Driver story: First Trip (Foodie Family- TWO )

We started from Antony Sir’s house. After 10 minutes, the driver arrived along with Antony Sir’s mom, Violet. She began giving directions. Eventually, we reached a large, well-maintained apartment that looked grand and orthodox—classy and old-school. Violet took out her phone and made a call.

“We’ve reached your apartment. Waiting in the parking area,” she said.

After a short wait, three young girls walked toward the car. At first, I thought they were coming for a cab. But as they approached, I realized they were part of our group. I quickly got out, opened the door, and greeted them with a welcoming smile. They smiled back.

It was then I remembered why Antony Sir had asked for my driving license and had me send it via WhatsApp.

I opened the boot and helped place their three pieces of luggage inside. The three girls got into the back seat, and Violet sat in the front next to me.

“You guys are always late!” Violet scolded, and then she introduced them.

Maria, 25 years old, is Violet’s daughter. She’s married, and her husband works abroad. She stays near Violet’s place and has a 5-year-old daughter, Angelena, who had already reached Kerala. Maria wore white pajama pants and a yellow top.

Jessica (Jessie), 22, is bold and a bit arrogant. She currently lives with her sister. Violet and Jessie don’t get along well, as Jessie always questions her mom’s ideas. She wore grey track pants, a black baracelle, and a checked shirt.

Divya, 22, is Jessie’s childhood friend. She knows the family very well and often visited during college holidays. She's quiet, cultured, and religious.

I checked the GPS and asked, “Shall we go?”

“Yes,” Violet replied. It was 5:30 PM. The sun was beginning to set, and I began driving at an average speed due to the heavy traffic and the powerful brakes I had to adjust to.

In the backseat, Jessie and Divya whispered about my driving.

Jessie said, “Why is he driving so slow?”

Divya replied, “There’s traffic…”

Jessie scoffed, “We’ll reach only by tomorrow night!” and both laughed.

Meanwhile, Maria called her mother-in-law to ask about Angelena.

“She went with Michael,” the mother-in-law said.

“Why?” Maria asked.

“She loves bike rides. They went to the market. I’ll call once they return. Where are you now?”

“We’ve just started,” Maria said.

“Who’s with you?” she asked.

“My mom, Jessie, and Divya. And yes, we got a driver finally.”

“Be careful on a night journey. Keep someone talking to the driver,” her mother-in-law warned.

“Okay,” Maria replied and ended the call.

Violet had overheard the conversation. “Where’s Angelena?” she asked.

Maria grew annoyed. “She’s with Michael at the market. She hasn’t even spoken to me for two days. Always out somewhere! I’ll teach her a lesson tomorrow.”

Violet added fuel to the fire. “And what is your mother-in-law doing? She should be taking control! You always pamper that girl too much.”

Jessie gave her mom a long stare. Violet noticed and quickly changed the topic.

“How is your father, Divya?”

Divya smiled softly. “He’s better, Aunty.”

Violet encouraged her, “Please take care of him. He did so much to raise you. One day I’ll come visit your home.”

“Sure, ma,” Divya replied politely.

As I kept driving, the traffic worsened. I had to do frequent sudden braking and slow maneuvering.

“It’s so traffic-y,” Violet muttered.

Then Jessie suddenly asked, “How many years have you been driving?”

I sensed the tone and replied sharply, “Over 7 years. I do part-time and freelance driving.”

Maria touched Jessie’s hand and gestured for her to stop talking.

“Why?” Jessie said, reacting. I saw all of this in my mirror but stayed silent and focused on driving.

We stopped at a fuel station. I got out to refuel. Inside the car, Jessie began arguing.

“I’m going to drive now.”

Maria pleaded, “Please, be quiet.”

Violet intervened, asking Maria to keep her calm. “It’s not easy in this traffic!”

Jessie snapped back. “You know my driving. I told Antony I’d drive, but he didn’t trust me. Bloody mother-son duo!”

Divya stayed silent, not wanting to be involved in family drama.

After paying for the fuel, I returned. Jessie turned to me and said, “I’m going to drive. Any problem?”

I looked around and calmly said, “No problem.”

Maria tried to diffuse it. “Brother, she’s just asking. Don’t take it seriously. You please drive.”

I started the car and moved to a tyre pressure check stop. I suspected an issue with the rear left tyre and checked again. Violet grumbled, “Why do you keep stopping?”

Jessie added, “He doesn’t drive properly. Always stopping!”

I ignored the complaints, checked all the tyres, and asked, “Shall I drive?”

“No, I’ll drive,” Jessie insisted and got out.

Violet, clearly unhappy, moved to the backseat, muttering that no one listens to her. She told me to sit in the front passenger seat.

Jessie asked Divya for her sunglasses. Divya handed them over from the bag. Jessie put them on, looked at herself in the mirror, and confidently started driving.

She moved onto the road smoothly at first, but her driving was aggressive. She changed lanes often, used the horn too much, and didn’t follow traffic rules. She even turned off the car in traffic and couldn't start properly due to poor clutch control.

Horn after horn blasted. She was getting tense. Everyone else was also on edge.

“Calm down,” I said gently. “Don’t worry about the horns. Just follow my instructions.”

I guided her step by step. “Start the car. Half-clutch only. First gear…”

She followed, and the car moved. The road was rough, but after a while, she drove smoothly for 30 km.

Divya received a call from her mom and passed the phone to Violet.

“Don’t worry,” Violet said. “She’s also my daughter. How is your husband? I’ll come visit soon.”

The conversation lightened the mood.

Suddenly, Jessie stopped the car and said, “You can drive now.”

I got back in the driver’s seat. Jessie sat beside me and turned on the MP3 player. The music lightened the air.

It was 6:45 PM.

“I didn’t have my coffee!” Violet yelled. “No wonder I have a headache!”

We stopped at a highway drive-in restaurant. Violet, Maria, and Divya went inside.

Jessie was searching through her bag. She found something and said, “Thank you.”

“Why?” I asked, surprised.

“For helping me out,” she said and gave me a handshake. “I’m Bajini. I’m Jessie. Come, let’s have coffee.”

I locked the car and walked inside with her.