Why me??? - A short story

Disclaimer : All events and characters in this story are fictional and any resemblance is pure coincidence

I was driving back home after a long day's work. The same old routine everyday. Listening to Metallica's Fade to Black just like I do every other day. But was this just another day? All of a sudden there was a small child on the road just ahead of my car.

The next thing I remember is my aching head, legs and back and some voices asking me whether I was fine. Some people managed to carry me. That is the last thing I remember, before I went onto blissful sleep. I never slept like this in my life so far.

One fine day, I woke up from the sleep. I dunno how long I was asleep. But this awakening was very much different from the usual. I felt very good, brisker than ever, fitter than ever and got up from the bed without much fuss. I have always been a person, who never looked back in my life. Maybe this was the reason why I didn't want to look back at the place from where I got up.

I headed towards home, sweet home. I missed home all this time. I was looking forward to go back home. I got into the bus. It was the quietest and the most peaceful ride I have ever had in a bus. As the bus neared home, I was feeling very happy. But I didn't know that this happiness would be short-lived.

As I entered home, I saw all the people who mattered the most to me. My parents, my brother and sister and of course, my lovely wife. They seemed to be unaware of my presence at the door. Even though the door was open, I thought that I would surprise them with my presence by ringing the door bell. As I was about to ring the bell, I heard my mother's voice asking my brother to shut the door. He came to the door and slammed the door on my face.

I was shocked and terribly sad that my brother shut the door on my face and that too on the behest of my mother. With anger and dejection, I left home and went to my best buddy's place. Maybe he'll understand me. I saw him inside his house and thought that I could blurt out everything that happened. As I entered his house, he was sitting on the couch reading a newspaper. I sat next to him and started talking to him. To my surprise, he completely ignored me. Oh no! not him too!!!!

Are they angry at me? What is the reason for this immense hatred towards me? Now I remember!! What happened to that child that day? Did I kill the child with my car? I shudder at the possibility that I might have killed an innocent child. Why should this happen to me? God, of all people Why Me??? How will I convince them that it was not intentional?? Why me?? Why should I be in this mess??

I didn't know where to go next. I felt that I had to bide some time before convincing my family and friend. I went to the library nearby. I was in no mood to read anything. I took a random newspaper and started flipping through the pages. I stopped at a headline which read "YOUTH KILLED IN A CAR CRASH". I started thinking that the traffic situation has worsened to a point of no return. I didn't want to read further as the news about accidents makes me feel miserable. I just flipped throught the pages and started thinking on how to tackle the current situation.

I stood up and made up my mind that I'm going to get myself out of this situation. I went back home and walked in through the door. I saw a lady and her child talking to my parents. The child's face looked familiar. As I was wondering who the child was, I heard my wife crying in our room. I went into our room and started consoling her. She started crying more than ever and she got up in a jiffy and moved out of the room. I was taken aback by this. I didn't know how to react. I saw the same newspaper with the same headline as I had seen in the library.What a coincidence!! I started to read this news item.

It read " A 28-year old Software Engineer was killed in a car crash when he tried to avoid a child on the road" and the photo of the car was published. I looked at the photo. Something seemed very familiar in this picture. I saw the plate of the car and it struck me like a lightning. It was my car!!!!!

Now I remember, who the child talking to my parents was. It was the same child on the road. As I moved to the living room, I saw a huge photo of mine on the mantle, and my wife standing next to it. As I went closer, I heard the strange lady say amidst sobs "It was my mistake all along. I asked her to stay at the Super Market entrance as I went in to get an extra bag. She wandered onto the road by herself. If it was not for your son, I might have lost her forever. I'm really sorry that your son had to sacrifice himself for my daughter. I would always be grateful to your family".

My family was not disappointed by my actions. In fact, they are and will be proud of my last action for a long time.

All along I was asking the question "Why me", now I know why it was me.