Miles to Marvel Part 3

‘Why not me?’ Sunaina had given me enough reason to ponder. Her trip was very appealing but Siddhartha’s head started popping whenever I thought of going with it.

Enough of the thinking, it’s either a yes or no from him. Who knows? Maybe he is okay with it.

I dialled Siddhartha’s number. I had this weird fear that he might say no, I thought of keeping the phone but too late.

‘Rishi! Hi dude! How are you?’

‘I am good Sid, what’s happening?’

‘Listen Rishi, I got big news to tell’ he said in a very enthusiastic tone. At least one of us was doing well.

‘Say na, I am all ears’ I

‘I am officially engaged!’

‘What? Sondarya?’

Sondarya Shetty was Siddhartha’s girlfriend, they had been together for five years. I knew someday something will happen but I had no idea that this was the day. Plus, I still lost my stag friend.

‘Who else! Happened this evening. And you are the first one to know’

‘Congratulations man!I am very happy for you both. She is a lucky girl’

‘Thanks man and one more thing, remember Sunaina, my Canada uncle’s daughter?’

‘Yeah I do infact..’

‘So she is going for some road trip stuff alone. I was thinking if you could just accompany her too! I know its on short notice but instead of any random friend of hers I would want you to go, I trust you man’

‘Actually she already asked me. I was thinking of declining her offer’

‘Oh, that was fast! But don’t be crazy, go and have fun. You need it bro! And watch it, she can be very frivolous with her ideas. But I know you will handle’

‘I will. Now, looks like I have to pack a few bags!’

‘Enjoy bro’

Best friend’s approval, check. I texted Sunaina about my confirmation. She texted back within a seconds time. I opened my almirah and grabbed my clothes. I have never packed my stuff in such hurry. While taking out my clothes I also found an envelope, it was sent by my mother a  month ago. I opened it and found the least expected item given to current circumstances, money! I counted, a total of twenty thousand rupees.

Believe it or not, my mother still gives me an allowance, I had totally forgotten about it. ‘Well, money does find its way to reach you’. It was enough for the trip, as it is we were on a shoestring budget. Just a matter of ten hours and I will be miles away from this busy city. The thought of it gave me peace. But the thought of travelling with a girl, with whom in the past I had just spent fifteen hours max seemed crazy. “Why not you?” Why not you Rishi! Usually I feel good about myself but in these few days I have felt like a complete loser and my ex-boss’s kind words, an asshole. Like she said ‘It’s okay if life gets tough for a while’ but I really hope that while, doesn’t become forever.

Packing didn’t take much time though searching for my camera took more time than estimated. Where the hell did I keep it! And there it was lying at the bottom shelf. I checked the kitchen for some eatables, none to be found. It was too late for me to go and fetch some snacks and c’mon I am just a guest, she is the host. It’s her duty.

When nothing to do, sleep. In my dream I saw myself gazing at the sunset. Like in those typical road-trip movies, where they park their car at a cliff and marvel the sunset. However, the dream shifted to a nightmare. I saw myself, Natasha and my ex-boss. I wanted to wake up that very moment. Luckily, the alarm started to beep. I opened my eyes and checked the time, 6:30 AM. Within half an hour I got ready, I decided to wear my travelling khaki pants and the ‘Bob Maar Le’ print T-shirt.   

After completing all the necessary chores, I informed my neighbour about my travel plans. An auto waited just outside my apartment building. All was going well. Sunaina texted me the exact location at the same time. Since it was early in the morning, the auto reached her place within twenty minutes. ‘Look for the black CRV’ she wrote. I did find a CRV and that too a black one. Someone was even leaning on it. Wait, that someone was waving. Holy shit! I thought.

That someone had been none other than Sunaina herself! But she wasn’t the same. She had transformed from a delicate eyed girl to a near punk. Her hair were cut to a very short length. She had put lots of kohl in her eyes and had got piercing done on her nose and lip. In short, she looked horrific. ‘I am not travelling with such a mad looking person!’ I really wanted to run from that place. But it was too late. I really didn’t feel good about this trip, I was in fact scared of her now. ‘All set?’ she asked

‘What did you do to yourself?’ I cried

‘Don’t worry, its temporary. I will be back to normal when we reach Bombay’

‘That's five days. You would travel everywhere like this?’  I am sure she felt the bitterness in my words.

‘You got a problem?’ she said in a heavy attitude tone.

I wanted to nod my head in approval but instead ‘No, not at all. It is a reforming trip right!’

We kept the luggage inside the car. At exactly eight o'clock, we left the premises of HSR layout.

‘So where to?’ I asked

‘Mangalore, we will be taking NH 48. It is 328 km from Bangalore. I think we will be there by three in the afternoon’

‘What is there in Mangalore?’

‘A temple’

I stared at her, looking for better answers.

‘What?’ she asked

‘We are travelling for fun or for pilgrimage?’

‘Relax, you will know when you get there’

‘I hate to break this to you  but the temple authorities wouldn’t allow you inside with this get-up’

She gave me a look ‘I will manage’ she said.

We drove out of city and reached the National Highway. The traffic seemed be to just fine. Sunaina was a good driver, basically above average according to female standards.

‘Listen, I might have problem driving at hills and rocky terrain. Can you handle that?’ she said

‘Oh did I mention, I don’t know how to drive’

‘WHAT!?’ she yelled.

‘Just kidding, yes I will handle the crisis’

‘Thank god! You should get some sleep. I will drive till mid-way, then you take over’

‘Okay partner’

I sat at the back seat, made myself comfortable and within minutes slept.