The idiot

Road Trip

Difficult roads often leads to the beautiful destinations.

CHAPTER-33

It was 6'o clock in the morning. My car was parked outside terminal-3 of Delhi international airport. It was not a typical early winter morning in Delhi. Delhi, after a week of above-average temperatures, shivered through which appeared to be its coldest day of the year, the mercury dropped to 8 degree Celsius. But wind chills made it feel more like 4 degree Celsius.

The chilling morning wind was sure to make you shiver no matter how many layers you put on. I rubbed my hands together to warm my fingers. Arjun went to nearby tea stall to get tea for us. Few minutes later Arjun appeared out of the notorious fog with two cups of tea. We waited patiently while sipping our tea for Raghav who was coming to meet us, especially Arjun who was leaving back for US after two days.

Raghav emerged out of the arrival gate with his signature smile. His smile grew wider and wider as he walked towards us. "I missed you guys so much" was the first thing he said. He hugged both of us. We loaded his luggage in my car and headed our way out.

Delhi to Mussorrie was a 300 kms ride by road. Given the condition of weather and roads, I was sure it would take us more than 6 hours to reach Mussorrie. Raghav, who was the most excited of the bunch, went to the back seat to sleep. He was tired as he boarded early morning flight from Mumbai to Delhi.

"I am very excited about our road trip." Raghav said with an enthusiasm of a teenager.

"Me too," I said smiling.

"What?" Arjun shouted in disbelief. Why didn't you tell me that last night when you called?"

"If I would have told you would not have come?"

"No, no, no, no. Stop the car. I can't come along with you."

"What the problem?" Raghav asked Arjun.

Arjun told him what he told me last night. Arjun told Raghav that he had to meet someone today. Raghav was obviously pissed as he had come all the way from Mumbai to meet Arjun. I pitched in and told Raghav that Arjun's mother had finalized few matches for him. His mother apparently wanted him to choose a girl before leaving. She was worried as Arjun's cousin recently surprised everyone at the airport when he arrived with an American girl who later turned out to be his wife.

Raghav let out a whoop of laughter after listening to his story just like I did when Arjun told me it last night. Who would have thought Arjun would settle for arranged marriage?

"I can't believe my mom is looking out for girls for me," said sad looking Arjun.

"Yes. Maybe she should rather look for boys!" Raghav said with a chuckle.

I could not help but laugh. Arjun was obviously getting more pissed off each passing second.

"Okay but why do you want to go to Mussorrie? What's this all about?" Arjun asked frowning.

"Yeah, I wanted to ask that to?" Raghav said looking at me.

"To be honest I have to visit Haridwar to pick my mother," I replied with rather no visible expressions.

"What?? Seriously I can't come," Arjun yelped.

I hit the accelerator to make sure Arjun won't jump out of the running car.

"It will be like 6 long hours in the same car with your mother," he continued.

Raghav was with Arjun in this.

Travelling with my mother for six hours was indeed a big deal. She would get great chance to ask non-stop questions to Arjun and Raghav all the way to Delhi. Are you seeing anyone?