Racing at midnight

January 22, 1215am
Place – Trivandrum

I am screaming at the hotel receptionist, “It is impossible for me to sleep with all this construction work going on at this hour. I did not pay 1500 bucks to stay awake all night.”
Now, folks in hospitality business are supposed to be hospitable. They usually don’t lose their cool and try really hard to keep their guests happy. Unfortunately for me, this guy is different. All he says is, “Sir, the banging will last one hour more.” This is the last straw. I decide that I would rather drive back to Cochin than put up with this ruckus.
After settling the bill (and giving the hotel management a piece of my mind) I hit the road. It is half an hour past midnight. I feel as if I have just proved a point. But as usual, the voice at the back of my head says, " You will regret this dumbo." i start driving, hoping to prove it wrong.

As I start, a scene from “The Blues Brothers” comes to my mind.

Elwood: It's a 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it!




Encouraging, but not exactly the same scenario. I’m alone. I’m feeling sleepy cos I’ve just been rudely woken out of a deep slumber. And I’m pissed off.
The first 60kms till Kollam pass off smoothly. Suddenly I find myself dozing off and I snap back just in time to avoid smashing head-on with a truck. I am seriously thinking of stopping and spending the night in the car, when another Alto zooms past me as if I am stationary, when I’m actually doing close to a 100 clicks.
As usual, I feel hurt. I usually respect more powerful cars and avoid taking them on when they pass me. But I get slightly irritated when the M800s, Altos, Santros and Indicas do it to me. Tonight, i'm furious. I start pursuing the Alto. I’m fully awake now. My velocity climbs steadily as I close the gap. I touch 140km by the time I’m within striking distance. He sees me – doesn’t want me to have it easy. The machines are the equally matched. It boils down to the men and both of us refuse to be bogged down, with each repeatedly passing the other. The game continues till Alleppey when coincidentally, both of us decide to stop at the same place for a break. I realise that the past 80 km have been covered in 65 minutes.
I get out to order a “chaayaa” and light up a Kings. He does the same. I see that he’s also traveling alone. We make eye contact. We size up each other. Finally, he acknowledges my driving with a nod of his head towards my car. I return the compliment. No words are spoken.
After the break, both return to our cars. I wish for the game to continue as Cochin is still 50km away. But I realize that the pulsating game has just ended in a draw. It would be an insult to continue afer knowing the result.
It is 330am when I reach home and hit the sack.
I feel good..On the road, nothing is more satisfying than racing a stranger who is willing to take the challenge.