Driver story: First Trip (Foodie Family- Three )

 

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Jessie and I went inside. The place was crowded — it looked like a group of college students on a tour. Boys and girls were grouped together, chatting and laughing. Mom, along with Violet, Maria, and Divya, had gone to the restroom and had freshened up.

I asked Mom, “It’s so crowded here. Can’t we go somewhere else?”

Jessie had already gone to the restroom. Divya was the only one who seemed okay with this place — it showed on her face. It felt like both she and Maria were fine with this kind of atmosphere and experience. I wasn’t. I said, “I don’t want anything from here. If you want something, go ahead and eat.”

Just then, Jessie returned. I said, “Alright,” mainly because the table had only four seats. If Jessie sat there, I would be free from this awkward setup. I didn’t even know these people well enough to share a meal with them. So I told them I’d find another table.

But I really had to use the restroom. As I was about to go, Jessie asked, “Do you want anything?”
“Just coffee,” I replied and headed toward the restroom.

After freshening up, I returned and sat at an empty table nearby. The college students were making a lot of noise. All the waiters were running around serving them. Then, a waiter came to our side with a large tray of food. I just sat and watched everything.

The food kept coming — dosa, pongal, vadai, onion roast dosa, and more. My coffee arrived. I drank it, got up, and looked at Jessie. She looked back at me and then at the table. The waiter was still taking more orders.

Violet told Maria, “Remember last time? The food here had such a unique taste — so good.”
Maria agreed and helped herself to some food. She then passed some to Divya. I watched all this happen, and Jessie caught me watching and smiled slightly.

Then I left my cup and stepped out. The same waiter who brought my coffee asked for the bill. Jessie raised her hand to indicate that it was part of their order. I left the restaurant and said, “Okay, the coffee was good.”

There was a small shop next to the hotel. I went in and bought a packet of cigarettes — I’d need them for the night drive — along with some candy, mouth freshener, a water bottle, and some snacks. I opened the car, placed everything in order, adjusted the seat, opened my bag, and took out my lighter.

I realized I had forgotten to bring my body spray. So, I went back to the shop and bought one. I used it, got into the car, and started waiting. I wondered if I should smoke a cigarette, but worried the smell might linger. When I had parked the car, it was 6:44 PM. Now it was 7:30 PM. How long can they take for just a coffee? I thought.

Just then, Antony called.
“Where are you guys?” he asked.
“We stopped at a hotel,” I replied.
“Alright, okay,” he said and hung up.
It felt like he already knew everything.

I got out and went near the side of the shop to smoke. As I took a peaceful drag from my cigarette, I heard a voice. I turned — it was Jessie. She looked at me, and I looked at her. She had come to get a Pepsi.

“What brand is that?” she asked.
“Classic Wills,” I replied.
“What’s your number?” she asked. I told her, and she gave me a missed call.

She quickly went back inside. I finished my cigarette, used the mouth freshener, and sat back in the car listening to music. The others finally came out of the hotel. Mom and Violet brought some snacks along. Everyone got into the car.

It was now 7:50 PM.
Mom said she wanted to go somewhere quickly. She sounded like she was covering up something. Jessie laughed.
Maria said, “You’re the one who made us late!”
Divya joined in with a laugh.

I started the car.

Now I was driving like a pro — smooth, steady at 110 km/h. Everyone was vibing to the music playing in the car. Mom was sitting in the front now. Jessie was singing along. I looked at her through the rear-view mirror — she saw me and smiled. Divya was texting someone. Maria was talking about something that had happened with her husband, Peter. Mom had called her husband and was talking to him too. Jessie didn’t make any calls — she just sat calmly.

I kept an eye on the GPS while driving.
“Do you want some snacks?” Mom asked Maria.
“No, thanks,” Maria replied.
Mom still passed her some.

We passed a bit of traffic. Then Mom got another call and continued talking.

In the back seat, Maria and Divya had dozed off. Jessie was listening to some music, staring peacefully out at the sky. Mom finished her call and tried to wake Maria.
“Maria, Maria,” she called.
“What is it, Mom?”
“Remember we were supposed to buy a saree for your aunt?”
“Oh no! I forgot,” Maria replied.
“So did I,” Mom said.

“What do we do now?” she asked nervously.
“We won’t make it. Everything will be closed by the time we get to Trichy. It’ll take 1.5 hours — maybe 10 to 10:30 PM,” I said.

They began arguing.

Jessie noticed and removed her earphones.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Maria said, “We were supposed to buy a saree for our aunt, but Mom forgot.”
“So what now?” Jessie asked.
“Mom wants to buy it here, but it won’t be as good,” Maria explained.

Jessie looked at Mom and said, “Let’s just go buy it now.”
Then she told me to stop the car.

Mom, a bit annoyed with Maria’s tone, said, “It’s too late. Where will we find a store now?”

Jessie put her earphones back in.

I started driving even faster, picking up speed…