Some nights cannot be forgetten

It seems that human memory does not have the same cleaning procedure as a computer would. Even if the files are old they just do not happen to delete. Very old incidents some times just open up when you see something that reminds you of that incident. Sumeet was a good friend of mine and we shared almost every school and class. We also played, partied together until 1992 when he decided to go abroad for studies.
It was heart breaking incident for both of us. I continued studying in India while Sumeet completed his education in abroad and also then got a good job there. In the early years of 1998 where email was started to pick up in India Sumeet would send me emails on my newly formed email address. His email would tell me that he had hit gold and now lives a rich life. It always made me happy for him. His news about marriage and his first baby all was communicated to me via the same email.Then one day he sent an email that he is going to be in town for 3 weeks.
Sumeet arrived on the airport and I was impressed to see him grow in to such a big man. His wife was not Indian, however looked good in the Indian outfit. I hugged him and after sharing some famous childhood lines dropped him at the nearby hotel where he had decided to stop. A thousand times I asked him and a thousand and one time he declined my offer to come at my place. I was not that happy but then it was not that bad since the hotel was an hour drive. That night I was going through some of my P.H.D notes when suddenly my phone rang.
I picked it up and other side was Sumeet who was gasping for air. I was not sure and asked him to drink water or settle down.After a couple of minutes Sumeet said "I had an anonymous call, the person sounded very serious he wanted 10000k US dollars in two hours, else he will kill all of my family, .." it was difficult to control him and I felt bad I was not with him. But nothing was still bad, I asked Sumeet to stay and calm and promise him to be at the hotel within an hours time. I rushed out kick started my cousins bike and left.
Sumeet met me below at the hotel lobby, he was carrying the money. "Lets just go and give him the money...........I don't trust Indian police or security......he gave me the address please let us go....." Before I could educate my friend that his methods are wrong he was on my bike pinching me start fast as he murmured an address. I thought it was a very bad idea but then seeing Sumeet just did not say anything and started the engine again.