Just a simple conversation:
Friend: You always say, ‘car lo aur nikal jao.’ Have you done this before?
Me: Yes, for 25 days.
‘Where did you go?’
‘Just wandered from Bus to Bus, in search of me.’
‘Like, roadways?’
‘Yes.’
‘Non-AC?’
‘Yes.’
‘Looking at you now, it doesn’t seem believable.’
‘I did it, but what I am now, a bit more aged, responsible for everybody working with me, I have learned something. I accept the difference between commerce and art, only to integrate them.’
‘What did that feel like? What did you learn in 25 days?’
‘I had very little money. I travelled, ate in all sorts of places, whatever was accessible. I have better resources now. I learned that in any situation, I will survive. I will manage. And that is enough.’
‘After a decade, you are again taking your car, no bag, no plan.’
‘The journey is the end. It’s not about the scenic views, escaping orange alerts, those are just add-ons. This road trip is to test my limits. How bound am I?’
‘You should put this on your blog.’
‘Ok.’
It is night time. 23:11 pm