Memories of a driver!

Years ago for those working in Bahrain's Malls the person covered head to toe in a black veil, gloves and glass appeared to be a rich doting Saudi mother, leaping one aisle to other to select children's shoes, clothes and toys. The lady came in shining Rolls Royce with all the blink blink and couple of security guards.

But why would a woman wear a man's shoes? Why those body guards? And why did the person's fluid moments so familiar?

"As soon as we guessed it was Michael Jackson we started playing his music in the store" Said Bijesh Kumar a supervisor at Euphoria Music store. "But he was so scared he told the body guards to stop the music" Jackson did sign the autograph for us. Kumar said.

Jackson, his three children and assistants headed in to a Mother Care store in Marina Mall - Bahrain, the pop icon spent almost an hour sprinting around buying $2000 worth of clothes and toys said Laila Al-Aradi the cashier.

But while he was waiting for his assistant to pay Laila noticed the person in women's abaya is wearing men's shoes!

"I looked at him and mouthed Michael Jackson!" She said "but he wagged his finger at me to caution me against calling his name aloud"

Jackson made his way to the shoe store, the shop assistant thought he is assisting a wealthy Arab woman till he heard some Bahraini girls screaming " Michael Jackson!" out side the shop. The girls were trying to convince the cashiers and shop keepers there is Michael Jackson inside their shop!!

Crowd started growing in thick by the time MJ finished his shopping, shop manager had a real surprise to see MJ in his store, he regained his mental stability immediately and acted wise to help Michael Jackson and his kids to escape. MJ wanted to go out through emergency exit, since there is no emergency, the manager couldn’t open it. The mall's main door was packed with photographers and fans; there were a sizeable crowd at staff exit as well, people gathered from all directions to have a glance at their favorite star.

At the point, the women with Jackson asked their driver Ramesh to get some scarves for the children, which she wrapped around their faces before the Shop Manager showed the way out through the back door.

By the time Driver Ramesh drove 2006 model Rolls Royce to the back side of the mall. Before leaving the mall Michael Jackson didn't forget to shake hand with the shop manager and say ' Thank you!"

Ramesh remember everything, his eyes filled with tears when talking about his ex-boss. Ramesh 38 was one of Jackson's three personal drivers when he lived in Bahrain for a year from 2005 till 2006.

When MJ's funeral took place in Los Angels, Millions of fans who watched it all around the globe, there was grief stricken Ramesh's family in Kerala, one of the southern states in India. Tearful Ramesh couldn’t control his bereavement, as he looked at his kid, who was holding tightly the doll that MJ had gifted!

Like all those thousands of critics, who only knows about Michael Jackson's wired attitude and dance steps, saw other side of MJ only when King of Pop's daughter cried and referred Michael Jackson as "a best daddy in the world" at the funeral function. That was in fact a light into MJ's personal life; the critics were amazed to know about the pop icon's humanitarian face, personal life, and struggle.

Ramesh didn't know much about MJ's celebrity status and how big he was, though he was aware of his popularity, songs and dances. MJ directly interviewed him with his Secretary and Manager.

"He was so kind and very friendly with all of us, He told me that I could be free with him and could share our joys and sorrows with him. Jackson's children Prince, Paris and Blanket also lived with him" Ramesh recalled fondly.

Ramesh Stayed in on the job till Jackson and his family left Bahrain at the end of 2006. The Showbiz's most brightest and mercurial star never forgot his driver even after he left Bahrain.

"Even after he left Bahrain, he called me twice. The last call came when he wished me Happy New Year in 2007" Said Ramesh who currently working as a shop keeper in Bahrain and is home on leave.

Tuesday night was tough for Ramesh. The family gathered around the television set to bid adieu to the former boss, who was revered as much as he was reviled, as his funeral was broadcast alive to millions around the world.

"My son Tanuj was holding a few toys that Jackson gave me for him just before he left Bahrain. All of us watched TV and we were sad. I can't believe he is no more," Ramesh said, remembering how the strange star covered his face every time he stepped out with his children.

"If you meet my former boss you will be wondering is this the man in all sort of controversies? I never believed anything came in news papers and TV channels against him and I am not going to believe it either, those spiteful yellow tabloids who tarnished the image of this very good human, let alone his celebrity status, will be questioned by god tomorrow!" Ramesh's words got caught in grief and broken.