So. I went to Sheikh Sarai to get my licence renewed.π
The all important Window No 1. looked empty from a distance so I increased my speed to a double trot, not believing my good luck.π
Once there, the reason became clear… Starting 26th Dec, all tests were going to be conducted from Sarai Kale Khan π.
When I broke this news to my driver he was shocked…. But that’s so far, he exclaimed.
I would have nothing of it. So off we went in search of this elusive place. Upon reaching I was introduced to a full-blown, complex, complicated course, designed to make you fail!
The instructor incharge was a man of few words..
I will not repeat my instructions, you don’t follow, you can leave. You touch the embankment, you leave. If you cannot make a tight, looped, 8, leave, if you cannot parallel park, you know what to do… I thought in my heart, When do we stay!??
To make matters more interesting, as it happens in India all the time, when there is a high probability of people making a fool of themselves in public, a large group had gathered around the boundary walls of the driving course.. (my driver included πΆ).
Having driven most of my adult life, I was working out my cuts and turns in my head, visualizing amazing grace and dexterity in my every turn π. It didn’t help that the three drivers ahead of me were disqualified for climbing on various embankments π₯ within minutes of each other.
When my turn came, I reached the instructor efficiently… Only to be told,
Seatbelt kaun bandhe Gaa???
Looking suitably shame-faced, I buckled in and tackled the course, with minor hiccups π.
I remembered to give the indicator everytime the road turned, I was neither fast, nor furious (π) just a picture of calm on the outside.
When the result was announced, I felt no less than Miss World!!! I could’ve thrown flying kisses to all the hangers on, who were showing me the ‘thumbs up’ sign ππ
But I didn’t.
I was just glad that I hadn’t failed the test that my son had passed!!