Car
drives from Hyderabad to Bangalore and back seems like happened more frequently
in my life than the number of times I go for groceries or any other small
domestic errands. I paid so many tolls on this highway that I can even remember
few faces behind the booths. The villages that pass by, the flowery-shrub
plantation in the median of road, the crops road side, huge wind mill farms
near Penukonda, the over-crowded Kurnool town flowing in to the high way, the
cluster of Dashmesh dhabas from Kurnool till Ananthapur, have all got etched in
to my mind. With my 1 year old enthusiastic kid ‘Gunnu,’ part of all my
drives now, the inside of the car sure changed to exciting, but the outside
still comforts me with familiarity.
In
my last trip, midway through my journey, when all of us in car decided for a
pit stop, I started searching for a Dashmesh Dhaba towards my left. The special
tea at these Dhabas is just wonderful.
Though
it was 4 pm, the Sun was at his unusual best pushing mercury through the skies.
I worried that when we stop for refreshing, our car could get heated up and it
would be uncomfortable for ‘Gunnu’ when we get back in to car. Most of these
road side dhabas don’t have shaded parking.
When
we finally found a Dashmesh, I noticed a huge container truck parked. The truck
was monstrous supported by nearly 60 wheels, and container can easily hide 10
sedans. But more than the truck, the shade that it created caught my attention
more. In a smooth curve, I drove off the road in to the truck's shade, smiling at my
luck.
We
ordered that ‘special tea’ for all of us. Even when slurping, I could not help
keep noticing the truck if is still in place giving shade. I scanned through
the Dhaba for signs of the truck driver and if he is around also check what he
is eating – so I can quickly calculate the time for this pit stop. My intention
is to leave before he leaves so car does not get heated up. The truck was
registered to Punjab state, so I thought to myself, that man or truck driver
would most probably be a bearded man and if the truck is coming from such a
long distance he must be a seasoned driver; should not be tough to identify.
But, I could not find anyone near tables who fits my description.
As we
were almost done with special tea, maybe in 5 minutes we should be leaving and still
there is no sign of Driver neither in the Dhaba nor anywhere near truck. The car can be in shade until we leave and I
could resist smiling aloud at my luck. Aroma became curious about me smiling
and sheepishly looking all around. I explained her about the truck, the shade, the
search, and the luck. ‘Heights’ she said smiling.
All
of sudden, my mom unaware of these complex calculations, declared that she is
hungry and needs to eat something more. Aroma responded quickly. She took the
menu and instead of just light snacks, she ordered few rotis, 2 curries and a dal.
Before I could comprehend what happened, I saw a smart, young, thick bearded man
walking swiftly towards the truck from nowhere.
The
next moment when I heard the truck roar, I realized that my luck changed in the
last few seconds. I felt miserable and looked at others. They all seemed to be
unaware of my misery. My mother seemed contempt just by the elaborate food order
and was talking to Aroma. Gunnu was excited playing with the paper napkins.
Without
too much thinking, I ran towards the truck and stopped it before it slipped in
to first gear. The young driver looked puzzled. I took a moment to catch up
with breath, showed him my car, the shade, and requested him if he could wait
for another 15 minutes before he takes off on this long journey again. The young
driver smiled graciously and said “chalega” and turned off the engine. I
thanked him whole heartedly, came back to Dhaba for a 2nd special
tea.
Aroma
looked at me puzzled. I explained my achievement with some sense of
accomplishment and pride expecting a little pat on the back.
But
Aroma got irritated instantaneously “what are you doing V? You are so lost in
your thoughts you could not even think about that truck person. Can’t you even realize
how much tired that poor driver would be after driving thousands and thousands of
miles and here you are, asking him to slow down for the sake of your son? No one
is going to die here with some heat and Gunnu can handle this. At least think
before you act. Please don’t take everyone for granted. Have basic courtesy
towards people irrespective who they are.” By the time she finished she seemed hotter
than the Sun. Though my little sense of accomplishment evaporated, I could not
relate to her and wondered why she lost her temper so suddenly. After all I did
this for her and Gunnu. My mom was still in her contempt – ordered for curd.
Next
10 to 15 minutes passed in some nasty silence. Aroma did not even look at me
and was playing with Gunnu. Mom finally finished eating and gave out a happy
burp. She seemed the only one who was happy, even more than Gunnu.
I
paid the bill after buying two large water bottles, and told aroma to calm her
down “Why you think I can’t relate? Of course I will thank him. He had been
very kind and these water bottles are courtesy for me to give”. She nodded
quietly. As we all moved towards car, the driver saw us coming and climbed in
to the truck. He asked with the same gracious smile, “Can we start now sir?” I thanked
him for his courtesy and offered him two bottles of water telling that he may
need them in his journey ahead. To my surprise, he politely declined saying he
has enough water and told me back to keep them as I have a kid in my journey. I
insisted him to take and it was my courtesy as he waited for me upon my
request. The young driver smiled saying it was not a big help and just a small gesture.
He took one bottle just to not say no, and drove off on to highway.
When
I reached car with one bottle in hand, Aroma who had been watching all of this
intently smiled declaring peace. I let out a small sigh but that little gesture
from the truck driver dwelled deep in to me.
Maybe
it really is a small gesture from the truck driver, or maybe I got over
attached with the entire incident (it gets emotional in matters of kids)
- but for years going forward and for many drives ahead on Hyderabad-Bangalore highway
this small incident will be remembered by me and Aroma for sure.
PS - I repent not taking the truck drivers pic for this post :-(
