In Memory of Red

Since childhood I have always been very fond of automobiles. My childhood days didn't have good looking motorcycles, but sure did have very beautiful cars.

Among my favorites, I absolutely loved HM Contessa, Daewoo Cielo and Mitsubishi Lancer. So when I grew up and when it was time for me to buy my first car, I bought a black Mitsubishi Lancer. It was the fifth vehicle I've owned by then so I called it "Mark-5".

What a car it is! It was low, with a long bonnet and seat as low as if you are sitting on the ground. It's said, once you drive a Mitsubishi, chances are you won't like another car again and I genuinely believe it's true.

Soon after I bought the car, I started modifying it to my taste: cannon like muffler, leather wrap door panels, upgraded ICE (in-car entertainment), etc. With time I got all the mechanical issues fixed and then got it painted to Audi red and from then, I used to call her "Red"!

God she was a looker! I saved up more and installed bigger alloy wheels with much fatter tires. The car looked so beautiful that even Audis, Mercs and BMWs would stop by and show me a thumbs up seeing the car. But all good things come to an end, and that's what happened to Red as well.

Exactly three years back today (June 5th, 2016), around 19:00 hours, I met with a life risking road accident. I was waiting at a traffic signal in Newtown, Kolkata so that I could cross the road and turn right towards airport. Once the signal turned green, I slowly started moving and right when I turned half way into the opposite late, a reckless unloaded truck violated the red signal and crashed into Red from the left at about speeds of around 70-80 kmph.

My car flew and hit the divider, bounced back and the truck hit me again. This kept on happening for about 3-4 times until the truck could change direction and free itself. The truck tried to run away but he was caught at the next signal. I had no idea what happened because all I could feel was a side impact and some constant shaking.

While the car was at rest after the impact, the engine was still running. I turned it off and came out of the car. The right side seemed okay, just ended up with one broken alloy wheel. When I got to the left side, I was devastated to see what had happened to Red.

Cops came and towed my car to the police station as it was not drivable anymore. I sent my car to the workshop and claimed insurance but they initially declared the car a "Totalled Loss" and later tried to stop the payment by finding loopholes in the contract. We chased it for several months, raised a complaint at the ombudsman office and then finally the scores were settled. The insurance company however didn't pay the amount they were suppose to but I'll anyway skip all that part for now since my purpose for this post is to remember Red.

Everybody who saw the car couldn't believe that I escaped the accident without a single scratch. I am still alive today because I was wearing the seat belt and because Red was a very strong girl. She gave her life protecting me! If there's anything I regret in life, not restoring Red back to her glory is one of the them.

I miss you Red! And I'll always miss you!