Special Valentine's Evening!

I wrapped up my work at 7.50 and came out of office. 2 days after full moon, the silver ball, was shining bright and big. It just added glamour to the romance in the air. I hurried to the parking lot, humming an all time Ilayaraja favorite 'Thoongadhe vizhigal rendu'. I switched on the radio and Radio Mirchi was playing 'Oru maalai ila veyil neram'. Perfect romantic evening. Cut.

As I pulled out from the parking space, just realized my car was behaving crazy. She was not the same old buddy who'd dance to my tunes. I said 'reverse' and she did it sluggishly. I said 'Turn right' and literally dragged, she budged reluctantly. That was very unlike her! I put her to an halt and got out to examine... And Lo! Found a flat tyre'!. Cut.

The flat tyre did give me a mixed feeling. This is probably the 3rd or the 4th instance of punctured tyre in 3 years. But, never once at work. She'd never let me down. Usually, she'd contract a puncture at home and I will have my brother/dad/ Narayan Anna to help me out. For once, I get to change the tyre all by myself, and am happy about it! Yes, 'Happy'. I always thought, I should learn to handle it myself. One is never assured of a helping hand always in life.

I parked her back into my parking slot, opened the boot and pulled out the spare tyre. Just when I was trying to pull out the jockey, a guy came to me and asked "Ennanga tyre puncture a?" He was a driver waiting at the parking lot, and before I could reply, pulled out the jockey for me. I got it from him, and went down to place it under the car, He came there, got it from me and started working on changing the tyre. I felt so disappointed. I really wanted to do it myself.

It was very nice of him to come and help even before it was asked for, but what do I tell him? I was really contemplating. Even if I politely said, 'I'll learn to do it myself', Later, what if I couldn't unscrew the tyre, it will be a little embarrassing. I also wasn't sure if he'll really understand my intention! So, I just let him help me.

Now, there were loads of other questions running thru my head. 'Should I offer to pay him for the help?', 'Will that be embarrassing him?', 'If I have to pay, how much?', 'Is Rs.20 fine? or Rs. 50?', 'Do I have those bills in my wallet?' Ughh...

After he was done, I gave him the scrap cloth to wipe his hands. I also pulled my wallet out and he said 'Parava illai irukattum'. I felt really awkward. To my dismay, 'I just had a Rs.10 note and rest 100s!' 'How can I ask him to take 20-50 and give me change?' He said 'Parava illai' a couple more times, and I decided to leave it alone. Told him a 'Big Thanks'. Cut.

After about 20-30 mins of this work, when I pulled the car out again, I thought I heard something..Somebody singing 'Solaiyilum mutkal thondrum,naanum,neeyum neenginaal..' Stopped and looked around, again, I heard something that was totally unbelievable! I heard my Zen murmur to the Santro in the next slot, 'I tore myself to get this extra time with you on this nice valentine's night'.

‘Naan Unnai, neenga maaten…Neenginaal thoonga maaten…’