"...your high-powered Mercedes is powerless here, buddy,"

"...your high-powered Mercedes is powerless here, buddy," I thought to myself.

About a decade and a half ago, I was driving back to Mumbai from another city. The road was wide but undergoing repairs, leaving only two lanes available. I was maneuvering through traffic, mainly heavy vehicles, in both lanes when I heard incessant honking behind me. Moments later, a black Mercedes hatchback filled with boys blaring loud music was right on my tail. I glanced in the rearview mirror. Stuck behind two trucks, one in each lane, I waited for an opening to pass when the gap widened.

Mr. Mercedes seemed to think I was driving a flying car, relentlessly honking and flashing his high beams (which made no sense in the bright sunlight). I made sure he couldn't pass me for the next five minutes or so. While he had a high-end, powerful car that could easily beat my modest 1200cc Fiat Punto on any flat track, the two-lane road, heavy traffic, and my position worked in my favor.

Soon, we were approaching a bend in the road with even more traffic. Beyond the bend, the road was broad and flat. I knew his powerful engine would give him an advantage, and I also knew it wasn’t wise to engage in high-speed antics—it wasn’t worth the risk. Yet, with some careful maneuvering, I managed to get a few cars between us in the thick traffic. Finally, the bend arrived. As I turned, my eyes lit up: there was a petrol station just after the bend. I quickly steered into the petrol station and headed straight to the most interior pump. Moments later, I saw the Mercedes rush by, the driver probably trying to catch up and overtake me.

Little did he know that he would never spot me, let alone overtake me. In his mind, he probably assumed I had sped ahead after the traffic jam and he had lost the duel. But in my mind, I had won by making him feel he had lost the contest.

This concept undoubtedly applies to various aspects of life. Winning doesn't always necessitate a tangible victory. Sometimes, achieving a sense of triumph within ourselves suffices and brings equal joy and fulfillment. This is especially true when the potential benefits of an actual win are outweighed by the risks involved.

Vicky Malhotra urf Ajay Sharma (played by Shahrukh Khan in "Baazigar") was spot on when he uttered those iconic lines after losing the car race to Madan Chopra (portrayed by Dalip Tahil). #IYKYK.