The memory is still very vivid. I was ten years old and had recently moved to the south Indian city of Bangalore with my parents . I didn't know anyone, hadn't made any friends and had just joined a new school.
On the first day, after our classes ended, I went outside the school compound to take the bus home. When I reached there I saw that the bus stop was empty. Realization dawned on me.. the bus had already left! As I stood alone on the pavement, fear started creeping on me. It felt so real as my heart sunk .I had no means of getting home and could get into danger.
"How do I get home"? I didn't know the way, had no money and had never taken public transport on my own. As my tiny ten year old brain tried to find a solution, I said a little prayer ,"God, please help me".
Finally, after thinking for a few minutes, I decided to walk home.
Did I mention that I didn't know the way. Should I take the road that goes left? Or right? Or straight? Its then when I saw a man walking past me. I spoke aloud in my head, "God, I will follow this man. Please help me reach home". Without thinking further, I started following him.
The man's head was bowed as he walked quickly. I ran a few steps then followed his rhythm and started walking a few steps behind him. At this point, I was really scared. Probably I knew what a dangerous gamble this was. I could get lost in a big city and never find my way home. All these thoughts crossed my mind as I quietly followed him.
We went past many traffic lights and crossed many signals . The man never looked back, he never looked up and just kept walking with his head bowed. After about an hour, we reached a crossroad from where he suddenly turned left. As I stopped for a second and looked around, joy erupted inside me. I had reached the junction close to my house from where I knew the way. Relief and happiness overwhelmed me as I broke into tears. I was almost home.
Happily, I quickly turned around to look for that man . In a split second,he was gone.
Confused, I strained my eyes trying to locate him. I had taken my eyes off only for a few seconds and I should have been able to see him.The road was empty and there were no buildings till a distance. It wasn't possible for someone to just vanish. Where did he go?
Just like that, he disappeared forever.
I never saw him again.
I turned back and ran home. I didn't tell anyone about this incident until many years later when I shared it with my mother. That day, I felt that someone was protecting me, helping me and ensuring that I reached home safely.
Over the years, many of my childhood memories have slowly faded away but not this one. The memory is so fresh as if it happened yesterday. I have never forgotten this incident and probably never will. Even now, sometimes, I feel a force helping me and guiding me in life.
Small instances where I have been walking absent mindedly and have been stopped just before I hit a pillar.
Or when I had tried to cross a busy road, strangers have appeared and guided me to the other side.
Or the day when I had a horrific accident and flew from my bike on to the pavement. As my head hit the pavement, I felt that I fell on a pillow and escaped with minor bruises.
I wish I could explain this phenomenon..
Maybe its my guardian angel.