1. The Suzuki-powered 800 cc engine purrs to life.

2. Jaggu and Tarana’s friendly banter filters through on 92.5.

3. I touch the rosary hanging wrapped around my rear view mirror, mutter a small prayer (Jesus, take us safely. Bring us back home safely), shift into first, maneuver around Amar’s decrepit white car and edge slowly towards the main gate.

4. At times the guard bounds to open the gate.

5. At others, he strolls lazily and pushes it open.

6. There are days when he’s busy flirting with the domestic help and I honk to nudge him towards the gate.

7. For 15 years, the two kilometer road to the highway has been in various states of disrepair. Over the last couple of months, we’re told it’s for a better tomorrow.

8. I dodge new barriers, pesky rickshaws, unsuspecting pedestrians, the odd dog, and an assortment of bad drivers to hit the highway. On a good day, it takes me four minutes. On bad days, as long as a half hour.

9. At times, the traffic is thin.

10. Ever so often though, it morphs into a monstrous serpent that devours cars and I curse incessantly.

11. Once at office, I switch my machine on. I use the excruciatingly long time it takes to boot to wash my face, fill my bottle with cold water and piss.

12. Good morning!