Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Z is for... Zen with my Zen


I started driving a car in the year 2004 and began an adventurous journey. Although I love my life in all its glory and don’t regret a single moment, I have to say my years with a car were the best years of my life.

You see, I started dating the Boy in the same year, and without a car, I don’t know how I would have managed to romance him. His college was in the outskirts of the city separated from my B-school by 25 kilometres. The journey involved driving alongside enormous trucks, and deceiving cows, my parents, and the college guard - not in the same order. I must say, with great finesse, I made the trip several times the result of which is a successful 11-year old marriage. *winks*

This red Zen was initially bought for my sister-in-law, but I, in a not-so-dramatic way, snatched the keys to my freedom from her. The two years that I was in college, we could have made a Saas-bahu saga in my house with me being the crafty nanad. I strategized a lot when it came to taking the car with me, and she, poor thing, just let me be. Also, she was the sole secret-keeper of my story with the Boy and was terrified of being an accomplice to my crime in front of the entire family. I guess her strategy to let me be with the Boy so that I can get married to him sooner worked well too. She now owns every key in the house.

My B-school adventures would have been dull without my red Zen. Apart from driving to college, I drove my friends to their homes, restaurants, theatres, Xerox copy places, several corporate offices, hospitals, etc. Hospitals? One fine evening, the Boy met with a massive accident. Now his 10-year-old bike could compete with any bicycle, yet it could not handle a new road on the highway! Imagine! He was admitted and underwent a surgery, I made several visits with my friends to the hospital, and that is how I met his family and his friends. Ah, that story is for another day.

Speaking of accidents, one fine morning I was driving on an empty road. The tape was playing Mahi ve from Kal ho Na ho, my favourite movie of that year. Like my dad on the wheels, I was dancing to the tunes. Suddenly a car, coming from nowhere, crossed the road without looking in my direction. There was a loud noise – from my brakes, the bang and then my heart.

Thankfully no one was hurt, except my poor red Zen. It seemed someone had punched her stomach and she was holding it in from the front. I parked my car in the corner and called my brother. He came with my father and I was driven to my college in another car. I cried after the first class was over, but that was short lived. My dad called me that afternoon telling me that my red Zen will be fine in two days and I can take it again. I loved his assurance which made me confident too.

That red Zen is no longer with us. It was replaced by another red car which is nowhere close to it. I miss it, and I miss driving. I burnt three clutches while driving the red Zen due to inability of switching my legs. We have automatic cars now, but I fear driving. Although Uber makes everything easier, I will never forget those three years with my red Zen – the best there could ever be.

P.S. If you don't want your children to date, don't give them a car/bike. Also, if you don't want your children to have the best years of their lives, don't give them a car/bike. Catch 22, much?

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Today is the last of A2Z. I am thankful to many bloggers who visited my humble blog and gave me the confidence to write fiction. I am my best critique and so I know where I stand, yet I am grateful for your remarks. And even though this AtoZ is over, I'd be visiting all the blogs that I have been reading. You know who you are since you have my comments...big hug! I will also try and visit the blogs that I could not read due to the stress of writing. 

I am hoping for a long journey with the new ones. See you all on the other side!

22 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this piece of your life with us Nisha :) It only made me feel more closer to you :) It's been wonderful to read all your stories in this A2Z challenge and I am so very glad to have discovered you. I will keep sneak peeking for more stories that will make my day :)

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    1. How sweet of you Ira! I trust your words because your writing is so incredible! Keep in touch!

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  2. Aah I love all kinds of love stories. This one had a little bit of your Boy and the car both. Enjoyed your stories through this month.

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    1. Thank you. I am sorry I didn't visit your blog, will definitely visit it now.

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  3. Hush now, don't give that idea to parents. :P I've had my fair share of fun driving the car around with my friends as well. It's been fun reading your stories, Nisha! I enjoyed them quite a lot. Hoping to keep in touch :D

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    1. Parents already know. They have been there, done that!
      Keep in touch, Dashy!

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  4. Coincidentally I have also written about Zen - but not the motorable one. Maybe, you should practice some Zen to get rid of your fear of driving. Congrats for completing the challenge.

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    1. I will keep that in mind! Thank you for reading.

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  5. I remember the red Zen ;-) Incidentally my first car was also zen albiet a golden one...but my fav was the blue Getz..I have beautiful memories attached to it..
    I have loved reading all your fiction, poems and travelogues..And discovering aspects that I was so far unaware of! Much Love Nikki XOXOXO

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    1. Oh, I would love to read about your memories too. I think we both are unaware of many aspects of each others lives owing to the fact that we never really spent any time together. Writing does make me feel closer to you, will look forward to reading more of your amazing, amazing stories!

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  6. I liked your post script!!

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    1. You are back on my blog KP! And you read the punchline :)

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  7. That was a sneak peek in your life Nisha and it was peppy and fresh!
    Congratulations on successful completion of A to Z Challenge. I am glad we connected in the journey.

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  8. Congratulations on successfully completing the A to Z Challenge!
    I thoroughly enjoyed your fictional and non-fictional stories- you are a good storyteller!
    I have never driven but my first boyfriend had a car and that was an immense help in sustaining our relationship for as long as it lasted!
    www.nooranandchawla.com

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    1. Haha.. see, car helps in romance!
      Keep in touch Noor!

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  9. Congratulations on a successful completion Nisha. It was a wonderful run and I enjoyed reading from you immensely.
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  10. That's a stylish exit indeed--zooming out of A to Zee in your red Zen.
    Perhaps that saas/bahu/nanad drama you allude to during your 'zen' days can be your next year's fodder for the A to Z:)

    Congratulations Nisha and well done--enjoyed your fiction immensely.

    Cheers and stay safe and well.

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  11. Wow. I really enjoyed this post. I can understand your attachment with Zen. There are too many memories attached with it. I have a lot to catch up but I promise to come back and read. Congratulations on finishing the A2Z challenge! Kudos to you, AtoZ survivor. :)

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  12. Looks like the motorable Zen provided the emotional Zen. Lovely!
    I am glad that the father didn't the daughter from driving after the accident, unlike what usually happens!
    Congratulations on completing the challenge.

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  13. This is one fine story. Not atypical, but heartwarming all the same. "Zen holds the key." :D

    Belated congratulations on finishing the challenge. Best wishes for your next endeavours.

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Your sweetness makes my day. Gentle criticism will be taken in the right spirit too :)