A SHORT DRIVE

“Ohh we’re going to be so late… I’m going to be in deep shit with Prerana.”

“Hello, you’re the one who insisted on that complicated outfit this morning. Right here, no?”

We were sat at the signal, and from the corner of my eye, I saw the sun visor come down, foundation come out, and a blending sponge followed the liquid, as she furiously dabbed the foundation into place. My distraction cost us a couple precious seconds where I fumbled my phone as the signal turned.

“Uh- yeah! Yes – here onto – “

“Hang on”

The car swerved right, almost into the oncoming traffic that was inching forward from the opposite side, ready to zip away, as we made a clean arc and sped up the highway. My stomach leapt up to my throat when we hit a hump and were briefly airborne. The tires grumbled back at us when we made contact with the asphalt, and I’m pretty sure I left nail marks on the side of my seat.

“Okay, left at the signal here and let me know when we need to turn”

“Uh huh”

The signal thankfully turned red as we approached, and as I turned to make conversation, I saw the foundation replaced by a quick swipe of lipstick, followed by another swipe of lip gloss.

Before I could say the signal changed, we heard an impatient honk from behind and the lip gloss disappeared into the depths of the tiny vanity bag between us as the car jolted forward.

“Right on 2^nd street”

“Got it – how are we for time?”

“We’re doing great”

“Right, but what’s the time?”

“I’m telling you; we’re doing ama- left at the steel gate with the plants. And uh, if it’s alright, I’d like to be alive for when we get there.”

“Fine, fine. Geez”

The left was thankfully peaceful, and I admired very briefly someone’s gerbera’s that stood tall with its blooms. We slowed down as the streets got narrower and narrower, and were halfway to our goal when we came to a dead stop behind a parked taxi.

“Anna, what is this?”

A couple of honks and the taxi inched ahead, just enough for us to get by. But not without some gesturing and gesticulating about the amount of space that was available to us.

“You should see the main road in a bit”

“Left or right?”

“Uh… left then right apparently. One sec”

I was aware of the buildings and splotches of greenery zipping past us, despite the time I was taking to decipher what this app was trying to tell us to do. No rest for the wicked, I guess.

“I see the main road”

“Uhh, is there a roundabout?”

“Roundabout? Ah, looks like something’s there…?”

“So, it’s basically a right, but like, around that thing.”

“Cool, cool.”

As we approached the ambiguously shaped separator on the road, I looked at the strange amalgamation of what I presumed was copper and stone that came together in the form of children… playing maybe?

“I’m not sure I can appreciate these weird statues of children that have been coming up lately.”

“Hm? Oh YUCK. Yeah, Ugly! I don’t know why the city doesn’t just stick to floral displays and bushes and stuff.”

“Easier to maintain maybe? I dunno.”

“Eh. If they wanted to, they would.”

At the signal that up ahead, a stick of kajal came out and my sister completed her transformation, or at least I hoped so, for my own peace of mind. My silent pleas went out the window when she tilted the rearview mirror in her direction.

“Tch. I need to get a highlighter or something for my eyebags.”

 “You don’t have any eyebags…”

“Mm, I think I need to blend this edge a bit more”

“What? It looks fine! I can’t tell what you’re talking about and NO ONE is leaning in that close.”

There was a brief silence as the blender made a reappearance and took away whatever imperfections or cracks were supposedly present.

“I assume so anyway”

“It’s supposed to be here somewhere, right?”

“Um, yeah, we turn left here and in another 500 meters we’ll be there.”

 I felt the turn more than I saw it and, in a flash, we cleared the gates and parked up. Relief washed over me as I tumbled out the car and, on my hands, and knees thanked the earth for allowing us to make it alive.

“What are you doing?”

“Thanking Bhoomi for helping me survive this harrowing journey”

“Hey I got you here okay, with -”

I took her helping hand and stood, dusting myself off as she practically shooed me to the side entrance.

“- 20 minutes to spare. So there.”

 “Not arguing that, not sure my soul made it is all.”

“Ha-ha, very funny. Now hurry up – wait. You didn’t do your face. Sit here”

“I don’t have time for this- “

“And you’re going to look ridiculous onstage without it. The camera will make your skin look TERRIBLE. But if you want that… fine.”

I grumbled and sat on the closest bench, eyes closed and my sister did who knows what to me. My skin felt heavier and stiffer than I liked, and after I first pursed my lips, an urge to chew my lip took root, which got harder to resist with each second that passed.

“Are we-”

“Done! I’m done, let’s get you where you need to be!”

We took off from the bench, and after some confusion, passes flashed, and greetings exchanged, I was in the loving care of my mentor Prerana. Who gave me a rather tough look after glancing at her watch.

“Indian flexible time with you always. You’re on time at least, we have a half hour till your set.”

She gave me an amused look as I practically melted in joy and relief. My sister patted me on the back and I gave her a smile.

“Thanks you!”

We shared an awkward hug before I disappeared into the green room for the show. The next few hours passed in a blur, and the elation that followed me off the stage and out the hall evaporated when I was confronted once more by my sister’s car.

“Oi! There you are. Let’s go.”

“Uh- I’ll take my chances walking”

“Listen, don’t be ridiculous, come on”

My sister grabbed my shirt collar when I attempted to slink away from her.

“Bhoomi save me!”

“What is this drama. You think you’ll survive walking with these other drivers on the road?”

She gave me that look she usually does with a raised eyebrow and I knew she was right. I sighed and trudged to the passenger seat and strapped myself in as my sister hopped in the driver’s seat.

“You sure I can’t drive?”

“When you get your own car. I’ve seen your driving, and I like my car”

“Hey! That’s mean!!”

“Yeah, yeah. Buckle up.”

I offered one last prayer to Bhoomi as my sister hit the gas. At least we’ll make it home, right?

Copyright © Anjali Shibu 2015. All rights reserved.