Zip Zap Zoom - 2

Image Courtesy : maxim303 on Flickr, check usage terms before using the image.

Remember last Zip Zap Zoom post? Well nothing rogue like that this time around, but a funny incident from streets of Indian capital, New Delhi.

Well on August 07 '2007 me and my friend were out again, like we often are after dinner. On his scooter we left for the nearby street food place, where he binged upon Burgers and then we were off to have Mango shake (something we consider an important part of our health regime!). Done with all this, now we were back on city streets.

After riding slowly for sometime we decided to go to a major city artery, just to pass over the flyover he likes. Looking at the airplanes in the sky (which were taking off and landing at a nearby international airport, as Delhi gets a major share of its international air traffic at night.) we were enjoying our ride at a comfortable speed of 50-60 kmph. Passing over the over-bridge we were discussing our way back and things like how air planes look great in between light clouds.

After zipping past the flyover we took a U-turn from under the next bridge, which is meant to take traffic across a railway line, and came back to the same street but this time to go back to home. Halfway on the bridge we were enjoying the picturesque lights and night traffic, full with heavy vehicles and call centre cabs, when a horn from behind alarmed us. to give him way we increased the speed of scooter we were riding and changed lane. But to our surprise the guy was tailgating us and honking continuously. We naturally were a bit afraid because of recent road rage incidents in city, but keeping calm slowed down and looked back to find a Sardar in his late 20s following us on his cruiser Bullet.

He increased the speed of his bike and came beside us to have a conversation. "Where is the helmet?", he popped the question. Nilabh replied that, "We have not got it, it is at home". To which he argued, "What it is doing at home? Studying (probably recognizing that we are students) or what?". Again Nilabh replied, "Yeah am studying", misunderstanding him. The Sardar, by now determined to make us realise the importance of helmet, argued with us for accepting his words and promising to use helmet next time. Ultimately, for nothing else but to get rid of this conversation we promised him the same. Now satisfied he again increased speed of his bike to zip pass us. After he left we realised that we had come far ahead of the place we had to turn from...

So the moral of the incident: Wear helmet, whenever you are on a two wheeler or else be prepared to be advised by a wise, knowledgeable Sardar.