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Though I was busy in my own world, Mr.Driver's words brought me back to the present... I thought for sometime... And then I replied, "Let's go to dadar... "
And he nodded... We both got in the taxi...it again started riding the roads... some known.. Some unknown...probably this was day which I had imagined...dreamt... And that's the thing about dreams... Some day when you find your dreams getting fulfilled, you feel like its not true...
I was fascinated by the way he shifted between the gears... was he a race car driver in disguise??
"Where'd I have to drive you to, in dadar?? ", he asked.... "Navjeevan society apartment, located close to Dadar station ...first of all, let's go there and then I will guide you...!! ", I replied... He said nothing... He is kindà mysterious... As if it might take me a lifetime to discover... But as his thoughts were getting on my nerves I sublimated my thoughts .. I avoided... I started to take pictures of outside scenario... This city fascinated me...and I wanted to capture whatever was possible for me... I wanted its depiction in pictures... You know pictures are beautiful memories...they never change...unless damaged...uhhh... accidentally... And probably that is the thing about pictures... Because sometimes, changes hurt... But having pictures, they won't hurt, but just let a smile bloom on your face...
The distance between borivali and dadar is quite evident...and as time passed I fell asleep even without knowing.. When we reached dadar station, he woke me up... Probably he was surprised to find me sleeping backseat... And then I guided him to Navjeevan society... Actually I came here to meet someone very close to me... And as I was destined to leave this city forever, it was a must to meet him... He was my motivator... my guide... my mentor...Mr. Devnarayan Singh...
And you really need someone who guides you to your destined path...probably he was my Hagrid..(Hagrid is professor in Harry Potter series).
I rung the bell... And after some time, the door opened..."Oh my god, seriously, is that you, Divya, my child!".... Still generous and glowing face which depicted noble essence... Retirement has never let him to down... Still firm and gracious person was what I found... He warmly welcomed me with a hug... By the time his wife arrived... And she looked surprised to see me after quite some time... I had not visited my loved ones ...as myself... and she tried to make ourselves comfortable on sofa... professor was surprised to find a guy...Mr. driver... with me...
And thinking he might be with me as my camera man or something like my friend, he let him inside without interrogating...
We all sat comfortably...
"So, my child, you came after a really ...long time...!!", I heard Mrs.Singh quoting me... she took a pause before saying 'long', she did emphasize too...
"Common stuff nowadays, you know how much she is busy in her work... You can't expect her to come here often... ", Dev sir said before I could say something...
"So Divya, what's going on?? How are you?? And anything important??", Dev sir asked... "Nothing much sir.. I'm moving from here... I'm going somewhere forever... I might not be coming often back, probably...uhhh...most probably...so I have taken this day off to meet all my close people...", I lied to him for first time in my life...
But he gave me a suspicious look.. He first looked at me and then Mr. driver...and before he could have asked me something I was already knowing what he is going to ask...
"Are you marrying him?? I mean to say, you are moving forever... But as far as I know your family lives here.. Your job is here.. So, uhhh, a guess... are you guys going to marry??"...he was pointing at Mr.driver... And his wife added "Probably that's why she brought him here to meet us... He seems to be a nice guy with decent personality, but a bit shy... please be comfortable(pointing at Deepak)..."
And Dev sir started laughing.. And I found Mr. driver looking at me... giving me the "What the hell" type of look... It was second time for which someone misunderstood us... Was there really something between us for which such thoughts came to other people's mind??, I wondered... I told them, "He is just driving me for today...he is my taxi driver..."
"Okay... I thought we would be able to see your children soon... ", Mrs.Singh said pretending to look disappointed... And my face turned awfully red.. And they all started laughing... And even Mr. driver was laughing... He could laugh... Shocking moment huh...
And then I chatted with the professor for some time... And Mrs.Singh asked me to help her with lunch... Though I hesitated, she convinced me...also we didn't eat much in the morning ... So we both went into kitchen to cook some lunch...
And they both were sitting in hall... They continued with the talks ...and we could still hear their chats...
And what happened there in the next few moments left me completely amazed and surprised... I was taken aback...
"So, what's your name, son?? "
"Its Deepak sharma professor...!! "
"Sweet name ... But I wonder if you really are a taxi driver... I mean your personality seems different... It doesn't depict what you do!!", professor asked him curiously...
He replied smiling, "I'm not a taxi driver, sir... I'm an automobile engineer... I'm just driving Ms. Divya for today!!"
And this statement set the three of us frozen...Oh my god... Mr.taxi driver is an engineer..."
"Sorry, I beg your pardon... seriously?? then why are you driving taxi... uhhhmm . ..Any problem my son?? ", professor asked him in an assuring manner...
"Not much problems, professor...actually, after completing my engineering, I wanted to venture into my own firm... I wanted to become an entrepreneur.. I wanted to develop my own cars... Yet regular jobs won't be offering those things..but my family condition was not that good... So I decided why not to start from the beginning... So I gathered funds...few from relatives and few from the bank and started with a travel agency... And with hard work, my agency grew and now we have more taxis along with two garages. I also spend my time working on my own models.. And if everything went well then within one year, I would be manufacturing my own vehicles in partnership with a big company..."
Freak.... He is not a common guy like others... I knew there is something mysterious about him.. And I just discovered something about him...yet I was sure he has got something more...
"Wow... So I am amazed...very few dare to do what they dream... Dreams do come true.. But they need you to be obsessed with them... Everyone wish to earn for living... No one tries to live the earned life.... And I'm happy for you followed your dreams... Not the mob... But why are you driving Divya today... I mean you would have asked someone under you... working for your agency...you may have asked them to this work..?? Or you also drive along with them?? ", professor asked him awkwardly...
Though I felt like I too wanted to ask him the same question... So it drew my attention particularly...
"Actually, I had shortage of workers... Many of them had taken leaves for today and those who came were already occupied with a task... And besides, more often, I also drive.. Because when I started I wasn't having any drivers... But things have changed now.. And Ms.Divya is my sister's friend.. She personally asked me to make necessary arrangements when she knew that their is no driver available.... So I decided to take the charge myself.. I too, wasn't that busy today ..", he told professor...
And I was expressionless... I felt like being hit by a thunderstorm... yet I felt thankful to sunita for whatever she did for me...
You never know who the some person is... And you can never judge someone based on what they are doing presently... Everyone has a part which not everyone is aware of...
with recent conversation of Deepak with professor I was relieved... but what for??
Just because he is not a simple taxi driver?? Or because I found him a way more than what he looked??
Why is he so irresistible.??
Me and Mrs.singh were cooking... And they kept talking...
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YOU ARE READING
"THE LAST TAXI RIDE"
Teen FictionHave you seen a bird? It dreams to roam throughout her life doing everything which feel her adventurous. Divya sen was the same. Though to support her family she have to go for job. Later In a world full of competition she was one of leading Journal...