He wasn’t sure why he had stopped for a Starbucks coffee on an island rest stop on the interstate. Perhaps he needed further convincing that Starbucks coffee was always served lukewarm and overrated or rather because after driving 200 odd miles on maddeningly straight roads his bored legs needed a stretch.
David also wasn’t sure why his brain ran a muck on a rest stop or why he occupied himself with people watching. That day, he chose a couple that sat right opposite him; An Indian pair, an easy target.
The man was in his late twenties. He could have been fairly active in his younger days but now his torso spoke of a different present. May be he tried, hitting the treadmill once a month or playing a spot of tennis. But clearly, he was on his way out to a couch sitting physique. David also noticed the stubble on the man’s face. Perhaps, the guy was convincing himself of how the stubble made him look sharper. Facial hair sadly did nothing to hide his bloated cheeks. David quickly moved to the clothes and winced when he saw an “express” logo on the man’s shirt. Would he have to start shopping somewhere else? David wondered. Beyond shirt lay a pair of denims and the quintessential sneakers. A while pair of Nike’s. David convinced himself that the man must have got them from the dark forgotten sections of JC Penny or something equally paltry.
The girl was no better either. She had long given up on extensive grooming or well concealed make up. Her hair was not styled to say the least. But then again, they were travelling, David checked himself. Yet, her ill fitting denims and an uncomfortable top irked him. He was convinced that given a choice, she would much rather be in a warmer India, wearing even more clothes. She seemed aloof, bored and tired. Thinking when she would get home to turn on satellite TV and watch regional channels. The man wasn’t looking at her but his eyes darted everywhere else. David wondered, is he thinking of his green card or immigration status woes?
They finished their respective breaks together and walked out towards their car. He watched them walk hand in hand towards their 1999 silver Honda accord, with steel wheels nevertheless.
So with a smirk, he got in his car. Turned the ignition to fire up the rev counters, 200 horses and a navigation screen; progressed his puma clad feet to the floor mounted accelerator. He stashed his iphone in a cubby hole and eased back on the highway before the couple pulled out of their spot.
Of course, his smirk lasted no time at all. Because he knew that when he would get home, 165 miles later, there would be no one waiting for him. That he would fix his own dinner. Watch mind numbing football, and retire to his queen sized bed alone on the left side. Devoid of any body warmth; Devoid of any dark black trusses to sink into; And devoid of worrying where his left arm would go had he someone to hold.
His only respite that night as he fought himself to bed was that at least he did not have to worry about driving a 100k mile old 1999 Honda Accord, with steel wheels.
Excellent post, Dush.. but then again, is it only important that you have someone to hold – what’s to say the Indian pair are happy together.. from David’s point of view they are just together… right? Its all about priorities…
Btw, what car does David drive?
jasmine: You seem to liking the morose posts more! I would be careful if I were you.
The clue that settled that question was the walking hand in hand part. It is more then a gesture.
David drives many cars. It all depends on what David is that day. But his daily driver is a black 2006 Acura TSX, which ironically is only a Honda Accord in Europe.
Judging people on what they drive or wear. “watch regional channels”. Since when did David become so shallow?
(Someone who saw a reflection of himself in David)
David isn’t shallow. But David is fiercely competitive. Even competing against those who don’t wish to compete. Competing to win, even when the price of victory is steeper than the toll of failure.
Someone who doesn’t want to be David, but probably has no option.
Ajay: Sadly, David too has difficult times. And one should be careful when they arent shallow. Our measure of depth’s might differ…
Anon: You hit the nail on the head. How you did so with respect to this post is beyond me.
You know D, we are always doing this. There is a classic drama artist in each one of us, that takes the foreground every now and then that likes to dramatise, dissect and glorify the things / situations we could have / dont have / should have. But really, its no big deal. Each of our lives are just ‘perfect’ the way it is. Its our perception thats ridden with imperfection if anything.
Each one of us, have everything we ever wanted and in the process of getting what we want.
I can see David rationalizing his near future (though i am sure at his worst he’d still do much better than a “100k mile old 1999 Honda Accord, with steel wheels”…)…looks like David’s given in to the realization that he might hear the sound of bells soon..!!
On a more,serious note, if i were David, i’d worry equally about the fact that “The man wasn’t looking at her but his eyes darted everywhere else”..i am sure there would be more to it than just the green card or immigration status woes….
Like David though,I keep giving myself enough reasons to not yet give in to the ready made dinner and the helpful shoulder..:)
hey nice post – granted thats not the point of the post but whats with the “she would much rather be in a warmer India, wearing even more clothes” … there seems to be some gap in current Indian dressing sense there…
I know so many David’s -it’s not funny.
Dk: Now if only I can follow your perfect advice in reality. It was very well put, so that should make it easy?
Mukund: When you run out of reasons, let me know
Komal: Thanks. All I meant with teh clothing is that despite the hot summers I dont see all women jump readily into cotton tank tops…
Avanti: Even knowing one makes it a tragedy