Bus rides in India is adventure in it self and this adventure gets trickier if one is going to place beyond, he ever gone before. The same old buses as millions use everyday run on the roads and takes you to places strange and distinct. It is said that whole world land has been discovered no we have space and deep ocean to explore, but this saying quite is not true for India. No one who lives here can claim to have seen everything even if he has traveled from farthest coast to highest mountains. The people and places appear strange no matter how well you claim to know the place. If you don’t believe then you should go on a ride through bus or a train and unexpected things will happen like those which happened to me when I was on a bus going to a village named ‘Thiru’ in the western Kokan region of India. Those who know the place knows that it rains a lot there, at least it did when I was there.
There are no direct buses from Goa to Thiru those rare creatures want to get there have to change 3 times. That means carry luggage out three times, ask strangers for help 10 times, put luggage back in 3 times and listen to some child crying and couple fighting a few hundred times. On my third and last bus I fell asleep. That uncle who was suppose to tell me about my stop was nowhere to be seen. I looked around and I was the only one in that bus, except of course the driver. He got up and walked to him to ask about my stop. He did not spoke a word. I would have tapped his shoulder but he did not seema friendly guy.
“Thiru? Can you tell me when it will come? I have heavy luggage so got to be ready”
It was dark enough outside to guess what way we were headed. He could have stopped bus killed me thrown me out and no one would have known. I kept asking him about the stop. he finally stopped the bus and pointed out. There was nothing but one bench and a street light above it. only one street light just above the bench and whole road is dark with thick jungle on either side. The lamp there was like a welcome call, ‘come here tiger get your dinner’
“Oh! I didn’t know my stop was so close. Sorry to bother… let me get my luggage”
He waited patiently. I felt bad for thinking he was bad person. I slowly got off the bus and stretched my back. After this long journey all I could think was grandmother’s food and warm bed. I turned to say thanks to the driver as he was still waiting patiently for some reason and I saw smug smile on his face, cruel and cunning. I knew I made mistake getting off but he closed the door at my face and drove away.
For situations like this a conductor is appointed and maybe there was one but when I was sleeping this driver killed him and threw him out. I was kicked out off a bus that not even his private property but at least I was alive.
I took out my phone it had 2% charging left as grandmother was the only member in her house there was no point calling for help. Phone would die before I could tell her what happened. I could call the police, but,
‘Sir I am lost’
‘Don’t worry child we are on our way don’tcry’
‘I am not a child’
‘Oh really! then walk home! we got other things to do here’
Even if police did come to get me still this would be point of amusement for almost whole village for years to come and new topic to taunt me by my parents. I decided to walk and that was enough, just the decision, and it started raining. I hid under a tree which surprisingly was good for stopping rain.
“Guess this night is going to be rough” I said
I could hear wheels sound as the bus was racing towards me. I was filled with joy and hope but this bus was from other way. It stopped and an old lady walked out of it. A man was helping her. I got to her and helped her under the tree. She smiled at me.
“Thank you” she said in her old lady voice
“Do you know how far is Thiru from here? I am going to walk” I added last part to show how strong I was. whenever I met someone who can’t beat me at something I try to show how better I am. This is not even intentional, it just natural reflex that make feel like a fool.
“Wait, wait……” she started searching something in her small bag made from old clothes basically a clothe tied around things need to be carried, “…. Wait, ah! Wait”
“Great! Yes, I am here”
Finally, she looked at me after a long time, “You want to go to Thiru, right?”
“Yes, how much time would it ta…” I was cut short when she pulled out her knife and held it to my stomach.
“Give me your money” she said, “Give me your bag or you won’t be able to walk to your Thiru”
I walked a step behind. But she stayed like that. I walked alittle more behind.
‘Ok she is blind’ I thought and threw rock at her back into the bushes
She got startled, “You don’t come near me. If you kill me, they will know”
“I am no going...” I was cut short again when she attacked in my way. Her skill was good but still she was 90 or so years old I got out of her way before knife reaching me. snatched it from her hand and threw it into the jungle.
“Don’t follow me! I will kill you” she said and started running away.
‘Strange people’ I thought and again started staring at the portion of the road visible because of the light and the bench bathing in rain. Clouds were still thick with no star visible even at the farthest end of the sky.
One car red as blood stopped in front of the bench. Its window came down slowly. one hand came out and the finger directed me to come closer. I would have stayed dry under the tree but that hand was of a woman and car could have given me a ride. I walked to it.
The woman who must have been a model asked me about a town whose name I could not hear clearly. That area to me was strange. She caught my expression and started rolling shut the windows.
“Wait I need lift”
“Ah no, no room”
Back two seats are empty. I just need to go to Thiru it is not far from here”
“Na-na Sorry”
“Just to some other bus stop, come on please”
Now that man driving the red beast spoke. His roaring voice almost deafen my ears, “Can’t you understand? Get off. stop flirting with her” and the car raced away. I was shocked head to toes for nothing. I walked again under the tree thought it made no sense tostand under it. I was filled with anger and humiliation night was not showing me any mercy so I stopped requesting it. I grabbed my bag and walked into the rain.
