Ajay’s Shocking Saturday Part II

Devi & Ajay reached home by 12.30pm on their new Pulsar. In a span of 2 hours, lots of changes have happened in the mindset of Ajay regarding his mother. He switched on the TV while Devi started to cook lunch for them. Ajay could hear the sound of their Tata Safari – his father Deepak has come. Since it was a Saturday, he came soon. Ajay went into Deepak’s room as soon as Deepak entered his room & he started narrating the whole story to his father. But Deepak did not show any great reaction. Seeing this Ajay asked, “Papa, are you not amazed at moma’s talent? I still couldn’t believe it”.  Deepak replied calmly,”My dear son, I know about her very well – What you have seen today is only a small sample!”

“What??? Is this a sample……”

“What do you mean Papa?”

Deepak quickly changed his dress and sat on the bed. “Come here Ajay, I will tell you the whole story”. With great excitement, Ajay sat on the bed along with his father. Deepak started narrating his flashback:

“I was 26 working in a small scale industry. Due to a dark incident in my mother’s life, my mother & father were very much concerned about me. As you know I was the only child who survived after losing 2 of my brothers in their childhood itself. My father used to accompany me where ever I go. What I all know was just studies & work. My parents did not even teach me to ride a bicycle fearing that something would happen to me.

At this stage, they wanted me to marry a brave girl who can take care of me in all the ways for the rest of my life. After searching many alliances, we came across the daughter of an ex-police officer. She was your mother Devi. I still remember the day when we went to her home for the first time. We were all talking about various things to her parents, but she was not there. I was eagerly waiting to see her. Her father told that she has gone to a Karate class – not as a student, but as a master. She was Black belt II dan at that age itself. Suddenly the sound of a heavy Royal Enfield Bullet was heard, I was peeping through the window to see who it was. A tall muscular girl dressed in a bright blue dupatta was parking the heavy vehicle. It was none other than Devi.

 

When I was watching this, a servant in their house came screaming, “Snake, snake……” I was shocked, I shut my eyes and caught hold of my father. Devi’s father rushed outside to see what it is. With lots of fear, I was the last to come out to see the unbelievable scene of my life. Devi was holding that snake which was about 1 metre long and threw it away like throwing a stone. Though I admired her bravery, I was more scared when I thought that I am going to marry her. Then all the usual customs got over in their house, but I did not get a chance to talk with her. Both our families were happy with the alliance and agreed to start on the marriage work.

At that point, her father exclaimed, “Devi, why don’t you take Deepak for a ride tomorrow?”. I was delighted as well as scared to hear this. She also agreed to it with my parents’ permission. My father gave my office address so that she could pick me up the next day.

 

Next day, I was awaiting for that wonderful 5 O’ clock  - my office got over, I know that it was going to be my first ride with a girl, that too with my fiancée – in a jumbo bullet, I have never sat in that bike before. Devi arrived in time, she was dressed in a light pink salwar. On seeing me at the gate, she exclaimed,”Hi Deepak”. I was nervous, so I did not even smile and just told a mild Hi. My parents had told everything about me to her, so she knows that she needs to play a role more than a wife after our marriage. With a charming smile, she asked me to sit on the bike. Getting all my confidence, I managed to sit. She asked, “Shall we?” for which I gave a stuttering reply of Yes.

 

I did not even ask her where she was going. She was an awesome driver with complete control of the mighty bike. She went to a park where we talked for about 2 hours to understand each other. Then while we were returning, we were to cross a nasty road. There was not much light in the street. Suddenly there was a jerk, I completely fell on her catching her waist. It was a speed breaker which she did not notice. I was very embarrassed on my act, I felt guilty about it and asked sorry to her. But she was quick to respond, “Its’ all right honey, why are you worried? I am going to be your wife”. That reply of her gave me a lot of relief, I started feeling that I was near a caring soul. There were subsequent speed breakers, but I was no more worried about them.

 

Some days went in the similar fashion. She used to pick me up in the office after her karate class. We would chat for some time, then she will drop me at home. One day, there was a sudden union problem in our company. Workers started fighting badly. First they were just talking, then they started using sticks and stones. I was very afraid of the situation as I was never exposed to violence right from my childhood. Somehow I managed to escape from the fight and reached the gate, but people were fighting even there. Police was not informed on this as the management feared that it would affect the company’s reputation. Outside the gate, one of the fighter threw a stone on my head, I was bleeding badly. Before I could regain my senses, a heavy stick stuck my legs & I fell down. Then I regained my consciousness, but I could not walk  - suddenly one man frightened to hit at me with a bar. I was helpless. When the bar was supposed to hit me, I could see a hand stopping that and throwing the bar away with a powerful push.

