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It's a Bumpy Ride!




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       I pretty much hate to commute by bus every day to my office. But since this mode of transport has it's own benefits too, I find myself in the crowd of passengers in the growing stream of traffic every morning. While most of the young ladies around me like to indulge in their phones, I like to poke my nose into various things in my vicinity. It may be another person's phone, or listening to their phone conversation which they have like a mumbling in their speaker. But some people are audacious enough to discuss gossips loudly too. And some others’ quirky fashion sense is there to get noticed quickly. 

          Those few seconds when you board the bus is crucial. There might be one seat destined for you that day. If you get on after other girls on the bus stop, you lose that one seat and the rest is left to luck. Then there are other tricks that you need to know in order to seize a seat. For example, you should stand in the middle so that you can spot the person who is preparing to get up easily. Be vigilant and notice the smallest move and know the stops where a maximum number of passengers usually get down. When you spot one, stand in such a position that you can keep your bag on the seat as soon there is some space. Then.. the seat is yours. I have had unlucky days when many people from my vicinity got up and I could not keep my bag on time and lost it to the luckier person for the day. At such occasions better admit that it is not your day.
         
         There is no way you can predict the traffic for a given day. On some days, it is like a stream. Looking out the window, you'll see many like you stranded, clueless and waiting. So you can self-actualise that you share your frustration with so many people who might actually be going for more important work. It is indeed a lesson in patience. No matter how much they all crib or bang their hands on the steering wheel, the traffic will move at it's own sweet will. This is also the time when you wonder what a swarm of people the city is. And each one of them just wants to get ahead. 
         
         The conductor is the most important person. He will make himself seen and heard. He has to fight on behalf of the driver in case someone picks up a fight for the bus not stopping on time. He will behave as if you will get the change for your fare only if he wishes to. He streams through the crowd of passengers to get the tickets. Sometimes he gets adventurous and hangs at the door to get people inside. He can withstand the tossing and tumbling of the bus without supporting himself. He's got great balance. 
        
           Not many people like such bumpy rides but I believe it has got it's advantages and lessons too. To me, it teaches a bit of discipline. And it gets me walking a short distance which I wouldn't do otherwise. And there’s nothing bad in getting little nosy, right?

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