After much hustle and bustle, I managed to hop on a bus destined to Badarpur. I had no idea about where I was heading to. All I knew was that I had to be free by eleven o’ clock sharp or else I would miss the first date of my life.
I bought a ticket at ten rupees and put my ‘Aristocrat’ below the seat I chose to be seated upon. The seats were very narrowly spaced. Of course, it was nobody’s business to place the seats at fair distances keeping in mind that some people might be six feet tall too! However it does pose a difficulty for me and my long legs many times. Somehow, I managed to tuck in my legs underneath the seat in front, and tried to be comfortable in my own seat by the window. I looked outside and saw the conductor shouting at his loudest, trying to gather passengers for his already full bus.
“Ajao… Badarpur, Badarpur, Badarpur… “
The bus started after about half an hour. It was November end, and the air had started to turn chilly. The veering wind brushed my face and I started to feel sleepy. I rested my head on the windowsill and slowly closed my eyes. Soon many a thought crossed my mind.
I thought about my brother, whom I would meet today after about a year and a half. Bhaiyya works here, in Delhi, whereas I’m posted in Guwahati for my work. Although this time I was travelling from my hometown, bhaiyya and I seldom meet at home or are on leave together. Anyways, this time I thought I would meet him here itself since I was travelling through Delhi, even if it might be for one day.
Actually I am here for some other business altogether. I have my colleague’s wedding to attend in the next two days. For that I’ll have to meet up with some of my other colleagues and then travel to Chandigarh, where the wedding was scheduled to take place. Attending a wedding is a really tiring business, especially when you have to come all the way from Guwahati to attend it. But of course, it was my leave period too, which I had happily spent at home the past two weeks.
When I say ‘happily’, i mean contentedly- not having to wake up early to leave for work, not having to be upset about brunch or dinner, no bossy seniors, no chattering colleagues. The only problem at home was that, I couldn’t talk to Dhara freely. Whenever she used to call me, I would have to run to the rooftop to have a chat with her, or else my mother and little sister would start giggling at the sight of me talking to a girl on phone. The only person at home who knew about her was Bhabhi (sister-in-law).
Bhabhi was typically my friend with whom I could share my innermost feelings. Not only Dhara, I had told her about every other girl I used to like, or stare at. She would listen to everything I say, laugh at my jokes and even advise me now and then. I had told her this time that I was planning to meet Dhara in Delhi, and that I was starting to like her gradually. In fact, I had told Bhabhi each and everything that I knew about her- each and everything, except that single thing which troubles me a lot- Dhara already has a boyfriend!
Suddenly, my eyes opened as the bus came to a halt with screeching breaks. I came to know that it was the last stop as the whole bus started emptying. I pulled out my bag again and got down from the bus. I had finally reached Badarpur, and it was already thirty minutes past ten!
“Oh Crap!”
P.s. the time of our meeting was rescheduled, of course!
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