Number of Targets to Achieve ;)

Oh! it is 6:15 pm, time to pack the belongings and rush to home. I quickly swapped my card at the gate and moved towards the main gate. Knowingly, I pushed the gate instead of pulling. I do it often even after knowing. I don't know whether it has become a habit or it happens with others too. The guy on the other side of the gate smiled and pushed the gate back. He must be thinking, what a nerd?
Hope, I was not too late today. This worry was not for the bus, but it was for the seat. Alas, before that I have a target to achieve - "Crossing the road". Who will take that  subway or wait for the zebra crossing? I want to reach early, I can cross from anywhere whether I have to jump across the fences or run between the fast moving vehicles. Adjacent to that, I was thinking, I am not a good citizen. But for now, rather than following traffic rules, it is more important to reach at the bus stop on time.
After scaring all the drivers, I managed to cross the street. Within few minutes, I was on the other side of the lane. I proceeded fast, and finally, I was at the bus stop. Even after so much of struggle, I was not lucky enough to get a seat. People were hanging on the doors and some were standing on the toes. Even, I managed to stand in that bus.
Strange, how this conductor manages to move from one end to the other to sell the tickets. It is a difficult job, giving tickets, checking passes, moreover, remembering faces and returning change. Also, shouting at people and asking for change. Now, it was my turn. " Which stop madam"? I replied, "Electronic City sir", yeshtu ? Ipattu, he answered. I asked again, How much? 20 rupees maa.
 I always try to speak Kannada and on getting reply in Kannada, I have to come back to Hindi or English again. Atleast, I was lucky that the ticket is of 20 rupees and I don't have to fight for change.

And the next target - "get a seat." It is the toughest of all. Why? Minimum three person on each seat. Everybody's eye was on the seat. Even a slow movement of the seated person, alerts the passengers, who  are standing in the hope of getting seat, including me. If you are looking for a seat in a crowded bus, you should watch the seated person and consider the actions such as, unplugging the earphones, lifting the bag or purse, seeing the mobile screen, unfolding arms and so on. If you are unlucky, these can be merely actions which a person took to relax or make himself/herself comfortable and not for getting up.

(To be continue ...)

And the Journey Begins ...

As the clock struck 9, I rushed out of the house speeding hard to reach on time.Today again, the day was same and as usual the bus was crawling at every signal. People were looking tired and their eyes staring the light to turn green. Except the passengers, only two persons were relaxed, the driver and the conductor. Both seemed to be less restrained and were having a nice chat. I can feel their ease which was the same as I feel when a manager gets a call in a meeting. At last, the signal opened and the driver accelerated, chasing the bikers. Poor bikers, they don't know this bus can drive over them if ever the driver gets a chance.

Now what is that? Oh ! The signal again. I looked up and found a long queue. Sorry , I used a wrong word; it was a zig zag crowd which we can see anywhere in our country. And as somebody has said "Everybody is in hurry, but no one reaches on time.", everybody was trying to overtake the other and cross the signal before it turned red again. Like others, I was also puzzled and turned up to my mobile to check the time.It was 10 a.m. and I realized, I will be as usual late and reach at the same time.

All of a sudden, the driver was full of energy and the bus was moving fast, why not the driver got an empty road after an hour. As it was nearing to my stop, I got up, but the driver doesn't want me to take an effort of stepping forward, so he put on the sudden brake. I swayed and within a few seconds I was near the bus door. Like always, I stared him and didn't dare to speak.

It was social networking time now. Although, I was rushing towards my tech park, but as a tech savvy employee I can manage responding to the messages while walking.

(To be continued...)