 The man was astonished. It was Devi who came to pick me up. She caught his hand tightly for about a minute – what a powerful hold from a strong karate woman! He screamed for life and ran away from the place. There were few others trying to hit me, but on seeing Devi’s terrific eyes, they withdrew. Then she lifted me gently with her hands and took me to the bike. She told “Just lie on me honey, I will take you to the hospital soon”. I placed my head on her shoulders, kept my hands around her waist with the confidence that I have got the shelter of the right person in my life. She drove the bike carefully not to disturb me, then we reached the nearby hospital and I was treated. I was in the bed for a week with my sweet darling taking care of me completely.  I was completely convinced that I got the right partner in all aspects.

 

Then we married as per the plans, I resigned my job and got a new job. But my office was far away, so transportation was a problem to me. Then we bought a Hero Honda 100cc bike. Devi use to drop me at office daily. One day when we were returning from office, it was raining heavily. But we did not have any umbrella or raincoat. We could not stop anywhere for shelter also. So we kept riding in the rain. I was feeling very cold, Devi told me ”Hold me honey, you will feel better. the wind is very bad. We will reach home soon”. Her white salwar was completely wet in the rain and so was my pant & shirt. Then I holded her tightly with lot more confidence than I did the first time. It was a great feeling to hold my special lady in a majestic bike on a rainy ride.

 

As days went on, she got pregnant, so she was not very comfortable in riding bikes – so I learnt biking from her and rode it on my own. After that, you were born and then we sold the bike and bought a car. Now, I thought that she should ride again and that’s why I bought the Pulsar for her.”

 

When Deepak was completing the story, they heard, “Lunch is ready dears” –it was Devi from the kitchen. Ajay was much more shocked now, his respect for his mom further increased and he still could not believe whether he was dreaming all these.

 

On the highway

The clock ticked up 5.30 in the evening at Karthik’s home. It was a busy scene as everyone in the family was getting ready to attend a marriage reception. Karthik’s father Ram just came out of the bathroom after a nice bath – he has got his shervani ready which he is going to wear to the function. Karthik’s mother Gayathri was busy wearing her saree in the room. Karthik, a 20 year old boy, in his black cargos and stone wash shirt was already in the hall waiting for his parents. Ram came next in his attractive black & white  shervani. Both of them knew that Gayathri will take some time as she has lots to do in her costumes – saree, anklets, bangles, chains, rings etc.Finally at 06.10, the lady, who is now in her 40s, came out of the room. 

She is a tall (taller than Karthik & Ram) healthy woman. She wore a chiffon bright coloured floral printed saree which had a combination of black & red. She asked Karthik to check if all the windows were closed as a last minute check. The family will usually take their majestic blue colored Enticer bike for the functions where all 3 of them have to attend.  It is Gayathri who usually rides it though Ram also knows to ride it. Ram predominantly uses his Hero Honda Passion to go to office. He bought this Enticer especially for his wife as she is an expert in riding all those heavy bikes and also she loves to ride them. But today Gayathri told Ram that he has to ride the bike as she will be wearing a saree. Ram has not ridden the bike very often and moreover riding 2 people was not comfortable to him. But today he had no other option.

All 3 of them got out of their house with Ram holding the key of the Enticer. He tried to start the bike with enormous fears whether he will be able to drive.  Karthik stood behind him while Gayathri was locking the gate. It was 06.20pm. Even after trying 4 or 5 times, Karthik was not able to get hold of the vehicle as he was not able to start and even if he had started, when he applied the first gear it got off. He lost all the confidence. They have to reach the function hall by 07.00pm. As their home was in an inner suburb, getting a bus or auto is also very difficult. The only way is to go by a vehicle – but they can’t take his Passion as 3 people can’t ride in it. At this juncture, Ram told Gayathri, ”Gayu, I am sorry ma – I am afraid, I am not even able to move this giant – it looks so huge to me”. She replied, ”Try again Ram, we are running late – it will take 50 minutes to reach there on the highway, it’s already 06.25”. 

