autowale bhaiyya

Till I was in 10th, I don’t remember a single day I traveled alone. Okay I am not talking of traveling from India to Afghanistan but like from machua toli to macharhatta. The two Ms are places in Patna. …and my knowledge about different places here was same as that of a three year old’s or you can say worse than that. I mean even if I were kidnapped I could be safely kept in the fifth building to mine’s, I’d be wondering where on earth am I. Basically, I spent half of my day at school and rest at home. Life is different now. I mean I go out alone, that too on my own. It might sound silly but it’s quite an achievement for me. From coaching to everywhere I do the traveling without any known company. It’s interesting.

There is a rush for autos when 100s of students come out of coaching centers. Mostly jumping, skipping, dancing or somehow boys manage to attack autos. The one who are left are the girls or at least I am the last one left anyway unless the autowala with a heart as big as hippopotamus refuse the boys and offers the seats to girls. Yesterday, a person came next to us[me and a friend],-“kaha jana hai madam?” “X road!” “Toh aayi ye na, mera auto aage hai.” My friend-“cool yaar, itni jaldi!great luck, C’mmon.” My detective mind came to play. Kidnapping? :O I mean how can it be so easy, when there are so many passengers still waiting, you are invited as if Rabri devi is your mami. But before I could resist, my friend dragged me, I had no time to explain her. But 15 steps ahead an auto was waiting. We sat. The autowala started, two more boys(students) came, the autowala made them sit on his either side. Another came, he was about to sit next to us when autowala screamed-“ A A A idhar aao bhai! ” …and he sat next to where 3 people were already sitting. For those who’ve never seen what’s an auto is like let me tell you 4 people were sitting on seat which was meant for one.

Both of us exchanged glances. “Whats going on, exactly!” Till the time in the auto there were 6 people. 2 girls sitting comfortably on 3 seats and 3 boys with autowala on a single seat were hanging like guavas from mango tree. Okay, we weren’t dropped at fifth building to mine’s but to exact place where we had to. When we came out and paid the fare, the autowala asked with a pleased smile on his face-“ koi taqleeef nahi hua na madam? Hum sambhaal kar chala rahe the!” He meant he drove minimising the jerks on smooth roads of Patna. I frowned but could not help smiling, -“thank you, bilkul nahi.” The three guavas…err…I mean boys sat finally on 3 different seats and the auto was on its way. We exchanged glances nth time and burst into laughter scaring away the street dog who was comfortably asleep.

Girls do have advantages. Nahi? Well at least this incident made me feel so. Safe and sound I was at home. No I am not obsessed by ‘kidnapping’ but this incident is still fresh in mind.

Anyway…I hope we come across such autowala everyday. :D