The Girl in Red - Part 2

(Read Part 1 here)

Hassan bus stand is the largest bus stand I have ever seen. It is like a giant stadium. One has to walk quite a distance to reach one platform from the other.

As the bus neared Hassan bus stand, only five people were in the bus and even she was there! While getting down, I overheard her asking the conductor in which platform Chikmagalur buses stand. I thought to myself, it is a lucky day after all. But then, I remembered her earlier reply and was in a dilemma. I waited for a minute for her to get down. But, she was nowhere to be seen.

I had to run to my platform to catch a bus to Chikmagalur. It was already 10pm and at this hour, buses to Chikmagalur usually are very crowded. So, I rushed to my platform. Soon, a Chikmagalur bound bus arrived and I barely managed to grab a seat. I was still looking out for her, because I was sure she had asked for Chikmagalur bus and she had to catch this bus. When the bus was about to depart from the platform, I saw someone far away waving at the bus driver.

The person was wearing red dress and this was the same girl. But, she had a long way to reach and I wondered how she would be able to manage with the luggage. The driver stopped the bus. It was a terrible sight to see her struggling and carrying the bags. She had to make two trips with the luggage from the other platform to the bus. I had an urge to get down from the bus and help her. But, my help was rejected once and second time rejection would be overtly embarrassing.

I thought to myself, if only she had said yes earlier, I could have been of great help to her that day. Anyhow, she got in and took the last available seat.

After an hour, I reached my destination (3km before Chikmagalur) and while getting down glanced at her and she was smiling at me and made an expression "If only I had said yes earlier, I could have saved myself from the weightlifting!" 

I smiled back and made an expression: "Next time, dear" and got down from the bus.

I understand girls’ plight completely. A girl can’t accept help from a stranger. But, does it mean she should suffer? What do you think? 

The Girl in Red - Part 1

So, the bus broke down and we were all waiting on the road. It was then that I saw her…

It was late. Late by an hour to say the least. The dials on my watch pointed to 4 o’clock. I had taken a marco polo city bus to majestic from the hostel. At majestic, I quickly got down and started sprinting towards KSRTC platform from BMTC bus stand. My destination was Chikmagalur. It is a six hour journey from Bangalore. I usually do not book ticket for day journey.

Only Hassan bus was readily available. From Hassan, it is one hour journey to Chikmagalur. I was not in the mood to wait, so I took the Hassan bus. In this bus, there was only one door at the rear and I did not want any disturbance, so I took the seat far away from the door and sat in the seat just behind the driver.

The journey was uneventful during the initial three hours. Perhaps, it was because I had straight away slipped into a deep slumber the moment I got into the bus.

I was jolted by the sudden acceleration. It took me few seconds to realize I was in the bus. The time was 7 30pm. The driver was explaining to the conductor that the clutch plate had given away and to tell the passengers to get down and catch any other bus.

I was the first to get down from the bus and soon enough all the forty odd passengers were on the road waving at any vehicle which looked like a bus. Two buses passed and they didn’t stop. Curses followed and now people were determined to stop the next passing bus at any cost.

I had just a backpack and was jogging around with ease. Then I spotted her, in a red kurti. She had a backpack and two extra-large bags. They looked heavy! At that moment, a bus stopped and people were trying to get inside. I climbed inside, but the bus was not going to Hassan, so I got down.

She hadn't moved from the spot. I mean how could she? With those two bags, I wonder if I could have moved swiftly. Now, about 15 people were remaining and waiting. I was bored. I mustered some courage, went near her and stood next to her.

Finally, I asked her "Hey, don't get me wrong..." But, only my mouth had made some movements. Not a single word was audible of what I spoke. (I mean seriously, I only could not hear).

She glanced at me and made an expression of "What the hell do you want?"

I blurted out "Hey, don't get me wrong, but do you need help with your luggage?"

This time I was loud enough. I hadn’t expected her to say yes. But, she acted as if I was asking her to marry me or something and answered with a hint of arrogance "I can manage".

I felt like she slapped me. I had genuinely offered help and would have done the same if it was an old man or any other person too.

Anyway, a Hassan bus arrived soon enough, I quickly hopped in and grabbed a seat. I didn't bother to check if she also got into the bus.

The bus started and the journey continued.

To be continued…


Part 2