Friday 13 April 2012

Drive to Work


Ever since I moved to DHI, I travel five kilometres every working day to reach office. Another five kilometres down the Changangkha hills and along the outskirt of the RICB colony, unto the entrance to Kalabazaar and along the ring road takes me back home in the evening.

When I reach home, the first thing I notice is the expectant looks on my sons’ faces. They are looking for clues to decide whether their ‘apa’ is in good mood or bad. I make it a point to smile at the boys and call each one of them by their pet names. Buku still likes to snuggle up to me and hug me. Prateek barely extends a hand.

By then, I find that my wife is looking at me expectantly. Like our boys she is also searching for clues. However, she is interested in finding out whether I have had a good lunch or not. Lunch, away from home, can be rarely good. She offers me tea. I usually ask for some anti-oxidant herbal brew.

It is a little past eight in the morning, when I drop my boys at school and head towards upper Motithang. At the Druk School and Kalabazaar junction, traffic is chaotic. Horns are blaring, men are women are snarling, and children shrieking over nearly being crushed by moving motors.

During the five kilometres, I come across a myriad of human faces, characters and automobiles. My old friend Madan pulls his car window down and displays his ‘doma’ stained teeth. I return the greetings, with my own yellowish green. A red car behind Madan doesn’t quite appreciate this camaraderie in the midst of scowling traffic. He honks. The look on his face says it, ‘I have a much bigger car than yours. Get out of my way’.  I drive on and by the time I hit the RICB junction, the road gets narrower. From the opposite direction, I see a young lady come rushing in her velvet Ford Figo. One of her hands is on the steering wheel, while the index finger of the other is deep in her nose. Yuck!  I thought women didn’t pick nose. At least not young and likeable ones.  200 metres on I see madam Tshewang, the highly efficient and energetic principal of Druk School. I wave at her. As usual she doesn’t see or doesn’t care!

By now I am at the base of the Changangkha lhakhang. It is a steep climb. The Maruti Van taxi in front of me has slowed down. I am forced to lower my gears.  I rev up the engine and trudge along the snaky road until Motithang School comes into view. Now, I am almost there. Traffic gets thinner and the road broader. My Hyundai i20 heaves a sigh of relief. Another drive successfully maneuvered.