I had bought small torch from bus stop where I had stopped before getting into that terrible bus. It was just to help the poor child who was selling it. its light was short and its life was as unpredictable as the night itself. Only good thing was that my bag had wheels other than that there was nothing. My phone sure was dead, my bag wasn’t waterproof so all my clothes were gone, I hadn’t had anything to eat. In all that I almost had forgot that I was in a jungle. Alone in a jungle with weak light and fleshy body, with no one around. Only hope was that animals must be needing some light. It was dark as coal so if tiger attacked me all I had to do is turn off the light. But then there is smell, they have good nose. Then maybe I could fart and run around him farting. That will be confusing him and then I will run away. that was my master plan for the moment. how was I going to fart that much was still unclear, but once tiger come up machine might start working?
I had walked far from that bus stop and still there was no bus stop and no village. My flash light did lighten something. An old man in proper business attire was there looking for something. He was dry as desert. He looked at me and smiled
“Son, have you seen a colorful umbrella somewhere?” He asked even when he could see I was wet from rain and angry about his question.
“No!” I replied. I was angryon him because he was so happy and other important thing, he was dry. He didn’t need umbrella. I needed one, I should have been going around asking people about umbrella. ‘Why is he not wet? Maybe in his country they have made some jell to stop rain ruining your day. Still, he wants Umbrella! I would have shown him if he was not so old”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, can I go now? wait!!! Do you have car or bike? I want to go to…”
“Ah! You found it” old man said looking past me. I turned and there was a woman dry as summer and thin as skeletons she wore clothes black as night and a hat pointy and little tilted.
“If we hurry, we can see make it” she said in crispy voice
“You saved me again darling, sorry sir but we have to go now” he said looking at his watch, old but not rusty.
“So, you have car, I just need a lift” I said
“Sir look behind there is a tiger!” the woman screamed in horror. I turned and fell down in scare. I looked everywhere but there was nothing. Sure, enough as big flash of light came from behind that lit almost everything the trees and the road for a few seconds.
“Woman are you crazy” I said but there was no one to listen, “Hey! Hello!!!”
‘Were they ghost?’ I thought and was a little disappointed. First time ghost came to scare me and this was their method, ‘Look behind’
Walk after that was just exhausting and nothing else. Once a bus came rushing towards me but didn’t stop. I had screamed many times, “Stop!!!” but it didn’t. it drove past me just splashing water on my face. I wondered if that was the same driver. Somehow, I got to my destinationand just like almost every foreign tourist I said to myself, “This was some crazy journey. Others won’t believe what happened”
There are no direct buses from Goa to Thiru those rare creatures want to get there have to change 3 times. That means carry luggage out three times, ask strangers for help 10 times, put luggage back in 3 times and listen to some child crying and couple fighting a few hundred times. On my third and last bus I fell asleep. That uncle who was suppose to tell me about my stop was nowhere to be seen. I looked around and I was the only one in that bus, except of course the driver. He got up and walked to him to ask about my stop. He did not spoke a word. I would have tapped his shoulder but he did not seema friendly guy.
“Thiru? Can you tell me when it will come? I have heavy luggage so got to be ready”
It was dark enough outside to guess what way we were headed. He could have stopped bus killed me thrown me out and no one would have known. I kept asking him about the stop. he finally stopped the bus and pointed out. There was nothing but one bench and a street light above it. only one street light just above the bench and whole road is dark with thick jungle on either side. The lamp there was like a welcome call, ‘come here tiger get your dinner’
“Oh! I didn’t know my stop was so close. Sorry to bother… let me get my luggage”
He waited patiently. I felt bad for thinking he was bad person. I slowly got off the bus and stretched my back. After this long journey all I could think was grandmother’s food and warm bed. I turned to say thanks to the driver as he was still waiting patiently for some reason and I saw smug smile on his face, cruel and cunning. I knew I made mistake getting off but he closed the door at my face and drove away.
For situations like this a conductor is appointed and maybe there was one but when I was sleeping this driver killed him and threw him out. I was kicked out off a bus that not even his private property but at least I was alive.
I took out my phone it had 2% charging left as grandmother was the only member in her house there was no point calling for help. Phone would die before I could tell her what happened. I could call the police, but,
‘Sir I am lost’
‘Don’t worry child we are on our way don’tcry’
‘I am not a child’
‘Oh really! then walk home! we got other things to do here’
Even if police did come to get me still this would be point of amusement for almost whole village for years to come and new topic to taunt me by my parents. I decided to walk and that was enough, just the decision, and it started raining. I hid under a tree which surprisingly was good for stopping rain.
