One of the reasons I don’t drive is my lack of sense of direction and the passion for losing my way. Once an auto driver had told me to “straighten my left and right” first before giving him further directions. He was understandably cheesed off given the chaotic traffic in the city, rogue driving of other commuters and in the midst of all this my weird sense of bends and turns.
Some do deal with me with casual humour too. I had just been transferred back to the capital after eight long years. The place where I had got my accommodation was new to me. One afternoon I was going back home from the market in a rickshaw. Nearing the block I suddenly got confused and could not locate the flat I rented. When I apologetically said to the poor man, ” Bhaiya (big brother) I live here but I don’t know where the flat is,” he assured me that I had the rest of the day to look for it.
It’s a common joke in my family that if I give directions to someone it’s a given the person to not reach the location ever. But the most memorable faux pas of my life was when I got into the wrong car thinking it was my own.
It so happened that my nephew had driven me to the local pharmacy to get mother’s medicines. I was sitting in the back seat while my elder sister was seated next to my nephew in front. That time I had a silver grey Wagon R which was the most common vehicle in sight on the road. Every two persons out of three owned a silver grey MAV (Multi Activity Vehicle).
That fateful evening, I got down , walked up to the store, purchased the required medicines and returned to where the vehicle was parked. The sun had not set and there was enough light. I opened the door on the co-driver’s side (totally forgetting that I was seated in the back a while ago), sat down and ordered ,”Let’s Go!”
But the car did not move an inch. Wondering why I turned my head to look at my nephew…But wait! Who was this…???? In place of my young nephew sat a burly middle aged man with eyes almost round with something between shock and disbelief !!!
The next second I was out of the car like a streak and dashed towards my own which was right behind. I don’t remember if I had mumbled an apology to the stranger though I guess I must have since the fault was entirely mine. But later thinking about the incident what bothered me most was if anyone of his family was around , like his wife or girlfriend , we being in the middle of the marketplace and he seemed to be waiting, whether she had seen me getting in and out of his car and what must have happened thereafter.
If you ask me now I don’t clearly remember the man’s face. But it’s odd what all the memory bank of a human mind stores – a dark face… a pair of black, bushy moustache and that look of surprise mixed with incredulity in his eyes!!
Sure I”ll never forget those eyes… Forever…
😂😂😂😂
However, after this mishap I always check the vehicle number before getting in. Trust me on that…
Incidentally, one of my very good friends (who has left us all in a hurry) called me an unconscious comedian.
You know why…
😂😂😂😂
(Odette Piperno , you were so right as always!!)
This had me laughing all the way through 😂 such a beautifully told “unconscious comedy”! The wrong car moment is priceless… and so relatable in its own chaotic way. Loved the warmth and honesty in this 💛
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I am elated that the post brought out a burst of laughter from dear Maha. Be good and God bless.
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I did that once, omgg so embarrassing 😩 luckily, no one else was in the car with me lol
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This is wonderfully funny. 😊
The wrong car episode is pure gold—I could actually picture that moment of shock on the man’s face! Your storytelling makes even simple confusion feel like a memorable adventure.
No wonder your friend called you an “unconscious comedian”—he was absolutely right. And yes, checking the vehicle number now sounds like a very wise upgrade 😄
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Thank you Indrajit. I know it’s a laugh riot. Hope you are back and safe.
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I am still in Erbil. Thank God, I am safe and carrying out normal life here, so far.
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Good to hear that. All the very best. God bless.
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Geeta Ji
Reading and laughing heartily.
I would have said,Aisa bee hota hai kya,but then I remembered a professor who forgot his wife at a shopping mall,came home,searched for her till his daughter told him that he had gone to a shopping mall along with his wife.
Hanstay Muskuratay Rahiyey,hamein bee hansatay rahiyay.❤️🌹
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😆😆😆😆
Jokes apart Nusrat, these incidents happened with me at a time when I was unmindful of myself and around me because of the high level of stress in my life. Just thought of regaling you all with the fun part of it. But the incidents did happen which are staple jokes of the household.
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It is your positive mindset Geetaji to share the fun part of such incidents which otherwise were a result of high levels of stress.
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Thank you so much Nusrat
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Jackie was once waiting for me in a car park. I walked past our vehicle and climbed into the car in front. The woman driver and I were both equally surprised.
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So, I am not the only one…😂
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I’ve done that too. Sat in a similar looking car where another lady was sitting in the back seat 😅😅😅
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At least there was another lady in the back I sat with a man alone in the car. What would have happened if he were a rogue and drove me away?? Of course, it would entirely be his loss kidnapping a scatterbrain like me.
😂😂😂😂
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Haha! I’m sure he would be thankful that you went out of his car.
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Relieved 😌😅
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Yes, because you might be there to hijack the car.
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And him as well….
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😅😅😅
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I’m like you, Geeta. I’m terrible with directions. Good thing we have GPS.
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Hee…Hee…good to find a compatriot
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