Getting some confidence, he tried again – this time it started!!! he caught hold of the clutch…. A slight smile on his face….  applied the first gear…. “Oh! My holy God” came the next reaction from Karthik as it got switched off once again. He was fed up with his father’s attempts. Ram was at the end of his world, with great hesitation, he told, “Gayu darling, can you try?” The reply came swiftly, “I told you know that I can’t drive in saree, why don’t you understand?”. Ram in a slow voice replied, “But we have no time and it’s not clicking for me”. Then understanding the importance of time, she asked him to get down – she sat on the jumbo bike after adjusting her saree to make her comfortable – she was able to start in the second kick as she was well used to it. Then she told “Can you take on from here Ram?” But he replied  ”No… no… darling – you are the best person for it, not me” – she agreed half-heartedly considering the constraints. Karthik sat behind her and then Ram sat at the last. As Gayathri was having a long hair, it was disturbing Karthik  as the space was less and he has to crunch between his mom & dad. He gave certain signs of disturbance – Gayathri, a clever mother understood it quickly and asked ”Is my hair disturbing you Karthik?”. With some hesitation, he told “Not… not… really mama, but yes I cannot sit”. Then she immediately took her long hair & tied up to her head with the help of a hair pin. “Are you OK now”. “Yes moma” was the reply. She asked ”Can we start Ram?” Ram with much more relieved mood said, “Sure, darling”.

The gorgeous lady on her attractive back & red saree pressed the clutch with her strong fingers that had cute nails with rose coloured nail polish – she was also wearing lot of bangles and rings on her hands. The bike started to move on – it was 06.30. They have to take the route of a National highway which was known for its heavy vehicles. People on the road watched them with some broad eyes as it was a very rare scene – a strong lady in a cute saree driving a macho Enticer with 2 big men at the back of her.

Gayathri was a composed driver who was calm at most times unlike Ram who used to stutter at busy roads and heavy bikes – that’s why he rides his Passion only to his office which is just a few kilometers from their home in the suburb area itself. They were almost nearing the venue - Ram was thinking of the time, there was a sudden blush…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Sudden brake… …………….Both Karthik & Ram closed their eyes tightly. Karthik holded his mother’s waist firmly – Ram was lying on Karthik. When they opened their eyes, they saw a big brick lorry in front of their vehicle which came at around 90 from a side street without any horns. Gayathri, an expert in these roads, was quick to apply the brakes with her energetic legs. A few words were exchanged between her & the lorry driver as she was scolding him. The driver remarked “Why do you ladies come to drive such big vehicles… that too in saree” though he was the person who came without any warnings.  Then there was another voice “Idiot, you came wrongly, why are you scolding her?” – it was another lady Divya who was riding her black metallic TVS Apache with a man behind in the pillion. She was lady of 30 years dressed in a white-light blue salwar kameez. Yet another voice came “Don’t you nasty drivers have horn? shall we call the police?” – this was Baljeet Singh, a 50 year old man on his big Bullet. The lorry driver knew that he made the mistake, so he did not stay there long and hence left immediately. Baljeet Singh was in all praise for Gayathri, “Superb show beti – at such a speed on this highway any other driver could have run into an accident –you had a marvelous control. I am so proud of you”. She thanked him for the compliment after which he took another lane on his way to a dhaba.  Divya  also left after having a few words. Ram witnessing all these was thinking, “I would have definitely died today if I had rode the vehicle. What a control she has!!!!”

Karthik caught his mom’s waist again and told “You are the best moma, it was so thrilling”. Karthik exclaimed “It was simply unbelievable darling – you have saved our lives. Love you so much!!!” With all the praise, the brave Gayathri started the bike again in a single stroke – adjusted her costume slightly and started away. Now she knew that she can also drive well wearing a heavy saree.

Ajay’s Shocking Saturday

It was yet another boring Saturday for Ajay - the 17 year old boy who was still lying in his bed lazily at 08.15 am His mother Devi came to his room and asked him to get up. But he was not willing, partly because he was lazy & partly because he never gave great respect to his mother. She was a house wife from his childhood doing all the household works like a maid servant- so he always felt that she was fit only for that and he knew more than her. Then she told that she has got a surprise for him today. Still he was not interested. Somehow she got him out of the bed and made him ready. Ajay’s father had already left to office in their white Tata Safari. 

Devi quickly finished all the household works and got herself ready. Ajay was not even bothered of the surprise because he knew that his poor mom can’t do anything to surprise him. By 09.15, they were ready – Ajay was dressed in a blue jean-black shirt. Devi wore an attractive orange colored salwar kameez. Devi locked the main door as they stepped out. Ajay told with a bold face “I can’t walk even a bit moma. Let us catch an auto”. With no reaction, she silently showed her fingers towards the vehicle standing inside their compound. It was a black Pulsar 220cc bike – brand new standing in great style. Ajay was stunned on seeing that as he has not seen it before. Then Devi told that they just bought that yesterday when Ajay went to school. As he came late in the evening, he did not notice that and his parents also did not tell him as they wanted to give him a surprise.