“Guess this night is going to be rough” I said
I could hear wheels sound as the bus was racing towards me. I was filled with joy and hope but this bus was from other way. It stopped and an old lady walked out of it. A man was helping her. I got to her and helped her under the tree. She smiled at me.
“Thank you” she said in her old lady voice
“Do you know how far is Thiru from here? I am going to walk” I added last part to show how strong I was. whenever I met someone who can’t beat me at something I try to show how better I am. This is not even intentional, it just natural reflex that make feel like a fool.
“Wait, wait……” she started searching something in her small bag made from old clothes basically a clothe tied around things need to be carried, “…. Wait, ah! Wait”
“Great! Yes, I am here”
Finally, she looked at me after a long time, “You want to go to Thiru, right?”
“Yes, how much time would it ta…” I was cut short when she pulled out her knife and held it to my stomach.
“Give me your money” she said, “Give me your bag or you won’t be able to walk to your Thiru”
I walked a step behind. But she stayed like that. I walked alittle more behind.
‘Ok she is blind’ I thought and threw rock at her back into the bushes
She got startled, “You don’t come near me. If you kill me, they will know”
“I am no going...” I was cut short again when she attacked in my way. Her skill was good but still she was 90 or so years old I got out of her way before knife reaching me. snatched it from her hand and threw it into the jungle.
“Don’t follow me! I will kill you” she said and started running away.
‘Strange people’ I thought and again started staring at the portion of the road visible because of the light and the bench bathing in rain. Clouds were still thick with no star visible even at the farthest end of the sky.
One car red as blood stopped in front of the bench. Its window came down slowly. one hand came out and the finger directed me to come closer. I would have stayed dry under the tree but that hand was of a woman and car could have given me a ride. I walked to it.
The woman who must have been a model asked me about a town whose name I could not hear clearly. That area to me was strange. She caught my expression and started rolling shut the windows.
“Wait I need lift”
“Ah no, no room”
Back two seats are empty. I just need to go to Thiru it is not far from here”
“Na-na Sorry”
“Just to some other bus stop, come on please”
Now that man driving the red beast spoke. His roaring voice almost deafen my ears, “Can’t you understand? Get off. stop flirting with her” and the car raced away. I was shocked head to toes for nothing. I walked again under the tree thought it made no sense tostand under it. I was filled with anger and humiliation night was not showing me any mercy so I stopped requesting it. I grabbed my bag and walked into the rain.
I had bought small torch from bus stop where I had stopped before getting into that terrible bus. It was just to help the poor child who was selling it. its light was short and its life was as unpredictable as the night itself. Only good thing was that my bag had wheels other than that there was nothing. My phone sure was dead, my bag wasn’t waterproof so all my clothes were gone, I hadn’t had anything to eat. In all that I almost had forgot that I was in a jungle. Alone in a jungle with weak light and fleshy body, with no one around. Only hope was that animals must be needing some light. It was dark as coal so if tiger attacked me all I had to do is turn off the light. But then there is smell, they have good nose. Then maybe I could fart and run around him farting. That will be confusing him and then I will run away. that was my master plan for the moment. how was I going to fart that much was still unclear, but once tiger come up machine might start working?
I had walked far from that bus stop and still there was no bus stop and no village. My flash light did lighten something. An old man in proper business attire was there looking for something. He was dry as desert. He looked at me and smiled
“Son, have you seen a colorful umbrella somewhere?” He asked even when he could see I was wet from rain and angry about his question.
“No!” I replied. I was angryon him because he was so happy and other important thing, he was dry. He didn’t need umbrella. I needed one, I should have been going around asking people about umbrella. ‘Why is he not wet? Maybe in his country they have made some jell to stop rain ruining your day. Still, he wants Umbrella! I would have shown him if he was not so old”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, can I go now? wait!!! Do you have car or bike? I want to go to…”
“Ah! You found it” old man said looking past me. I turned and there was a woman dry as summer and thin as skeletons she wore clothes black as night and a hat pointy and little tilted.
“If we hurry, we can see make it” she said in crispy voice
“You saved me again darling, sorry sir but we have to go now” he said looking at his watch, old but not rusty.
“So, you have car, I just need a lift” I said
“Sir look behind there is a tiger!” the woman screamed in horror. I turned and fell down in scare. I looked everywhere but there was nothing. Sure, enough as big flash of light came from behind that lit almost everything the trees and the road for a few seconds.
“Woman are you crazy” I said but there was no one to listen, “Hey! Hello!!!”
‘Were they ghost?’ I thought and was a little disappointed. First time ghost came to scare me and this was their method, ‘Look behind’
Walk after that was just exhausting and nothing else. Once a bus came rushing towards me but didn’t stop. I had screamed many times, “Stop!!!” but it didn’t. it drove past me just splashing water on my face. I wondered if that was the same driver. Somehow, I got to my destinationand just like almost every foreign tourist I said to myself, “This was some crazy journey. Others won’t believe what happened”
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