A Straight Drive

It has long been my desire to drive one of the better innovations of man...the car...I was happy to start with a modest Maruthi 800 and obtained a licence as early (!) as last December...It was months after the 'Test' that I was behind the steering again...My mother took a brave decision to come along with me for a short drive...Ignition went on well...First gear...full clutch, half clutch, accelerator, this mirror , that mirror...there seemed to be whole lot of simultaneous actions...(multi-tasking??!) Just when I thought I had completed all these, the engine gave up...I looked at my mom...She seemed as patient as ever...'Never mind..try again...'
Feeling encouraged, I gave it another shot....This time everything worked...and the car inched forward...Relief...! There was a sudden violent jerk and the engine gave up..again...! Puzzling...I thought! 'You let go of the clutch too soon...' Wisdom! I gave a stupid smile and started the process again...Things were much rosier this time...First gear, wonderful start and it was time for the second gear...! We were on the road now...'Keep the steering steady' my mom said, frantically signalling....'Yes ma..dont worry...' I said and cautiously stepped on the accelerator...'DONT do that...keep the speed at 20...' There was a slight tinge of exasperation in her voice...all of a sudden, a guy on a cycle sprung out of nowhere....'BRAKKKKKEEEE' The pitch had increased considerably now...I could hear my heart beat...faster by many times...
'Ok..go straight...' Keep it straight..I kept telling myself...I spotted a fishcart going right ahead of me...Attempting an overtake, I swerved a bit...I expected my mom to say something...When I stole a glance at her, she was sitting with her eyes tightly closed and her hands on her head...as if she was about to witness a cruel manslaughter...!! It was too late when I realized the reason for her action...The rear of the fishcart had made a dirty scratch...and the car now seemed headed straight towards a lamp post...My mom pulled the hand brake and and steered us out of danger...!!!
'You need to take more classes...' my mom said...that was putting it way too lightly...'I'll end up becoming hypertensive if I go with her before she gets more training...!' I heard her say, as she narrated the incident to my dad....