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.
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