THE BIRIYANI THAT WASN'T MINE

THE BIRIYANI THAT WAS NOT TO BE! 

After 3 Uber cabs cancelled the rides and one refused to drive me to Nagenahalli at 9 pm, I was not sure if the fourth would agree. 

The three which cancelled had no good reason but one solid reason I can give them.... They had no Biriyani menu on their rides which Somashekar the fourth driver had.. not in the rides but written on his fate. 

On getting into the cab I requested him to stop at some eatery on the way. I was ravenous and hunger pangs were chewing on my intestines. It was about 9.15 pm and the route which we would take passed through market places intercepted with highways. 

The smell of biriyanis and kababs moved along with fumes of the traffic. I was getting hungrier and the driver in no way could PARK the car on the shoulder and fetch some food for me. 

Sardined packed in the salmon flow of vehicles, poor man on the wheel moved on. 

When we reached the highway where the traffic was much organised, the eateries vanished! I was trying to understand the way life teaches us lessons! 

Hunger was grooving in my tummy and the highway was feeding me with speed and soothing summer BREEZE. 

After driving for 35 kms through alternate terrain and traffic and no food, I was just maybe a km away from home. The music in the cab was very pleasant, sort of lounge music which I was enjoying but I was also enjoying vicariously the lounge drinks and snacks. 

The screech of the sudden halt of the breaks gave me a jolt! The revival of the Biriyani aroma travelled deep into my famished stomach and I sat up! 

Even before I could ask the driver anything, he got out of the car and rushed to the biriyani stall . He returned jubilant with a winners smile and said 

' Madam bisi bisi Biriyani.. Chicken biriyani! True enough, in the city such amount is definitely not served with equal amount of accompaniments. 

Looking into the carry bag at once my hunger reached its peak and bit the dust at the same time! 

I told him to keep the bag and it's delightful contents which I was looking forward to have. 

The driver was caught aback and with a sad face said 'Madam I am aware I did not get it from a big restaurant, so you are not taking it? 

To this with an equally sad face I said to him - 'The fumes of the hot aromatic rice is just irresistible! The quantity is a lot, I will be reaching my destination in another 10 minutes.' 

He curiously looked at my sorry face and asked ' You can take it home and have'? 

Once again my sorry hungry sad face explained to him that Non Veg is not allowed at home, even though I am a non vegetarian! 

The driver had a sort of empathy on his face. I handed over the bag of biriyani to him and asked him to take it home. 

It was exactly 12 o clock .. and Someshekar asked me 'Ega Women's day alwa madam orey?  Happy Women's Day! 

Life May not have all the things you need on the menu but if you really want it, need it, and above all deserve it ... It will come, a delivery agent is ready to deliver you at your doorstep!