A wrong choice can cause so much grief be it in life or on the road. Today I lost my way as I drove to Aayan’s school for the first time to pick him up. I thought I had taken the right turning but had left it behind. Round and round I drove through the maze of homes. I asked people about the school, about 18th main crossing and all I got were negative nods or ‘sorry I am new here’.

Parita started crying, the heat became oppressive and I could feel the first wave of panic set in. I was lost. Homes began to look alien to me, people indifferent and the traffic belligerent.

Everything was so familiar and yet strange like a song that I knew but couldn’t remember. What was it? Or better still where was it? The pre-school, the road, I knew them so well and yet I was lost.

I drove through the worst parts of the locality where the poor shabby homes melded with those of the rich, reversed the car more times than I can remember, honked and cursed at my fate, watched Parita throw a fit from my rear view mirror and then finally called Aaman and cried for help.

Back and forth we spoke on our cell phones. He tried to explain but I couldn’t hear a thing over Parita’s screams. I drove back into the maze but remained lost till an old Bangalorean gentleman agreed to help me out. He got into the passenger seat and took me to Aayan’s school.

Aayan was the last kid there, sitting sweetly on one of the swings. His cheeks were red from heat and his eyes shined with happiness when he saw that his mom had come to get him instead of his father.

I kissed his cheek and took him back to the car where his sister was throwing a royal fit. He smiled at Parita as he scrambled into the car and off we drove.

We were finally on the right track. I knew the way back home and there were no wrong routes to be made.

Took us ten minutes to reach home and though the car’s clutch started making a weird springy sound and meant I would be without a car for a few days to come as it would be given to the garage yet I was glad that I had regained my confidence on the road even if it meant taking the wrong turn and going through the worst sort of hot, sultry aggravations.