An expensive ‘Yes’

CM NIROULA

With open volume of music a Blue sporty car was before me and I was tailgated by a ford truck. We all were on the same single lane road towards our respective destinations ahead. Narrow one way road with parking on both the sides. It looks little wider than a bike lane. When a lot of cars were parked on the street it was hard to drive for new drivers like me. Many cases of hit and run were heard at this spot. Some get caught and the rest escape. I have vowed not to.

From a traffic light a white Nissan overtook us, as if it was an ambulance in hurry. My car narrowly escaped the hit. I got no clue if it was running to avoid a caught or it was an amusement driving for someone. I just wished for I was saved and prayed for no one’s hurt ahead. I do not even remember the name of the street but I know where the location is!

It was my second week of college and I used to follow the same route back and forth. My mind was divided for the quiz back in the college and traffic ahead. For me, most in the list in the daily roster while learning in the new country with new system were A,B,C..
The quiz conduction seemed entirely different than the one I was used to with during my schooling days in the refugee camp. Some sort of fantasy was at its brim in my mind to shine in the contest in the college. Repeatedly recalled the subject matters and readied my mind- while my eyes were on the muzzy road and hands on steering.

A loud sound startled me! A little further smoke seen. The Blue sporty car hit another white car before me. It was almost time for my class. I started looking for a short route to escape the jam. Two people stepped out from two different cars. Before one start talking, the other started hitting on the face and the fight began. I became one of the witnesses from inside my stopped car.

What a moment I started from home today, I asked myself. Accident in front, fight so wild and hunk of the truck from my back. Street parking on both sides. Quiz in college. No clue ahead. My mind seemed empty and nervous. Truck blew loud horn and its driver was saying something which I didn’t understand. He was yelling and for a pro-tem peace in mind I saw a police car blinking its lights. It too got stuck. I saw another car approaching us in the wrong direction. It was a police van entering into Do Not Enter spot.

I am surrounded by flashing lights, fighting in full swing ahead and I’m sandwiched in-between. Now the quiz began in my mind. My mind divided, yet, into two more groups.

The scene was so scary. Blood from their bodies, one car was almost on the top of the other, finally a few police officers with guns in their hands surrounded the fight. Suddenly one of the fighters withdrawn his might. Small relief governed my mind. I thanked god. It did not work, though. The other fighter, profoundly bleeding, smashed the other one’s face.

My mind started becoming police. Started asking the move ahead. What would I do? Fire in the air? Shout or intervene the fight? While the quiz in my mind of being a police trying to find an answer two policemen invaded the scene and handcuffed the duo in blood and dumped inside two different vans. Tow trucks towed both the cars. I remained witnessing the eerie scene.

The traffic moved. I reached the college. I entered the classroom. Everyone was busy writing in pin-drop silence. Professor Georgia saw me in haste and asked;

Georgia: are you on time? The quiz is almost over. I can’t wait for you. If you want you can sit in the back and do it.

I was unnerved. I found no meaning of telling her the reasons.

Georgia: come get your quiz paper.
She told something, either I did not hear or I did not understand. Yes, slipped out of my mouth.
Georgia: She looked into my face for a while and said- Are you alright?
Yes, again came out of my mouth.

Georgia: Handed me a sheet of question paper.

Reality hit me hard. Quiz it was said. Not an exam or a test. I was prepared for the quiz like the one in my school. Poor me, stunned.

I: is this a test?

Georgia: Do it as instructed.

I held the paper in my hand, went to the last seat. I tried my best to fill the blank lines in jiffy-for the time was running short.

I was in deep confusion. My mind divided again on quiz and test, rather a debate began. Colleagues started submitting their papers.

Georgia: Are you done? The question was for me.

Yes, slipped from my mouth.

Georgia: Came to my place and took my paper. I realized-my yes.
The next day I got an A. I tried recalling the first thing Georgia told me and I said Yes.
Since then, I am finding the reason for the yes. An expensive yes!