The rPhoenix's altar...!: The Flying Kipper...

I was just like the Flying Kipper a month ago. Flying Kipper, yes. Always alike. But, did so after nearly 1,00,000 Kms+ of driving through these highways and countryside. It finally dawned upon me as to why I should not take it up with the entire family than doing it alone. The decision was made. When my Mom was so concerned and enquired how would I be able to do this, I said, "It is when I am at my worst that I can drive at my best. So, this will be a piece of cake".

Flying Kipper. When you know what it means, you may find it silly. But, for me it was always a desire to be fulfilled. For all those who are lazy to find out what it means, Flying Kipper is the overnight Goods train in Thomas & friends show. Alright, Cartoon show. I have never been on overnight trips yet. All my trips would start early in the morning and end late into the night. But, never a trip that started in the night and went through the night.

We packed. Everything was set. I just sat inside the Punto and tried to bond with the vehicle that would haul us through the night, with all the possible uncertainties and unseen ones too. Yet, if we bond with the vehicle, it would take us through. I tried to be calm. Then, realised that I am a maniac at driving, only when I am totally chaotic and disturbed from the inside. So, would I be safe? Heck. Who cares? My only concern was about all those who would be accompanying me. The family. Immediately, I could sense that my heart, mind, body and soul confirmed with an affirmative 'Military disciplined' Yes.

We started. It was few minutes to midnight. I wanted to leave before the stroke of midnight to avoid any psychological disturbance that would haunt us toward starting exactly at midnight. So, 11:45 P.M, we hit the highway and just as usual, working through the gears, brakes, fluid levels, looking for any unusual noises and stuff, we managed to cross the city limits to stop for the much needed dinner break after having waded through the long weekend's heavy late night traffic.

I could see that everyone was awake even when it was 2 A.M. We had managed to cover only 75 Kms by 2 A.M. I heard them talk that we would reach our destination only by Noon tomorrow and it would not happen as I had told them that I would take them to the foot of the hills by Dawn. I reassured them that, "This is my turf. Leave it to me. I will take you to the foot of the hills by Dawn for breakfast and just as planned we will climb the hills once daylight has arrived". They were just about half convinced because they know I cover 300 Kms in less than 3 hours especially at nights during my Biking trips.

4 A.M. We were just 200 Kms from home. Took a break. With everyone sleepy and myself totally charged up, it was challenge accepted. I had another 300 Kms and 3 hours for daylight to reach the hillside. 7 A.M. We were taking a fuel stop and we were there. It was dawn and the hills were just a stone's throw away. Towering against us was the hill-station we had come to spend our weekend. 8 A.M. Time for breakfast and it was done fast with everyone eager to climb the hills and enjoy the scenic beauty which we were about to witness after more than a decade since our previous visit.

It was my first hill climb driving a car. 9:30 A.M. We were up the hill. 10 A.M. We were in our rooms. I called upon everyone and said, "I told you. This is my turf. I do not speak if I am not sure of anything. Although uncertainties are always there, still, if everything goes as on paper, this is how we can make it through our roads". So,... How did I do it? Was there anyone else driving? No. With a couple of drivers on board, it was only my driving from home to the hill top.

During the night when everyone had fallen asleep, it was so dark in the highways, with everyone sleeping, it did not make any difference if I was travelling with my family in the car versus the usual Biking trips alone. Through the fog and mist, with all the chaos inside, I could see her face appear. Every curve, every swerve, throughout she guided me through the dark night. As I kept cruising at triple digit speeds, It was like chasing down on her who seemed to be guiding me through the miles, spearheading and asking me to just keep following her and not think about anything else. I quietly told to myself, "I knew you would be here for me, Bubbles \(^_^)/" and sheepishly smiled alone and took deeper breaths and made it to our destination. -rPhoenix