pretend he was fine when I was about to park my bike nearby to check if he had some problem with his bike that was parked on the roadside. It was a weird spot for anyone to sit and relax as such. It seemed as if he was waiting for some help to tow his bike. But, upon enquiring him, it happened to be something else that is becoming prevalent nowadays to guys.

Me: Hey, Hi! Any problem with your bike? Do you need any help?

Guy: *Coughs and tries to look elsewhere while replying* No, No. I am fine. Bike is fine. Just taking some time to relax. You can carry on.

Me: *My doubt became evident when he answered saying he was fine when the question was just about his bike.* Alright. My bike has some problem. I need to check it. I am going to park nearby and see what happened.

Guy: *Turns to the other side and starts to wipe his face and slowly tried to walk further away* Oh, Okay.

Me: Hey! What are you crying for? You seem to be trembling too much. If there is anything I can do, let me know. 

Guy: *Turns in a fit of rage* Yes, Everything is a problem if it has something to do with me. I am trying to get some time for myself. You get your work done and leave. Thanks.

Me: Come on. I saw you crying even before I stopped my bike. My bike is absolutely fine. I knew something was wrong here and I stopped because I am out here at this hour because everything is a problem if it has something to with me as well. So, seat yourself on your bike and you will feel better than standing along in this darkness.

Guy: You too? *Laughs* Soon, this highway will be full I guess.

Me: Alright, what is bothering you at this hour? 

Guy: Do I look too lean to be incapable to hit you right now? 

Me: What? Maybe yes. Maybe not. You and me are both of the same physique with what I can see. Why does that matter anyway? 

Guy: No. I am jobless. I am trying my best to get my career on track. I have had pretty worse times of recent. And, I even lost in Love. It went to such an extent where the Girl's father managed to arrange people to hit me. If only I was strong enough physically, I would have smashed each of those goons to make sure they do not resort to such cheap things just because I am in Love with that Girl. 

Me: Oh! Why did you not register a complaint with the cops? Why did they want to hit you? Does the girl love you or...? Btw, why do you think you cannot hit them back? Go to the gym, get yourself fit and find them and hit them like how they show in the movies. But, what difference will it make? If you feel it will give you any happiness or any progress, go ahead and do it. What or who is preventing you?

Guy: Yes, she does love me. Of recent, everything is going out of my control. And, I cannot afford to go to a gym. My family is not wealthy enough to let me go to gym and all. I do not even get to eat full meals. But, I always wanted to be fit and stout. It is just that I cannot afford it right now. And, that is one of the reasons why these people can easily do whatever they wish to do. Today, I am standing here all alone but she is happily sleeping as if nothing ever happened. How unfair is this world?

Me: Bro, relax. Everyone will get their day. Why do you stress it out too much? And, are you sure she is sleeping happily? You never know. Anyway, You have a good bike here. Why not take it out and beat your stress just like how I am doing?

Guy: I cannot. I wanted to escape from the pain I feel every time I think of what happened and I thought of going for a ride. But, my bike's fuel ran out. I was so stressed that I did not even notice it. Now, I have no money. You know, it just feels like everything wants me beaten.

Me: Hmmmm, I can help you with the fuel. I will get you home. That should not be a matter of concern now. So, just because you starve everyday, you do not have a job, you are forcefully weakened by the society, you gave your true love to this girl, you have the will to stand and face all these, they hire people to hit you? Nice. Good. In a way, these kind of issues are on the increase only for guys. The girls do not seem to be thinking anything about this and neither do they stand and talk in support of guys when it really matters. But, we cannot change the society as such. And, I understand we cannot give up on our views as well. 

Guy: I will repay you for the fuel once we reach home. I know how valuable money is. You seem to be having a costly bike. You have more money? Does your girlfriend or girlfriends always be with you? When money is there, people forget everything else. Isn't it? If only I had sufficient money, I would have been fit enough and when those goons neared me, I would have hit them like how it comes in the movies. But, today, because of my family's financial situation, I could not even eat properly and keep myself in proper shape. I feel so ashamed. Not even my parents have hit me or touched me. I do not know how to tell them of what happened. Do these girls know of anything that happens to us alike? 

