The Biking family - II (By Mark Bradshaw)

The trip to the dam upset Aparna a lot. She kept pondering, why doesn't my hubby ganesh not recognize safe driving at all:-(. Do I always have to drive fast to prove that I am a good driver. What did I do to deserve this bullock cart tag? This is too much for me. What do I do?

This is after all a modern era where information is available at the click ofa mouse. As she was pondering, she was going about
her daily chores. People would stare at her wherever she went. After all, many were yet to come to terms with a saree clad woman driving. This irked her even more. Here is an entire town looking at me when I drive with a saree. My man doesn't care about this novelty. How often do you a see this on the road? This is wrong. Suddenly, her eyes latched onto something on the road. She said, wow this girl looks cool and young!! She later went back home and was immersed in thought.

From then on she started planning for a mega surprise. The whole episode had to be planned in total secrecy. After all secrecy is part of any surprise. She was an avid stock trader and had made significant money during the boom time and saved it up in her bank. Being a conservative investor she withdrew major sums before the boom became a bust.

One fine morning she asked Ganesh. Honey, do you mind if I pick you up from work today. Why dont you go by bus instead of our car. Ganesh thought she might need the car for some chores and hence agreed. As always he left on time and it was business as usual.

While Ganesh was at work, Aparna called up and said she wanted to pick him up early. He hastily made arrangements at work and got ready on time. While she waited at the lobby he just came down to meet her. The security guard was looking at her as though she was from another planet. He was wondering what was wrong with this security guard. After all, a lady wearing a blue silk saree isn't something to be stared at in India. But then he shrugged it off and walked with his wife. He assumed that his car would be there at the parking lot. But then, he saw something that he never expected.

Aparna had pulled off the greatest surprise by buying a twin spark
thunderbird 500cc. She had assiduously saved up and traded in her
Libero. Ganesh was awestruck. Startved of words to describe his surprise, he just gave a big kiss to Aparna and hugged her in the glare of all his colleagues. All the weird expressions shown by the security guard made sense to him. People who passed by just wanted to get photographed with Aparna and her t-bird. Why not? After all how often do you see a saree clad lady riding a bullet in India.

The wife drove her hubby backhome. Wherever they went, the traffic would stop and leave way for the lady. Definitely everybody leaves way for the bullet. Ganesh suddenly remembered the statement bullock cart. Today the bullock cart became a bullet cart. Will he ever regret the statement?