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.