As I was finishing up an experiment, it was around 4.30 a.m. on a Sunday. Physically, I was winding up things, but mentally, I was elsewhere. I remembered the days when I used to excitedly wake up around this time, pack a bag and set off on a short bike ride. Weekends were days of burning fuel. I was wondering why things were not the same as before. I could hear a roar from inside me.
I quickly left the lab and realised the wind was cold. I raced to my room to grab a jacket and a helmet but then slowed down a little. I wanted it like old times. So I wore a skull cap and then a helmet, got in my track pants, zipped up my sweatshirt and left. I was so desperate to hit the road. I could still hear the roar from within, a bit louder this time.
Off I drove on to the road! The traffic was catching up; mostly heavy trucks. I whizzed past them all, not caring for my lungs as I inhaled a few full breaths of black smoke. My goal was important. On the way, I stopped by a small tiffin centre. There were already so many bikers there, clad in leather jackets and kneecaps and gloves. As I parked my bike, most of them were staring at me. Perhaps the way I was dressed? Or my style while unmounting my beast? Maintaining your swag was pretty important for this business. I could not let anyone overtake me just because they thought I was tiny. The roar was getting louder. So much so that one could hear it from beside me.
Time was of the essence. I barged in through the crowd and ordered a plate of idly and dosa. Even before the dosa was prepared, I finished the idlies. People were still looking at me. Did they hear my roars? The skull cap was still on my head and I was still maintaining the swag. The cook respectfully handed me the masala dosa and I finished it off within 3 minutes. Without wasting any more time, I walked out and got on my bike. Four guys eating there were all looking at me as I started my bike. I 'vroom'ed the engine to justify all the looks and the swag. I paused for a second to introspect. The roaring had stopped. I came back to my room and slept. So much for the midnight hunger and the moving gas in my empty stomach. Wait... what were you thinking?
