I still remember, as kids in school, we were asked to write essays on topics like this (an unforgettable moment, an unforgettable journey etc etc). At that point in time, in order to score good marks , my mom used to give me a couple of essay books, ask me to skim through such topics, mug a few good lines and vomit them on the paper. I remember once asking my mom, “Amma, I have never had any such experience. How can I write? “To which she would reply, “U can write when u get such real experience in your life. For now, take help of these books.”
Coming to the actual point, yesterday’s journey from Bangalore to Puttaparthi was a journey that will remain etched in my memory. I was returning to my hostel after attending my cousin’s marriage.I reached Majestic from Electronic city by 3 pm and on reaching Majestic, I realized that the next bus to Puttaparthi is only at 5pm. I then immediately went to the railway station to check if I can catch a train. The station was jam packed. The reservation counter as well as the unreserved tickets counter had queues which were almost a 100 meters long. On enquiring, i understood that the this sudden rush was attributed to the people wanting to travel within the state for celebrating “Dasara” festival. I would have to wait for atleast an hour and half. So, I returned to the bus stop. It was 3 30 pm. I still had time. So, I kept my luggage in the cloak room and went around Majestic area exploring the place. I came back by 4 45pm and the bus was standing. All the while the only thought that was lingering in my mind was, “I must reach hostel before 10 pm.” I boarded the bus and it was only then did I realize that this was a shuttle bus service i.e. it would stop at every possible place and I could reach hostel by 10 pm i.e. it would take 5 hrs to cover a distance of 140 km…I had no other option.
Fast forward to 7 45 pm. I still haven’t reached the Andhra border; the bus is now taking a right turn from the highway to enter the town of Bagepalli. The bus stop arrives, the driver gets down to have his cup of tea, the conductor is casually chatting around and catching up with friends. The guy sitting next to me is talking on the phone in fluent English. He finishes his conversation and I try to strike one with him. He is some research associate in R V Medical College in Bangalore working on cancer treatment. He is a native of Puttaparthi, name’s Prasad. He too wants to get home fast as this bus would reach only by 10 45 pm. Now that was a bouncer ball. The engine cranks back to life at 8 pm and we hit the highway again. Prasad tells me that the bus would stop for dinner again for half an hour at a place called “Koduru” which is the check post. He is gonna get down there and change bus or catch an auto to another place “Gorantla” and from there use some other mode of transport to go to Parthi. Koduru is atleast 5 kms away. He gets up and is about to leave. As he takes leave and goes to the door, my mind starts analyzing pros and cons of me following suit i.e. how about joining that guy and I instinctively get up and join that person……………….well what happens next is an experience of a lifetime.The experience had a mix of emotions: fun, thrilling, scary and adventurous.What happened actually after that???Did i get down from the bus???Was that guy some bad guy(goonda)????
watch out for my next post ............picture abhi baaki hai mere dost………….
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