It was the news in the second page of The Hindu that attracted him.
" Two little children meet death under the wheels of a truck on the highway. They had gone to pluck mangoes in the nearby mangrove and had taken a lift on a bike while returning. The speeding truck had hit the bike from behind, instantly killing the children. The biker had escaped with minor injuries. "
It had all the aspects for a story... Reality, life, tragedy and horror.. All ingredients for the next column..
He imagined the punch line..
"If you see two kids asking for a lift after midnight on the highway, stop at your own risk.. They are waiting for you, around the corner , to join them, in death.."
The clock chimed 11 times, and after an unsure pause , once more.. Looking out of the window, the roads were empty.. The highway lay like a large black serpent bathed in halogen lamps.. Time had flown so fast like a vulture carrying away it's prey.. It was time to call it a day and go home and relax with a scotch on the rocks.. And may be Maya is home today.. He felt a strange sense of excitement.. Time to go..
The security had gone to sleep. He eased the car on to the sleeping serpent and vroomed away towards Adayar..
It was a bit of surprise the the car coughed to a stop after a few miles.. It was a new Honda and as Hondas go, they are mostly defect free... He got out, cursing.. Maya would have gone to sleep now, and then, so would the scotch..
Then the board on the side of the road caught his eye.. It read "Semmenchery" ..
Wasn't that the same name he had read in the Hindu ?
Then he notices two little forms on the side of the road.. And to confirm his fears, he notices one of them is clutching few mangoes in one hand..
Panting and sweating, he gets in to the car.. Surprisingly , it starts without a problem.. As he accelerates off, he looks at the rear view mirror for a second..
The two little forms are in the back seat.. Eyes red and one of them has trickle of blood oozing down his forehead..
"Adi Pettirichu.." said a little voice...
And then everything went black..
The Hindu read the next day..
" Fatal accident near Semmenchery. A speeding Honda City lost control and veered off the road , and over turned. The driver, a senior reporter , was instantly killed. No one else was injured. Police has filed a case of accidental death. It seemed that the victim was not under the influence of alcohol. Investigation is on . The victim was driving his new car which he brought after his bike was involved in an accident few weeks back.. "
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I complete the blog and close my iPad.. Eyes are becoming heavy and sleep is round the corner.. The clock chimes 11 times, and after an uncertain pause,once more..
My door bell rings..
I look through the peep hole.. In the darkness outside, do I see the outline of two little forms..?
And one of them.. Is he clutching a handful of mangoes.. ?
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