I generally do not step out of my routine. Call it laziness or fear of disturbing routine, but my days are happily spent in travelling to and from work. Since it is such a rare event, I generally do not take public transport like bus or train.
I decide to take a bus today. Because I have time. Because there is no agenda. Because I want to prove to myself that I can.
I walk to the bus stop ,full of hope. Only one other person there. Five minutes pass. A bus arrives, not useful to either of us. She is listening to music and simultaneously browsing her social media account. I have decided to look at people today, their clothes , their footwear, their conversations, their hurry. Another ten minutes pass. Another bus arrives , and the girls looks at it 5 seconds too late. By the time she gathers her bags, the bus moves. Frustrated ,girl runs after the bus but can not catch it. She walks back, walks around for a few seconds, stands , thinks and then comes to a decision of taking a rickshaw. I wonder where is her destination. She is wearing a very informal footwear of slippers, is she going for a job ? I know, I won’t get any answers..
Next twenty minutes I just sit and look at the people. My bus doesn't arrive.I look at people stopping theirs cars and rickshaws to go to the bank opposite and the grocer next. In next 15 minutes , all those who are here before me have caught a bus, some who arrived here after me are also on their way.But I am still here…..
I see one 322 ltd going in the opposite direction, to her last stop, which is 2 stops away. May be this bus will come back , like a circular bus route? But then it is going to be a long wait here...
There is an alternative bus to my bus 322 ltd, i.e.330 ltd ,which will take me to Kurla station. 2 of these have already gone. May be I should have taken those. But I don't like Kurla , it is dirty and there is a long walk to the ticket counter. I will rather wait….
I am beginning to have doubts over my decision to take a bus. When will I reach ? It was 10 minutes to 9 am when I left home. If I get a Bus now, I will reach at 11.30 am. Is it worth it ? May be I should have taken a teain , but it is the rush hour and I don't think I will be comfortable. Okay, if the bus doesn't come in next 10 minutes, I will take a rickshaw instead.
Okay, I see two buses coming one after the other. One of them has to be my bus. Oh God, Please God… Yes...thankfully it is my bus…
As I get into the empty bus, I face the usual dilemma, which side seats to choose ? Which side is going to face the fierce (near) noon sun ? I decide that I will sit on the left even though the seats reserved for ladies are on the right. It should be okay, I won't be unfair to any male passengers , I don't expect this bus to have standing passengers at all at any point.
Bus starts and I start to write this post. But wait, this bus goes to the airport. I want to see the tree lined road, Yes... I spot the beautiful white champa tree...how lovely !
Now I can start reading on my kindle, that is another reason I took the bus, right ? It is impossible to read in the rickshaw and I have to finish my Robin Hobb today. But I do not make this journey regularly, I want to see all the roads, shops, trees, buildings… They may not be beautiful but then it is something I like about Mumbai...always full of life, always busy…
A person sitting behind me starts talking loudly over the phone in Hindi. I don't really listen to his conversation until he starts saying ‘I love you. Please trust me.’ again and again.I know now I will have a very entertaining time till one of us reaches our destination. He disconnects his first call and in next few minutes makes another. This time he says,’ I do not love you, I lied. You are like my bhabhi !’This guy is a soap opera personified ! Third call to another person, this time a male ,’ You are my best friend, my bhai. She loves you and only you. I am not a kamina or haramee to have buri nazar on my bhabhi !’ I want to see this guy. But can not really look back. I just see his bright pink T shirt.
His conversation suddenly ends without me reaching any conclusion so as to who loves whom. We reach our destination, I get a good look at him. Must Be around 19-20, not educated, some kind of worker ? Definity not a student.And does not really look like a loverboy-casanova . Alas, I will never know the real story…
Now the next part of my journey...the railway. This part is very short and smooth. No queue at the ticket counter and no waiting for the train. I am on my way within 5 minutes…. And an additional benefit...those imitation jewellery vendors in the train , I never get to buy anything from them as do not usually travel by train. I compensate by buying something from each vendor I see...earrings, bangles,bindies...I am happy.
In 20 minutes, I am travelling by rickshaw to my mom’s house. I always see new shops sprouting on that road. I must go for shopping here, but hardly any time. Ah! There is that second hand book shop, I must visit it this time. Can I ? Will there be enough time ? Don't think so… As I reach home, I run as fast as I can... my mom opens the door to smile at me…. Home , at last !!
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