Me: Come on, Bro. Let us not conclude girls to be ruthless. Even if they are, let it be. In your case, this looks like their family members are cheap. They seem to be doing anything just because they have money. When one of their own happens to find themselves in a situation where you are, they will learn. Let us not get into their dirty game. Today, you are different because you hide all your pain inside and you are victimised and you are finding yourself in a situation where you cannot tell this to anyone or you do not want to tell this to anyone. That is your true self. Do not let that be destroyed. As for myself, all I have is only this bike and that too my Mom got it for me. I have no money as well. I am indeed in a crossroad with regard to my career. I agree money blinds  people. It is not because they have money, it because they do not understand the current circumstances of people like you and me and what it feels to be like without proper sleep, food and sustenance. They might have lived without money once upon a time but times change and living without money 10 years ago is not the same as living without money today. A lot has changed. Today, money rules everything. Sadly, money blinds even true emotions. 

Guy: Yes. But, *cries* if I had money, you know? I would have not been so lean like what I am right now. I would have afforded proper food, sleep and been to the gym and I would have not let anyone touch me. 

Me: Hey! Relax. This is not your fault. You still have the fighting spirit inside of you. Money can be earned any day. But, not character. By doing all these cheap things, they lost their character if at all they had one. You, on the other side, have retained your character. If you did nothing wrong, you will live to see them pay for this. I will not ask you to stop crying. Let all your pain out. Feel fresh and let me know. I am going for a 10 Kms ride along this bypass and returning home. I will tow your bike all the way to the fuel station nearby and let us get back home soon after a relaxing ride.

Guy: I will repay the cost of fuel once we reach home. I am sorry you have to tow all the way. If I had money, I could have afforded on-road assistance, you know?

Me: Dude, you seem to be obsessed with money and the depression arising out of not having enough money. I do understand your position in Life and all that you have come across. You can pay me for the fuel once you get your first salary. I will give you my details. And, I do understand the trauma you are undergoing after what those goons did to you. Time will heal and remember, time will also answer. Now, if you will let me tow your bike, shall we make a move from this place? And, once you reach home, go to your parents and tell them all that you have come across. I mean, not myself coming and talking to you here. *Laughs* You go and tell them everything that happened before that. They will understand and know you were helpless just as they are. Do not stop with just that. Tell them you will earn well and you will get your dreams realised. That one statement will keep them away from guilt. Never stop assuring people around you. Always keep them energised. Whether you get a job or not is in your destiny, but until you step out of troubled waters, do not let anyone know that you are drained. If there is anything we can do, let us not give up even if we are beaten or even broken.

Guy: Hmmmm. Let time heal and answer. Can you give me your details? I will give a friend request. I.....

Me: To be honest, let us not be friends. Let us forget what happened here. Let us be mere strangers. If we become friends or if you find me anywhere in your social media or contacts or anywhere, you will always be reminded of this talk. Instead, I will choose to be a stranger to you. Let it be like we never met. 

Guy: But,......

Me: Even the money for the fuel, I am spending only for fuel sufficient enough to take you home. Earlier I said I will give you my details to make you feel comfortable and not make you feel timid by offering monetary help when you are already depressed for not having enough money. If you happen to visit any temple, you can deposit it as offering to the almighty. Once, I was stranded in Tirupati just like you and one of them helped me. I did the same. So, once you get your job, you can do that. Now, we can make a move.

Ever since this conversation happened, I have been thinking about these parents of the girls. If something goes wrong, these numbskulls resort to such extremes just because they want to extract revenge. What would happen if the same is repeated by the parents of such guys? What if the guys' parents threaten to kick the girl's parents or resort to hiring goons or threatening to wipe off the girl's family just because the guy's side is wealthy? Well, that is where real guys stand, the real Men to be exact. Err.... when I say guys, I mean only genuine guys. Not the ones who go around murdering girls which is also becoming fancy on the other side. *Facepalm*

Although Love is mutually enjoyed by both the girl and the guy, guys have been far more mature in handling it. These girls, they sit like dumb dolls when they should actually be speaking out "the truth". The simple truth of saying that the girl is also in love with the guy. The truth, my darlings shall not be buried for long. If you bury a small truth today, it will be the seed to a huge tree tomorrow. Even if the seed doesn't germinate, the same small truth shall be right there where you buried it, to be unearthed by someone some day. I hope the guy is safe. -rPhoenix