Road Ways …

 “The world outside is rash, be careful of those trying to push you, you’re good and have confidence in your abilities. Don’t give in” My driving school instructor prepared me, as a mother would warn her son/daughter on the day of joining college.

This was the day that marked my presence among the millions who had graduated from being a pedestrian or a bike rider. My sturdy electric red companion would now let me choose the path and the pace at which I’d want to reach my destination.

With the controls in my hands (and feet), I cruised on the curved road.  The sense of freedom on my first day at the driving seat was interrupted by the red light.

“Be on your toes at the red lights” The words of wisdom from my instructor reverberated in my mind. A few seconds later, I understood why. While I chose to give some rest to the engine, the chauffeurs in other cars chose to keep the fuel burning. Their urge to display the maneuverability of the machines made them creep a few inches ahead in the 30 second halt period.

The moment the light turned green, the vehicles surged ahead to catch up for the thirty seconds loss (was time as precious for everyone on the road?) I happened to put my foot off the clutch too soon, and within microseconds I could hear honks from the queue of vehicles stuck behind mine. I rushed ahead to catch up with the others, trying to compete for ‘road space’.

As I moved ahead just within the speed limit, an Indica behind my car honked indicating, I should move to the left to give way for it to go ahead of me. I wondered why anyone would want to break the traffic rules. I moved left, making sure I don’t hurt my dear car. The taxi sped at double my speed and seconds later we were sharing the zebra crossing at the next traffic light. “What use was the honking !”  the thought crossed my mind.

I encountered traffic moving at a snail’s pace at a flyover. The car behind mine kept a distance of an inch so as to prevent a two wheeler creeping into the space. I was afraid, car might slide back, while shifting from speed zero to the first gear. I managed to pass the ten minutes test.  

The bus standing on my left taking a U- turn with me scared me with its gigantic size. I managed to escape the wrath of the road monster.

A hatchback with a red coloured ‘L’ was moving at a speed of 30kmph refused to give me way to the right, making my honking ineffectual, I comfortably turned my vehicle to the left and overtook it with double the speed. Oh ! The pleasure of outdistancing another ‘peer’ is indescribable !

Indeed, half an hour of ‘real’ driving on the roads is enough to make one learn its ways.