Wild night - 1

10:00 p.m. Outside the society office of a Housing Complex in Mumbai

It was a cold December night. Time was 10.00 p.m. Ordinary people were already in bed or on their way to bed. Crazy guy-1 was on the phone trying to pacify his “good friend” why he wouldn’t be able to make it to her city to meet her. This is probably the third or fourth time he was doing this in the month. Every time she wanted him to come to meet her, he had turned her down on some pretext or the other. He hated himself for it, but it just wasn’t possible. He had his exams in some days.
While he is on the phone, Crazy guy-2 was hearing all this. When the phone call was done..

“What happened?” Crazy guy-2 asked.
“Same old shit. She wants me to come but it’s not possible. Next week se exams hai. No time to plan, to book tickets, no time to go.” Crazy guy-1 replied.
“Let’s go now.” Crazy Guy-2 said eyeing his silver santro.
“Now!! Hmm.. lets go” Crazy guy-1 hopped into the car.


10:05 p.m. Stop1: Home of Crazy Guy-1

Crazy Guy-1 threw in a t-shirt and jeans in a bag. He checked his wallet. “Bye mom! I will be back tomorrow”.
“Where are you going?” she asked. “Crazy guy-2 has some work in another city. I am going with him.” he lied as already decided. “Yeah aunty. I have some urgent official work and don’t want to travel alone” seconded Crazy guy-2. They winked at each other and left.


10:15 p.m. Stop2: Wine shop

“How many beers?”
“Take four”
“Atta boy!!”


10:20 p.m. Stop 3: Pan shop:

Crazy Guy-1 bought a pack of Classic Mild. He lit two cigarettes. One for himself and one for his partner! The beer bottles were opened in the car.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Off they went!!


10:35 p.m.

“Should I call her and tell her that I am coming?” asked Crazy Guy-1.
“Pagal hai kya. Give her a surprise” replied Crazy Guy-2.


11:00 p.m.

Loud heavy metal music was playing in the car. Two empty beer bottles were lying in an empty plastic case. The cigarette pack was half empty already.
“I am hungry” complained Crazy Guy-1.
“Kasara ghat pe awesome parathas milta hai. We ll be there in an hour. Lets finish the beers by then” said Crazy Guy-2.
“Okie Dokie!” affirmed Crazy Guy-1 and opened the remaining beer bottles.
“Exit liiiight…enter niiiight….take my handddd…we r off to never never landd..” sang James Hetfield. The crazy guys joined in.


11:55 p.m. Stop 4: Some Dhaba, Kasara ghat.

“Here we are!!” announced Crazy Guy-2.
They went inside the small dhaba and order parathas. The night was young there. Lots of truck drivers were chit chatting and eating. The hot parathas (makkhan marke) smelled awesome!! They tasted better. The plates were emptied in no time.
“Burp…Awesome! They were worth the wait” exclaimed Crazy Guy-1.
“Didn’t I say!!” grinned Crazy Guy-2.
They lit cigarettes before getting into the car.


12:45 a.m. Stop 5: Stuck in a traffic jam at some fucked up place on the highway.

“Groan!! This is the last thing that we needed” said Crazy Guy-1. He could see and endless line of trucks ahead. The vehicles weren’t moving an inch.
“We should have bought more beers” complained Crazy Guy-2. He didn’t look too worried
“Wtf man!! I don’t think this jam is going to clear tonight. Maybe God doesn’t want me to meet her. Should we turn back?” enquired Crazy Guy-1.
“Chutiye!! No ways” said Crazy Guy-2. The next moment they were flying on the wrong side of the road. There was no approaching vehicle and they covered some miles. The only approaching vehicle was a distant speck.
The line of vehicles they were overtaking was endless. Suddenly they could make out that the approaching speck of lights was a Traffic police jeep. They were trapped in the wrong lane!! There were trucks to their left and no escape to their right. They were blocking the road. Last thing they needed right then was getting caught for drunken driving.
The jeep was approaching fast…It was just 100 meters away. Crazy Guy-1 could almost make out the grinning cops. They were trapped. They were going to be beaten and jailed by the cops.