On a Road called LIFE

The newspapers yelled the petrol price hike which kindled not the vehicle engine but multifarious throngs fulminating day in and day out facing upto the central government manifestos which are so unpredictable than the weather outside. Being a mere ‘Common Man’, I located myself on a national highway. I cursed the mankind for finding an alternate egotistic modus operandi cashing in on the nature and drawing a parallel in the polluted winds (that would soon start fining people for not allowing the exhaust into their pulmonary tract) that slapped me hard forgetting behind a black oily patch of dirt all over my face . Sitting in a rickety bus numbered 1c and the huge amount I paid for the 1’’ x 2’’ bit of coloured paper, I sat gazing at the shining head of a man in front, to open up my thoughts for this post to follow…

On the first day, God laid the roads. On the second day He painted the lanes and put up the barricades and on the third day He let his so called “intelligent-creations” play.

#STAGE I

Hail on the road, the new driver, with hallucinations outnumbering the signals on the road. He is blessed with the never-ending green for all his elders to back, who know what is good for him. He solely accelerates and never pauses for anything ahead. Everything is been overseen by the words of wisdom and overdose of oil, evident from the bright ‘L’ on the rear and the front. He has now learnt how to move straight take a simple left and to halt when he guesses danger.

#STAGE II

Our very own new driver is now ready on his home rule on road. The road barricades a few curbs for him but he knows how to get the ways cleared by honking all around. This side is full of fantasies and cajolery, that the traffic puts him on an assay to quiz his curiosity to be cognizant of the traffic decree at the potential max and prove his ace in speeding on the tar. Yet he is run in secret by some hounding that makes certain he is back home safe.

#STAGE III

The now evolved driver is on full go to experiment with everything he finds being veiled away from the main course with onuses heaping behind. His nosiness being racing to discover the undiscovered and carry the responsibilities he has to, as a fellow road user. Then, it is here he he’s put into mega-choices. Two roads diverged in the tarmac, be one traveler long he stalled to choose the path less treaded by. ( courtesy: Robert Frost altered!)  

  

#STAGE IV

Now, it’s epoch for the burning passion to do the wheelie and the spin-skids. But watch out!!! the roads are slippery. He’s been thinking the road is totally free, but unaware that the pedestrians and fellow speeders influence his ride more than his clutch or the break. He falls prey to the mirage ahead and has attempted a jolly hitchhiking movement with the hazard lights ON, which he’ll repent for the days to come in solitude. Jumping the reds and impatient on the green, sometimes sizzled has urged him to carry a spare.

#STAGE V

Having had the experience and coordination perfected over the years, he is now totally poised to face the other hemisphere of the roads, where the roads have changed and the directions too. It’s totally a mess to drive smooth with bumps and unguarded railway crossings. He better fasten his seat belts to avoid any fatal accidents waiting on the road ahead. He has some quick decisions to make - in the red for a fruitful green at the cross roads.

#STAGE VI

Gone are those days of speeding. It’s now a slow tread along the countryside. With many a milestones crossed, and many a bunks paused, driving has now come to shear minimalist. In Shelley’s word, If winter comes, Can spring be far behind? It’s now time to watch to Gen-X do the tricks and he to sit behind and curse his experiences long foreseen. Finally, Destination reached.

“GCT Erangiko”… I get down with the triumph of a racer on the stand. “All the world’s a road”…

STOP… LOOK… GO…

On the track

Gowtham