I just used the longer road because there was something wrong about the shorter one.
It was an ordinary journey.
Out of town, a hasty drive, do what I needed to do, and be back before nightfall. Nothing complicated. Nothing dramatic.
At least that was the plan.
The highway that I mostly used was very busy but it was predictable. Everyone knew it. Buses, bikes, street venders it was ever bustling with activity. You could have a quick run, and you put up with the sound.
However, that was a day when the traffic was not so good.
I sat at the wheel and watched cars crawling along, engines running, horns blowing in the background like the soundtrack that no one ever wants to hear. Frustration began to creep in after almost twenty minutes of making hardly any progress.
It was then that I recalled the other road.
The other one that was hardly ever used.
It was not so much of a back door. No one was unaware of its existence. It was shunned, however, by the majority.
Too quiet, somebody had once said to me.
There was nothing there, another had said.
And perhaps that was the very reason why I selected it.
I turned the wheel and abandoned the busy road.
The distinction was instantaneous.
The sound went away first.
No horns. No shouting. No rush.
Only the noise of my motor and the now and then passing of the breeze through the window.
The highway was not a terrible one it was only empty. On each side were tall grasses which swayed a little with the wind. A few old houses here and there which seemed to have a tale no one was listening to anymore.
Initially, it was quiet.
Almost too peaceful.
After some ten minutes, I realized something was wrong.
A man standing on the side of the road.
He was not making a waive. He was not pointing to anything.
He stood there just standing there.
Still.
Watching.
I was brought to a halt in slowing down without conscious thought as I got closer.
He didn’t move.
Didn’t even blink.
I thought of quitting a second. Inquiring whether he needed assistance.
But there was something about the manner in which he stood there which made me hesitate.
Not fear exactly.
Just… discomfort.
So I kept driving.
Several minutes later I glanced in my rearview mirror.
He was still right there.
Standing in the same position.
Watching.
I attempted to shake it off.
Perhaps he is simply waiting some one, I muttered to myself.
But it was so quiet on the road that every little idea stood out all the more.
The road became a little narrower as I went on.
There were fewer houses.
The silence was more oppressive.
And then I saw it just at the side.
There was a parked car on the roadside.
The door was wide open.
No one inside.
I came to a crawl once more.
This time around, my curiosity overcame me.
I pulled over.
I simply sat there, staring at the vacant car, momentarily.
Engine off. Door open. Not even a bit of movement.
It did not seem as though someone has just walked away.
It felt… abandoned.
“Hello?” I called out.
No response.
Just the wind.
It was then that I heard some footsteps behind me.
Slow.
Measured.
I turned quickly.
And there he was.
This is the same man as before.
Being several steps apart.
You must not stop here, he said to himself compositely.
His voice wasn’t threatening.
But it was not chummy either.
Just… certain.
I swallowed.
I beheld the car, I said. I just figured that somebody might be in need of aid.
He shook his head a little.
Those who pass by here have a general idea, which they are generally the same.
It was something in the manner in which he said it that made my chest tighten.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Rather he gazed along the road before him.
This road is not dangerous because of such as you see, he said to himself. It is dangerous due to what you suppose.
I frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
He turned around to look at me.
Thou belieorest silent is safe, he went on. You believe that nothing is happening, empty.
A pause.
But there are times when it simply happens that no one is left to remind you.
A shiver down my back.
I felt a sudden realisation of how lonely I was.
No traffic. No people. No noise.
Just me… and him.
I believe I ought to go, I said, endeavoring to make my voice remain unchanged.
He nodded.
“That would be wise.”
I didn’t wait.
I got into my car again, turned the engine on and drove.
Faster this time.
I didn’t look back immediately.
However, a few seconds later, I could not resist.
I looked at the rearview mirror.
He was gone.
Completely gone.
No footsteps. No movement. Not even any trace that he had ever been there.
I did not take another slowing down until I reached the main road.
The noise returned. The traffic. The chaos.
And it was comfortable, like it had never been before.
I got to know something that I had not anticipated on that day.
The less traveled road does not necessarily the right option.
Sometimes…
…it is vacant because individuals have already learnt how to avoid.
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