Guys

It was a long overnight journey from kollam to palakkad by train. I was traveling to Pondicherry. From Palakkad I boarded an early morning bus to Thiruppur. The conductor asked me to get down at middway at Coimbatore and board another bus to avoid time delay. They will be having a halt for 15 minutes there. I was confused; should I get down and get another bus or wait in the same bus. Anyway let the bus reach Coimbatore. Then I will decide.

The guy in the front seat turned back and asked help to open the bus window. I helped him and he thanked me.

He asked “where you are going?”

“Thirupur”. I answered casually. Was trying to study that guy. He’s a young chap with a baby’s innocent face. A chikna amul baby.He told that he completed Ayurveda medicine course and now doing internship at their med school at Thirupur. There was a feminine trace in his voice and body language which I was observing curiosly.

“Whats your name?” He asked

“Krishna.” I replied in a stren voice.

“Hmmm Krishna. Are you like Lord Krishna. Do you have so many girl friends?” He started giggling.

“What? No.I don't have anyone am married .” He again giggled at my answer.

“You look very smart”. He told. Yes defenitly this guy have got some problem.

“Where do you belongs to?” Just for conversation sake I asked him.

“Calicut”. Again a chuckle. I smiled and shook my head as I understood everything. Calicut has got a bad name that there are lot of gays overt here. Is he a…..? No it must be my bad judgment. We cannot generalize people. If there are some incidents like that happened to my friends in my college days doesn’t mean that this guy’s sexual orientation is wrong. e Those days even my close friend Tiger had a bad experience. He was the macho man in the college. He was coming back from Calicutby bus and one person approached him and tried to seduce him. The way Tiger handled him was famous story among our friends. The guy had got trashing in such a way that he was not able to walk properly for another week.

“So how many girl friends do you have?” I asked with a smile.

“I don’t have any girl friend. All my friends are boys only”. He giggled again. This was irritating me for a while. I tried to close my eyes and pretend sleeping. But suddenly the bus stopped with a big sound. OK the driver had put sudden break, nothing to fear.

“ Why can’t you come to my seat.? We can talk and enjoy the journey.” He’s not going to leave me. Man this guy is going to be a pain in my neck.”Or else I will come to your seat.”

“No.” My answer was a bit loud. Nearby by passengers just turned their heads towards me.” I mean I want to get some sleep. Couldn’t sleep properly at night.” . I said in a lower voice trying to be calm.

“OK. Are you going to stay at Thirupur tonight. If you want you can stay at my hostel. Guests are permitted there.”

What the hell? I just looked at him for a while.

“Look boss I don’t want to stay there. And further I always try to keep a distance with strangers.” My answer made him a little sad.

“I didn’t mean anything. I was just trying to help you. You told you are going there for official meeting. Thought I will help you in a new city. That’s it.”

“Ok thanks for being so kind . But I fear I must refuse your offer.”
By that time the bus reached Coimbatore bus stand. I got off the bus without him noticing me and took another bus. I just sat relaxed. What all kind of people we have to meet in daily life. Some time it is too difficult to avoid these people. However you try to avoid them that much they try to make a contact with you.

The bus started moving. A dark middle aged man came and sat next to me. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

“Whats your name?” He asked putting his land on my lap.” You look smart.”