It was a Friday. I was excited
about the coming weekend. Thanks to a meeting, I was dressed in a smart Indian
outfit, had gotten a couple of compliments and was feeling good. It was just
11.30 AM, but it felt like it was going to be a good day. It wasn’t. I was
brushing up a presentation when Bobby called. He asked if I had brought the car
with me. I hadn’t. He couldn’t find it at our usual parking spot. The society
guards had no clue. Our car had gotten stolen! There went my good day and mood.
Till the very end I thought,
rather hoped, that Bobby was playing a silly prank on me. Even when he called
me to the nearby police station, I fervently hoped it was to throw me an
elaborately planned surprise party, even though my birthday is 3 months later
and it is very unlike Bobby. But as I digested the unpalatable information of
our beloved Katrina, Bobby’s first car being stolen, I felt my heart sink. I
tried hard to maintain a calm exterior. A stolen car was enough of a worry
already, Bobby didn’t need a panicking wife to make it worse for him. As Bobby
filed an FIR, I made calls at the insurance company. With each passing minute,
the feeling of dread worsened. My throat was dry, tears were stinging my eyes
every time I looked at Bobby who was running around completing the formalities
to report his stolen Alto and understand insurance claim procedures for his
Katrina, which he had bought on his own, with his hard earned money. All the
good memories, the fear of being vehicle less were making rapid entry and exits
in my mind.
When there was nothing more we
could do, we returned to work. Relatives and friends were informed on Whatsapp,
messages and calls. And this is where the feel good factor begins. There were
many who scolded us for being lazy and not parking more safely. There were I –
Told – You – So’s. But there were also sympathies. Consolations. What touched
me the most were the genuine offers from friends and relatives. My dear old
Papa insisted that I take his car for as long as we need it. A young brother –
in – law offered us his bike till we made arrangements for a new car. Relatives
who spent hours on the internet researching and on the phone with us discussing
pros and cons of different cars like they were researching for buying a car for
themselves. Discreet, genuine and insistent offers of lending money (big sums!)
for the new car in case we were tight. Calls from distant relatives whose words
offered so much comfort and hope. Friends, who actually made us believe that we
were lucky to have our car stolen as its insurance value was much more than it’s
resale value and then they asked for double parties – for getting a higher sum
from insurance and for the new car! Friends who made me laugh and smile when I
could have been depressed. A close friend, who lent me his car whenever I
needed it and never made me feel like it is not mine. While we did lose a car,
precious for its position as the first big investment by Bobby, invaluable for
the memories associated with it and loved for the joyful moments it made
possible, we also found out how dear we are to our loved ones. We have
certainly done something right to have such wonderful people in our life who
made us excited about the new car, rather than let us wallow in the misery of
losing our beloved Katrina. Heartfelt thanks and love to everyone who made this
tough time so much easier. We wish no such misery every befall you, but if god
forbid it does, we shall always be there to.
Thank you :)
P.S. Our new car would be a Hyundai Xcent!
