Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE symbolic transition into adulthood: driving.
The epidemic that began in September, at the start of the school year, continues to exclusively devour 17-year-olds in increasing numbers. Slowly, but surely, we are turning 18. We still watch Disney movies, but legally, we are adults.
While I was doing an excellent job of ignoring my current state of adulthood, others have started taking driving lessons.
Driving is something that adults do. We sit in the back and complain about how long it will take us to reach the destination. Entrusting us to operate a large metal contraption and travel from A to B seems like an adult task. Suddenly, we are able to transport ourselves at will. It’s almost magical.
The transition to adulthood, however, is not easy. Learning how to drive, when your parent is slamming the imaginary brake in the passenger seat and anxiously scanning the surroundings is a part of the journey. All of a sudden, we realise that our parents are not in control anymore. If we crash the car, it’s our fault. They did, technically, warn us.
The realisation of adulthood is a heady rush. We can either pretend that it isn’t happening, or buckle the seatbelt and grab the steering wheel. We might as well reach the destination.
