MAGPIE TALE -3

A HIGHWAY TALE

It was about 10 pm. We were on our way to the airport, driving on this beautiful highway. It was lit up strategically with dazzling lights, giving the impression of some other world, The road was almost empty. The cruising speed was lulling. Unconsciously a thought process started sharing the drive. It was like a reverie. The parting scene of bidding farewell to our dear ones swam before my eyes. The events which gladdened our hearts in the company of our children started moving in a slide show in the mind's eye.  Underneath, a feeling of sadness enveloped me. I became teary. When will we be, destined to meet again was a question mark deep inside me? Though the enjoyable stay of a couple of months was fresh, yet stray thoughts were flooding my being as if reviewing the time spent with our loved ones.

Abruptly I came to myself. All of a sudden,  a swanky red car whizzed past us at a screeching speed. 

We could hardly have a faint glimpse of the people inside. But what was puzzling was the sound of loud guffaws of merry making which we caught nevertheless.

We hardly bothered about the chance encounter, though that unusual laughter intrigued us. After all, all sorts of people drive on this important highway which connects two or three states. 

However, after about an hour, we stopped at a restaurant for light refreshments and stretching our limbs. We were yet to drive for another two hours or so. To our great surprise, the same red car was parked there. Before we could enter the eatery, a group of five men in a weird dress code was stepping out of the door. Their body language and spirited movements exuded confidence and a peculiar elation, which generally we associate with some unexpected success. 

Our friend, who was seeing us off at the airport, unraveled the conundrum at once. He recognized them to be the members of an upcoming rock band, who were coming back after a  very successful performance in the capital city. The flush of success was writ large on their persona. 

FRIENDS,WELCOME HERE AS ALWAYS!