Seeing the new vehicle, he wanted to have a ride. He screamed “Oh my God, dad will come only in the evening. I have to wait till then for a great ride. Alas, at least I should have learnt to ride bikes at this age” There awaited a great shock for him. Devi told, “Why do you want to wait till evening enoo, I will take you on a ride now” Ajay was speechless – he was slightly hesitant also - he never know his mom could ride bikes and moreover he always had somewhat low esteem on his mother as he thought she was not much exposed to the outside world. His father was always a great hero to him. When he was thinking, Devi had already started the macho machine with a strong kick from her leg. She called “Come on Ajay, lets go”

He quickly rushed to the bike and sat behind her with great hesitation along with fear of whether she would at least know how to push such a heavy bike. But he could not open his mouth. Devi cross tied her dupatta and quickly engaged the gears – the bike started to move with Ajay completely out of this world. Slowly he came to know that his mother was not a novice in bike riding as she had a perfect balance at all moments. But Ajay was still puzzled. Before he could get back his thoughts right, Devi stopped the Pulsar at a Kali temple near their area. She bought some flowers – half of which she kept on her head and took the rest to the temple. They got down and went inside the temple. After deeparadhana, the temple priest gave them kumkum as the prashadam. Devi first applied the kukkum to her mangalsutra, then to her forehead and then applied it to Ajay who was still in shock.

Then on her request, the priest showed the aradhana to the new vehicle. Then Devi got to the vehicle, gave a smart kick and asked Ajay to sit. Even now, he was not sure of her riding skills – he sat as a pillion maintaining a considerable distance from his mom and placing his hand on his own laps.  He was not even interested to place his arms on his mother doubting her efficiency. Then with great difficulty he asked her ”M…M…M… Mom, how how do you know to ride such a heavy vehicle”

Devi replied with a slight smile “I ride bikes from my school days enoo – you know the big bullet which grandfather (Devi’s father) had ”. Ajay quickly replied “Yes Yes”. “I used to ride that and in fact I was the one who taught bike riding to dad also”

This was still more shocking to Ajay. Then she explained ”When we got married, papa was not having any bike and he also does not know to ride it as he never had a chance. But then he was finding it difficult when he was going to a distant office. Then I told the idea of bike, first he feared – then we bought a Hero Honda 100cc with me riding him to office daily. After some time, I taught him to drive and he became a skilled driver ”  Then Ajay asked “But I have never seen you drive” for which she told ”Yes, after you got conceived I left driving, then eventually we sold the bike and then papa bought a car – so I just left like that”

When Ajay was trying to digest the story, Devi drove the bike inside a petrol bunk on the busy main road. She asked Ajay to get down & wait near the entrance of the bunk so that she could fill petrol and pick him up. Ajay went to the entrance & was admiring the way in which his so-called poor mom handled the Pulsar, moved it gently with her legs, opened the fuel tank, asked the operator to fill the petrol, had a close eye at the filling meter, handed over the money to him and then closed the tank. On seeing these, he slowly gained faith on her driving skills. They started from the bunk on the main road. It was a very busy road with vehicles cruising at great speeds. But Devi was driving steadily at 40. 

There was a lorry on one of their sides and a tempo on the other. Initially they were going well, but the middle aged drivers of the lorry & the van, on seeing a lady of 38 years majestically driving a 220cc black Pulsar, wanted to show some heroism to her. They suddenly started cornering her, reducing her speed & concentration along with some frequent mockery words. The competition was getting tougher as Devi did not react much. But Ajay was feeling the heat, he told her “Moma – we shall slow down and leave them first”. She replied ”Enoo, just hold my waist gripply – don’t do anything else”. Though he was hesitant to do that as he has never done that before, now he had no other choice. So with great hesitation, he holded his mother’s waist tighly and bent on her back placing his head on her shoulders. The next moment the speedometer rushed from 40 to 110 in a few seconds – Ajay was spellbound and so was the mockery drivers. Devi was far ahead of the two vehicles in lavishing style.  Now Ajay completely believed that his mother was a great driver – he know that neither his father nor many other men could that in such a busy road. All his low esteem towards her completely disappeared. He held her much more tightly with some tears in his eyes and told “I am so… so.. sorry moma. I did not give respect to you. Will you forgive me?” Devi with her own motherly grace replied “You are always my darling enoo, I will never mistake you” Then Ajay with a slender voice told: “I love you so much moma…  I love you so much”. She replied calmly ”Me too darling”.