The cab driver wore dark aviators at night. To cut the glare he explained when I did inquire. Was brought up in Aligarh. Went to Lucknow a few days back and had Tunde kebabs with friends. Problem with Delhi kebabs is that they mixed all kinds of meat and use too much cornflour; unlike Lucknow’s pure meaty delicacy. He wasn’t too old; was 26. He had met many people, drawn experiences from them. Been open to them. Met gays and lesbians. Didn’t take a stand against them. Tried to understand their problem. But yes, when he did form judgement it was always correct.
Once he met a girl, Deepali was it?…a bone marrow researcher. Such a fine level in a profession. Oh what was my name by the way? Ok, Malvika. So, he asked the researcher her date of birth and immediately predicted that she and her fiancé would part. But how could he be so certain she asked him. He just knew it he said. Yes, she said, it is true that I have been having second thoughts. My mother was in the hospital and my fiancé didn’t come down to see her. Why should he, the cab driver asked and warned her beforehand to plan a different life for herself.
So he was in Aligarh first, where his family had a business. In what? Milk. But unfortunately it shut down and he went to Delhi. Lived near Turkman gate. Worked in a call centre. Sold SIM cards to Americans and Canadians over phone. His father expired. He then joined Wimpys, selling Burgers. Made a friend there. That friend went on to become a top traffic official in Connaught Place. He couldn't follow suit due to strict height requirements. But still, no one ever gives him a ticket in the area. Everyone knows him. Dude, the day your guys give me a ticket, he said to the traffic cop, I will take you by the scruff of your neck and ask you to peek into your own soul. But Wimpys was no fun and he left, though he drew good experience from there as well.
What to do next? He did the Himalayan Rally, racing his car from Chandigarh to Manali, doing 120 kmph on the mountain roads. Many of his competitors veered off cliffs. His partner was just there to say left or right. They didn’t sleep for two days. They had started the race after downing two pegs. At the end of it, they lost only by a few points. Very able guys beat them to it in the toughest and most fatal rally of the world. Suddenly he was struck by pointlessness. I am not the best, he told himself. And tried to come to terms with it. He had ranked 8. Though he didn't win, he made a name for himself. One day, someone said there is money in driving. So here I am. Driving. When I first had this car I took it to 150 kmph on the Gurgaon road. I said to Mr Antonio, a racing guy in this cab company, give me your car and she will do 300 kmph. They said “How can we control you? We can’t even call or SMS you in case your concentration breaks during speeding and you break your neck.”
You people in advertising are admirable. I appreciate you a lot. How do you do it? No, I am not talking about the hours; just your broad mindedness. So much in life. But you know, after a while one gets tired of all this. The appetite goes. I have met so many people but I am not married till now.
And ma’am, how about you? What did you do in Lucknow?
