Sex @ Hubli

"Hello".

I heard someone calling me from nearby.

But could not locate. Because it was dark with hardly a 25 watts filament bulb near the tap bay where one washes one's hands after emptying bowels.

Again, "hello". The hushed voice was heard.

I stopped and looked around.

Now I was able to spot the voice owner. Now she was in 3 feet distance.

Must be in her early 20s.

Can see her plunging boobs.

Also protruding navel button.

Possibly at birth, the ayah or nurse while delivering this girl has cut the umbilical cord at a wrong place.

Yes, she is a human being, not a non-terrestrial person.

Only human beings have a navel button, I had read somewhere.

Now she was just a feet away.

I can see her clearly.

Dark lip sticks. Chiffon saree. Sleeveless blouse. Some cheap talcum powder. And some cheap perfume.

Come hither looks.

I was getting nervous.

Yes, she is a pros... sorry, commercial sex worker. Female at that.

"Karna hai kya? (Want to do it?)," she asked.

Her voice was soft and gentle.

Her trade USP.

I know what service she wanted to provide.

Am I in need of that service?

Good question.

Honestly I did not want to answer.

Sex is the best form of stress buster, I had read somewhere.

400 odd kilometres ride on a 40kmph speed truck carrying 28 tonne load.

The ride was smooth. But I am not used to travelling in trucks such long distances on highways that too in night time. Body was aching. A bit of relaxation is a necessity.

Sex? No.

Sleep? Yes.

Wanted to rush out from there.

It was past 1.30 a.m.

Hardly half an hour ago, I had arrived from Krishnagiri, Tamilnadu on a Mercurio Pallia car carrier with 8 Hyundai's i10s from Chennai for delivery in Delhi/Gurgaon in 7 days time.

The stoppage at this moment was Hubli in Karnataka.

It was my Day 2 on this 2800 km long journey to understand logistical challenges one faces when transporting goods across interstate borders.

I had left Chennai the previous evening 6.30 p.m.

"Worried?"

It was she again.

"What?," I responded.

"Aap ko dar lakta hain kya? Koi nahi ayega ither," (Are you afaid? No one will come here) she tried to assure me thinking that I was game for a sexual encounter with her, but was worried about police etc.

I remained silent. Also my legs were frozen. Out of fear. Out of anxiety.

Do I want to have sex with this young thing?

Bullshit.

"Sir, mere pas rubber hai," she said. (I have condoms)

The mention of condoms immediately brought back memories of Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Deputy Director General of National Aid Coordination Organisation (NACO), a government body set up under the Ministry of Healthcare whom I had met with Ved Shukla a fortnight ago in Delhi in his office.

We met to discuss the possibility of exploring the sex behaviour of drivers on highways. I was interested and Dr Dhingra briefed me a lot on the issues to be addressed. Junior officials in NACO were introduced to me to help me en route.

In fact, an official letter was put out to all NACO outfits in the states I was crossing through to help me with all support. Including supply of condoms!!!

This Hubli incident happened so soon. Instead myself offering condoms to drivers for safe sex, now I was being offered one for my personal use!

Friends, who were in the know of things, joked that I will be having a 'gala' trip on all nights during this 8-day, 7 night trip!

"Sorry. Mujhe jaroot nahi hai," (Sorry. I don't need your sexual services), I told her.

"Madrasi hai kya, aap?," (Are you from Madras?) she demanded.

My Bollywood style Hindi would have been the giveaway. She was smart enough to figure out my roots. Yes, I am from Chennai, the erstwhile Madras.

I did not respond to her.

Now she was much closer to me: less than a feet away.

I can smell her perfume.

Too heady.

In another step, her nipples would definitely rub my chest.

I was worried.

55 years never strayed away.

Now this challenge!

A pleasant or punishing encounter?

"I am tired. I am going to sleep," I told her.

She was not ready to give up.

"Hum saath mein soyengi," (We will sleep together), she said.

I began to perspire. It was November and had rained in the past few days Still I was sweating.

The fear factor.

I stepped back to avoid and body contacts with her.

What if...

her nipples brush against me?

What if...

she forcefully hugs me?

What if ...

she quickly undresses me?

I was just wearing shorts which will come off in just one solitary pull downwards.

Oh God, why not someone come to the toilet and save me?

"Koi baat nahi. Basuri karengi. Aap ko kuch takleef nahi hogi... Ghoda sawari mein shayad ...," she said. (No issues. Let us do 'flute' style. You don't have to exert like in horseride style).

My breathing was getting quicker. Out of excitement or fear? Dunno.

"Chalo. Aap dar gaye hai," (No problem. You are afraid) she said and moved away.

Yes, she moved away.

Driver Umesh Rana enquired about the delay when I returned to the Tata 3516x model horse to sleep for the next couple of hours before resuming journey.

I narrated the entire story.

Umesh in his 20s could not hide his chuckle.

He did not make any nasty remarks.

But sure, he must have something to say. Out of politeness, kept quiet.

The Hubli incident made me do one thing over the next 6 nights.

Invariably we will reach a highway side dhaba (eating joint) where the truckers would halt for dinner and 4-hour sleep which also has a large parking space.

Every night, I would request Umesh or his assistant Pinto Sau (21 year old Jharkhandi) to accompany me to the toilet!

Honestly, I can never forget that girl's face outside Hubli toilet.

Was my flesh willing, but morality prevented any sex outside marriage?

Am clueless.

Will I be ready next time at least to face and talk boldly with this kind of service providers?

Dunno.

This Hubli encounter would have lasted a little under 5 minutes.

But it appears that I was "engaged" with her for eternity.

I have become time-unconscious.

What was I worried about?

Need time to assimilate and assess my capability: mental and physical.