Chapter 12 – Fantastico Hospitality of Chandigarh

The masculine beauty called Thinderbird

Tanvi got up to go but felt light-headed. The vertigo made her lose balance and she was about to embarrassingly fall down, had it not been for a young guy who caught her by the waist and helped Tanvi get back on feet.

“Are you fine, Mam”, said the charming man balancing his DSLR in one hand and Tanvi on other.

“I am fine. Thanks for helping”. Tanvi said sheepishly, embarrassed at her public display of fragility.

“Can I drop you somewhere? You look pale”, the man looked genuinely concerned.

Tanvi was skeptical. Taking lift from a stranger of opposite gender in India always ends up as a bad decision. However, walking back 6 kilometers to reach gurudwara was not an option. Taking a cue from her silence and understandable skepticism, the young guy, extended his hand and said, “By the way, I didn’t introduce myself. I am Major Dalbir Singh currently posted in Pathankot. Chandigarh is my hometown so I am here on my annual leave. And, don’t worry you will be perfectly safe with me”.

Tanvi meekly smiled and nodded a yes. “But before we leave you must have some coconut water. It will replenish your energy”, Major Dalbir purchased two coconuts from a nearby vendor even before Tanvi’s could give her consent.

“So, where should I drop you?” Dalbir said while detaching the black steelbird helmet from his shinning red thunderbird standing astounding in its splendour beauty. Tanvi couldn’t take her eyes off this masculine beauty – solid, strong, bold – it exuberates class at every inch of its robust body.

“Mam, Mam”, Dalbir nudged.

“Oh! Call me Tanvi, please”.

Tanvi then edited her story to avoid any unnecessary shock and judgemental behaviour. Tanvi told Dalbir that she is from Delhi and is on all India road trip in her Tata Zica car, and had reached Chandigarh yesterday late night so is currently staying in gurudwara’s yatri room.

Dalbir listened to her story attentively and then extended his warm hospitality in typical Army officer style, “I insist you must stay with us. My house is right here in Sector 15 and we have an out house where you can stay for as long as you are in Chandigarh. My mom and little sister will be happy to see their brother bring a girl home”, major Dalbir gave an innocent tinkle.

Tanvi, though amused, but was not used to such forthcoming yet warm behaviour. The thing about road trips is that you must keep your mind open and away from all prejuidices to allow the experiences of each place to soak in.

“What the heck! I am on a road trip and to hell with all social stereotypes”, Tanvi decided to go with the flow and she didn’t want to miss hospitality offer from this dude.

Tanvi smiled, nodded a yes and enjoyed thunderbird pillion ride.

Read the previous post here – Chapter 11 – From Paranormal Kasauli To Peppy Chandigarh 

Read the next post here – Chapter 13 –

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.