It was time for the old star to step aside. Fit as he felt, he had to give way to the new hunk who was to make his debut. The new star had arrived all the way from Calcutta and stood proudly on the porch of Sylee Tea factory, all sleek and shining. The new “hero to be” was welcomed with an auspicious coconut and garlanded with bright yellow marigold.
The onlookers gushed on and about the new arrival. From the bada saab to the chota saabs, khalasies and pluckers, each one was entranced by the modern demeanour. Yet, there was one, for whom this was no less than a betrayal. Dilip – the driver, had been driving his dependable old lorry for over twenty years. He addressed the kal saab, “saab, these new generation vehicles can’t be trusted. They should have never got this.”
Inder dismissed him, “this is fast and furious! A treat not only to the eyes but also a blessing for mother earth as compared to that antique you call a lorry!”
“Saab, that lorry is a part of my own soul now.”
“Come on Dilip! You cannot drive that caveman tool belching out smoke anymore. We will go for a test drive together,” Inder tried cajoling him.
Dilip’s eyes were sad but he acquiesced. The date for the threesome was set that afternoon.
Saying a silent prayer, Dilip climbed the passenger seat as Inder admired the controls of the state of the art truck. He ran his hands on the steering wheel and turned on the ignition. Finally, it was time for the test drive. Releasing the clutch, he accelerated as smooth as butter.
Inder shifted gear after another while simultaneously explaining Dilip the basics of the new gearbox system. Inder noticed a little spark starting to return to Dilip’s eyes as the sweet breeze made its way through the window. The fluorescent bushes of Saylee and Meenglas tea gardens whizzed past them. They drove upslope towards Ambiok TG, the mighty mountains framing their view. Cool shade trees swaying on either side of the perfect black slopes welcomed them into Lava. “It’s your turn now Dilip,” ordered the kal saab as he began to slow down.
Admiring the last sun rays of the day kissing the treetops, as the greens and purples melted into greys, Inder and Dilip switched places. The light had now drained away; barely enough to cast shadows. Switching on the headlights of the lorry, they noticed the dense layer of clouds giving the air a tincture they knew was associated with a storm.
The rain came in an orchestrated rhythm, appearing as the master of the scene, yet arriving on an unheard cue. The weather gave a surging rise to Inder’s heart – calling upon the childish sense of adventurous joy within. Inder let his thoughts wander off, digging two “Morton” toffees from the pocket of his shorts. He offered one to Dilip and another he began to swirl around in his mouth.
The road was now desolate and Inder encouraged Dilip to engage overdrive. Hesitantly, he complied. For a few moments, it slipped out of Inder’s mind that they were in a truck. He felt the crisp air comb through his hair as he extended his palm out of the window to catch a raindrop. He snapped back to reality as the vehicle approached a turning and Dilip swerved. Alas! It was too late. Inder slammed the non-existent brakes below his passenger seat while screaming at the driver to slow down. He held on to the dashboard for dear life.
The front tyre veered off the road and bumped into the boulders. The metal of the lorry groaned like a wounded beast and then ever so slowly rolled into the storm drain of Gorubathan forest. Misbalanced, the truck managed to find its footing, lodged between the road and the drain. All was silent.
Inder pushed open his door and inspected the scene. Thankfully, the body of the lorry was unscathed, except for one of the headlights which had shattered into tiny slivers. He called out “Dilip!” but to no avail. Fearing the worst, Inder rushed to the driver’s door to make sure that he hadn’t been pinned inside. He pulled the door sharply and it gave way; only to find Dilip clutching the steering wheel, with his eyes shut as his hands wrapped around his head. Inder addressed him in an urgent tone but Dilip seemed to be in a state of shock. Pulling open the door, Inder clasped the driver’s wrist and drew him out. Dilip still dazed, sat mute on the rough patch of the grass staring into nothingness.
Finally, he said, “saab, I should never have betrayed my lorry.”
“Nonsense! You just need to get accustomed to the gears and their speeds,” Inder reprimanded.
With some pushing and shoving, they managed to get the vehicle back on the road. Inder quickly took the passenger seat, leaving Dilip no choice. Nervously, he took to the wheel while Inder talked him through it. They reached the factory, expecting an earful from their bada saab. Luckily, they got away with a mild warning and concern for their safety!
At the end of the day, Dilip accepted the new star as a part of his family and regained his confidence through all the adventures and comraderies of Inder and his bada saab.
Glossary:
Bada saab: Estate manager
Chota saab: Assistant Manager
Khalasies: Navigators
Kal saab: Factory Assistant