For me and you - Part 4

The bullet is ready. Its shining, looks as good as new. Noone could have done a better job. Mani called me in the morning telling me that he was gonna fire 'er up today evening and I just had to be there to see it happening. I am now standing in the garage, where mani is putting some final touch to the wires.

"have a go old man, give her a nice kick to bring her to life"

Now i ve not really taken to him calling me an old man. I mean i am old, but i dont wanted to be reminded of that fact from everyone in my life. And, i dont think i have it in me to start the bullet. Its an art form that you learn over the years and I ve not had my touch for atleast 10 years now.

"No mani, you start it. I ll need more practice to get it fired up."

And now he uses the kicker in the time honoured technique and gives it an almighty kick. Silence. Another Kick. Silence. Another kick. It roars to life. Sounds absolutely magical. I am overcome with joy now. I can feel tears running down my cheeks and i rush to compose myself. But this is an ethereal feeling.

"so, why did you do all this?"

"huh?"

"Why did you get this bike ready? you ve been here every evening, you ve not disputed one of my bills, its cost you a bomb to fix the bike, why did you do all this?"

Mani has this habit of not beating about the bush and coming straight to the point. I had just taken the bullet out for a ride around and felt so good doing it. I just came into his shop again a couple of minutes ago and now he has asked me this. And somehow, i feel like telling him about it all.

"I knew it! Old man, you ve gone crazy. Do you know what it takes to get to Leh? the amount of fitness? the amount of danger? do you think its childs play to go there?"

"Mani, I am doing it for my own satisfaction. My family is not yet sure i m gonna do this. But i am. I have been training for the last one month with exercise and walks. I dont want to do it in a rush. I m in no hurry."

"You can not be serious! You are gonna kill yourself. I ve lost so many friends and customers of mine due to a misplaced sense of adventure. Think carefully about it."

I m sitting on the counter in the kitchen while anjali is baking a cake in the oven. For whom, the cake is being made, i dont know, cos i dont eat cake at all and the kids arent here anymore. Maybe its just her way of filling her empty space. I brought the bullet home today and took anjali out for a ride. And instantly, i felt time turning back 30 years. Two people in love with each other, riding into the sunset. After having a whale of a time, We came back and I now sit at the counter looking at her while she is indulging in her hobby with a song on her lips.

"I m riding to leh, Anjali."

The song stops. there is complete silence. I think i can hear the dough in the oven turning itself over. And then she starts crying. little sobs.

"I ve lost, subbu. you win. I cant make you change your mind at all. I cant change my concern over your safety. I cant take that you will risk life and limb to make one dream of yours come true. But i ve never seen you this obstinate about anything. You win."

There is a clear line that separates a dream from an all consuming passion. And this was what I was engulfed in now. Anjali can sense whats going through my mind and i feel really sorry looking at her with her tears streaming down her face. But she will come around, because after all, I owe her all my happiness and this one would be no different.

to be continued..