My return trip from Guindy station to home would probably rank next to the Tirupati bus travel in terms of sheer mental and physical exhaustion.
While I was waiting at the bus stop, one of the buses I usually take, came by. But it was very crowded and there were many people eagerly waiting to board it. Typically, another bus of the same route comes a minute after this one leaves and needless to say, its quite empty. So I decided to take that option.
But within a matter of few seconds, a different bus came along. This was very very empty and so I headed towards it. Only when I neared the entrance did I realise that many many others had similar intentions and were also headed to that same entrance. So much so, that I had to literally bump people with my backpack (around 5kg heavy) to make way for myself. This was my first bulb.
When I finally set foot into the bus, it came to my notice that all seats were occupied. Its usually only a 10 minute trip, so whenever I am in such a situation, I don't mind.
My next bulb came when I got the ticket for my trip. I gave the conductor a 5 rupee note and told him my destination. He gave me a 4 rupee ticket and then gave me 6 bucks in change! I was looking at it for a second and since my bulb meter had freshly opened its account, I assumed that I'd given a 10 buck note. I started to move away from the conductor when he suddenly tapped my hand. The hand still had the 6 bucks that I was looking at. He said that I had given only 5 bucks and took back the 5 rupee coin in my hand.
I was cringing internally for the mistake I had done. By then the conductor had gone to the front of the bus and we were also near the next stop. I decided to move front and stood some 3 seats from the entrance. The conductor had just issued a ticket to the guy sitting in the aisle and was moving to the next person on the ladies side. Now, this passenger tapped the conductor and told him that he had been given 1 rupee in excess and he returned it to the conductor.
Even as I was blaming myself for not returning the excess change, I saw someone else do that act. Felt really really bad about myself.
But all this self-pity feeling lasted for another 1 minute only. That was because, the bus had reached the next stop and a hoard of passengers boarded the bus. Now the bus was really packed and getting some breathing space was becoming a luxury. Amongst the people who boarded the bus were 4 blind people. One of them stood next to me.
I am willing to bet my left pinky that the guy hadn't bathed after Pongal. His hair was kinda brushing against my arm and it felt like scotch brite was being rubbed on me. The person on the other side, was keeping himself occupied by clicking his tongue every 1.8 seconds.
By then, the driver started going real slow and it was evident that the inevitable stoppage for "stage" was going to happen. And it did. We waited for around 4 minutes and then got the "Reigh reigh" signal from the conductor.
At the next stop, one of the blind women who was standing near the entrance, suddenly started showering the choicest of abuses at someone. Apparently there was an inappropriate contact and she was retorting with all kinds of swear words. Honestly, I dunno if the guy did it intentionally or if a guy even actually touched her inadvertently. Another thing to be noted was the average guy who gets over-zealous in such matters, was practically ignoring her tirade. But the way she was reacting, made me wonder what might have triggered her to launch her verbal volleys. At one point of the sermon, she even spit in the general direction of the entrance and I am sure the innocent folk in the neighborhood would have had a good reason to take a shower. Her cohorts were also lamenting about how people didn't care even for the blind.
Anyways, my bus stop came up and while alighting, I took extra care to remain out of the reach of that blind lady, lest she start accusing me of doing something. The minute I got out of the bus, I simply rushed to the autos parked near the stop, did my negotiations and hired one to go back home.
Today's events have really made me wonder if I should return by auto from Guindy itself!
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