Farm diaries - An Unexpected Passenger
We have a family farm near Latur. I go there once every month to check-in and see how it's going.
A story from the farming weekends.
It was Sunday morning. Sundays are perfect because I usually put in some farm work on Saturday. So I get a really good sleep and a great start to Sunday. I also tried out my new shoes "No bull" they are a treat for the feet. They are wide toe shoes and super lightweight.
So just around dawn and half asleep we got ready on Sunday. Hit the road for the farm. In the morning it's a nice 30 minute drive.
I put on Sinners OST.
Just perfect.
Around the part where I am driving at 90km/hr. I feel something nudge against my feet. It's the slightest sensation.
Thoughts of my feet sleeping or some neurological snafu crossed my mind. Maybe I should be taking my B12 regularly. Are these some early signs of something going wrong in my body? Maybe I am getting old...
Again the same exact nudge.
Enough for me to not ignore it.
And then again!
I did go to the farm yesterday. So a rat could have slipped into the car. Even worse a snake.
I am driving at 90km/hr with Payal (My wife) and Mom. Best not to panic. I slow down the car. Slowly at first and then quickly.
One more nudge! The sensation is even stronger this time.
Both Payal and Mom are worried. I tell them not to panic.
It's still dawn. So not enough light. I turn on my phone torch. Carefully inspect the area where the clutch is. I realise it's just my left foot. Nothing there.
I take out the dust mat. Lots of dried mud. But nothing.
As I am standing outside the car.
Same sensation again!
Only one thing left to check.
I gasp.
I take off my left shoe.
Put down on the ground as if it's a live grenade.
I collect my courage. My mind already know what to expect.
It's a chipkali looking from inside the shoe at me.
I almost faint from the shock. But manage to run as far away from the car as possible.
My saviour, Payal takes care of the shoe.
After coming back to my normal heart in 30 minutes I continue driving. With this gnawing phantom feeling of my left foot.
I complete the farm work.
Left foot still twitching once in a while.