Life A Great Leveler

Today as I left office I took the normal route which I generally take to come back home. Cause of the NCR thing it is never going back home for me. But the drive back was different.

Before I start off with what I realized, I want to explain in detail the drive back and then we will talk about how life is a great leveler.

I started off from office then I took the bypass road and as I was driving by I came across a 4 way intersection. A new Volkswagon Vento (Folks-waa-gun for dummies) was indicating to take an U-turn and as I am a true blue desi and I cannot let him pass me, me and my car honked and sped past him in a great rush. If my wife was pregnant only then it would have been justified but then....

I drive up straight and I head towards the toll plaza. Five hundred meters in advance I start scanning for booths which are empty so that I can carry on with the need for speed mode. I choose a booth which has only one car heading out and the next booths have 2 cars each. The vento comes and stands at the next booth. The guy in front of me steps on the gas at a higher gear and his car stalls. I am stuck and the vento guy moves by.

I kept sneaking up to check was he looking at me? Was he pissed that I didn't let him pass by? but he was at peace, he was not driving fast and he did not give a shit as to who the fuck I was. He got through the toll and was gone for a while . When I finally managed to get past the booth I drove at my scariest best ( a few of my friends can vouch how life threatening it seems at times). I caught up with him and before the toll was over I took the lead.

Similarly there was a jam ahead and I scanned the traffic again and tried to identify the best spot. That guy was stuck in the worst spot possible(extreme left) alongwith a borderline dirt road and he still moved past me and I didnt see him again.

When I did catch up with him I had to turn right for my home and he went straight for whatever work he was out for.

What I realized is everyone has an inherent luck, everyone has an inherent pace. Who are we to stop someone? Divert someone?

I tried everything but he still managed to beat me, not because he was trying to beat me but cause he did not want to. He was driving towards his destination and that's what his goal was. In life we are jealous of our peers cause of there acheivements and we sulk and burn. But are they jealous of someone too? Or are they following the path they chose for themselves?

At the end I had to cut the chase and take a right turn for my home. So everyone has different goals set for themselves, our race is with ourselves, we are our own judge and jury. In trying to defeat a brand new Vento I missed all the other cars, scooters, bikes and buses I left behind? Was this drive worth it? Yes it was... It taught me what I am just writing.

From now on I set my own goals.

And, another lesson learnt.... DO NOT RACE WITH A NEW CAR.

PS. Note to Abhik Da, if I fuck the editing on this too. I will send rough drafts to you before I post :D