Short Man at the Bus Stand

Everyday morning while going to office on the Kruze bus, I see a short man standing at Kapurbawdi Bus stand in Thane. He is around 3 and half feet, always well dressed, waiting...for bus or auto or someone, I could not fathom. And non of these days it happened that I could see him boarding anything. He just stands there looking at everyone, studying vehicles and people crossing him.

He attracted my attention not only because of his height but a strange kind of happiness on his face which was their on his face everyday. I saw other people standing beside him, some impatiently looking at their watch, some checking their mobile, some speaking to others. But this person curiously just stands there, wearing a crisp ironed formal white shirt and a grey trouser, and that strange satisfied happy look on his face...it's such a rare emotion to find on a person's face at that hour in the morning when everyone is trying to reach office on time with the chaotic traffic at Ghodbunder Road.

The one day when I could not contain my curiosity, I thought of meeting this mysterious person and put an end to my questions. I took a half day leave from office and boarded my bike.

The place is about 3.5 kms from my house. On the way I was wondering how to present myself, what to ask him, he would not be offended. I saw him from a distance. I thought it would be better to park my bike at a distance and walk down to the bus stand as a passenger and then casually start talking to him. As I parked, I heard a screeching sound of tyre and saw a speeding truck trying to break to avoid an auto which just cut in front of it from right. The truck lost control and rushed towards the bus stand. Everyone running for their life but that little man with a clean crisp ironed shirt and grey pant calmly standing in his place and looking around. It happened so suddenly that I was shocked and could not do anything but look at the mishap helplessly. I opened my mouth to shout at him to run away and save himself, but no sound came out. Everyone was too busy in saving themselves and it seemed no one noticed this small man. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. The truck rushed towards the bus stand with great speed. Even when the truck was just a feet away from the little man there was no reaction from him. He was just standing there as nothing has happened and it is like any other day. The trucked rammed into the bus stand, smashing the little man. I don't know after how much time I could move but as soon as I was able to I rushed towards the bus stand.

The little man was no where. I looked around hoping against hope that he must have escaped at the last moment like a trained ninja warrier. But he was nowhere. Luckily no body was hurt except the bus stand, the truck and the driver.

I returned home wondering what I just witnessed. Thinking all the options which could explain this strange incident, but more I thought, the more confused I became.

I did not see the little man at the bus stop after that day. Was he a real person in flesh and blood...How could he be and where did he disappear. Was he a spirit...A happy satisfied spirit who came to the bus stand to see people busy on their morning schedule, running, worrying. What do you think?