Jhini

I enjoy driving in Bangalore more than anywhere else. I know, you must be thinking I am crazy. “Poor guy has gone crazy after coding day and night and not getting paid.” Well, that might be happening to a certain extent. But more on that later, if ever.

Bangalore has the prettiest streets. I am not talking about the ORRs or Sarjapur Roads. I don’t ever want to drive on those roads. I am talking of the gullys, the bylanes of Koramangala, the smaller roads, the old HAL airport roads, and countless other such streets. On most days, these streets get ignored because of our need for efficiency. Google Maps recommends a shorter route that’s going to save 3 minutes. Who wouldn’t take it! “Chop chop. I am in a hurry. Saving those 3 minutes is crucial.”, I think as I peer straight through the wind shields of the car in front of me. “Chal bhai! There is no one in front of you.”, I am screaming in my head. I am doing half the driving for the car in front of me. If only, I could do the entire thing!

It’s different when you are on the scenic routes of Bangalore. I had my office in Koramangala for a few months. After lunch, I used to go for a walk in the nearby lanes with a friend. Huge trees stood tall on both sides of these streets. They were huge but they were kind and gentle. And the best part was, they ignored our gossip. We shot random shit and they couldn’t care less. Here are some of our friends.

Driving along the tree lined boulevards, on a blue sunny Bangalore day, feels special. It almost feels like a cheat code to uplift my mood. The road is covered with this thin sheer sheet of shadows. The sheet takes the shape of your car as you move under it. Your own jhini chadariya, I guess.