Bangalore Days !

Alert: Sorry to disappoint all the film-buffs, this article is not a review of the super-awesome movie Bangalore Days. I am just sharing a story of mine with you in this post. Happy reading.

It was yet another Sunday in the city of Bangalore. I had slept for the whole Saturday, so I had to do something. My smartphone showed 11:13 AM, Sunday and Mr. Sun was all high. The body was tired to sleep any further. I had to do something for the day. My routine for the weekend had become predictable; sleep, sleep and sleep. I was not happy any more to spend the day inside my room. I needed some freedom from internet, WhatsApp, movies and myself. I took a quick bath and was all set to go out for the day.

I made my way towards bus stop and sat on the bench. I took out my smartphone and googled “places to visit in Bangalore”. A BMTC Volvo bus stood in-front of me with LEDs displaying “360B KEMPEGOWDA BUS STATION” and the conductor shouted “Silkboard…Majestic…Majestic”. My planning was interrupted. I boarded the bus with unclear plans. I had to forcefully buy a daily-pass from the conductor.

The whole bus was empty, I mean, who wants to waste Rs. 70 when they could travel the distance in Rs. 25. Weekends mark lesser traffic, they say. The bus was empty and no passengers boarded the bus in the coming stops. The bus had reached Silk Board, I could have diverted my way towards J.P.Nagar/Whitefield but I was reluctant. A pretty lady boarded the bus and occupied the seat next to me. There were umpteen empty seats but she preferred to sit next to me. She was sober and didn't care to contact eyes with me. My smartphone had started shouting “Battery Low”. Smartphone batteries are more like our savings amount; before we rejoice the “Fully-Charged” message,  there is a “Battery Low” alert. After a while, she got a call from someone. She spoke for a while and hung up. I was still in my dormant mode to eavesdrop her conversation on phone.

“Are you in a relationship?”, She asked.

This question was totally unexpected of her. It was more like a Bangladesh-Kenya World Cup finals.

“What?”, I was shocked.

“ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP?”, She repeated.

“No. Why?” I replied.

“Obviously! Why would you travel all alone on a Sunday afternoon in a BMTC Volvo? You look so peaceful” , She said.

“I guess, I didn't get you. How about you? Are you in a relationship.”

“Leave me.  My answer to this question would spoil our conversation”

“Ufff! Chuck that. I wish, I had a girlfriend. My work and family commitments doesn't motivate me to have one. By the way, what's your name?”

“My name? Exchanging personal information would create prejudice. Stereotypes won't help us talk and let our heart out. Knowing someone is an indirect way of agreeing on a give-and-take policy. It creates expectation....So, you have a lot of work at office.”

“Weekdays, I work like a machine. But there are days in which I don’t have a single thing to do”

 “We, human beings, are the most complex creatures on this planet. Striving too hard to earn currencies so that one day we will attain satisfaction and be happy. In the pursuit of almost-impossible complete happiness, we spoil the present.”

I was liking this girl and her thoughts.

“I second that. We created these valuable pieces of paper which are ruling us. For me, leaving far away from my family, hometown, and friends concerns a lot. Financial stability and ambitious future plans make us do all this rubbish.”

“True that. Living a life in Bangalore where we don’t have anything that belongs to us is horrible. It’s a strange world you know.”

“What does it have to do with Bangalore?”

“I meant, a bigger city when I referred to Bangalore. I don’t have anything against this city. In fact, Bangalore is giving me rice and sambar…. I mean, bread and butter”,She giggled.

“Good one! My company helps me lead a life. It gives me a new lease in making me believe that I’m making a great difference to this world. I think, I am on my way to attain financial stability. I, kind of, like what I’m doing.”

“I’m not bothered about my work. I almost never relate to what I’m doing at office. But I’m happy that I can take care of myself, financially.”

“Hmmm. It’s amazing how we both share a common opinion. In spite of being totally unknown to each other, we have a lot to speak ”, I made my point (The flirt in me had started to come alive) 

“No, we don’t. Actually, we haven't had a long conversation as such. But we are trying to understand each other and deal without any prejudice or stereotypes. When you are dealing with a stranger with whom you have nothing to give or take, this happens."

"Agree. That's a very nice analysis"

 "It's Shantinagar. I was here to pick my parents. They are here to attend a marriage ceremony. Bye!”

She ended the conversation so abruptly. No clue at all. I was hoping for her to be with me till Majestic.

“Can I have your contact number?”

“Note it down”

“OK. Let me take out my smartphone and save your number”

The smartphone was dead by now.

“My phone is dead. I don’t even have pen and paper.”

 “No issues. It’s good that we remain strangers.” She smiled and walked away.

“As you wish” I said. 

I had reached the heart of the city and conductor shouted, “Majestic. Last stop! Last stop! ”

“Shit! I could have given her my contact number. Retard me!”, I said to myself after getting out of the bus.

PS: The talk ended before it actually started. Conversations like this make us feel good. The essence in this short talk was trivial and obvious but there is a sense of happiness. Few things are so simple but yet create a huge amount of joy. The human in all of us connects to others. We like to share stories. Personally I relish these moments. 

Thanks for your time. Drop a comment and let me know how you felt.To get the update of my posts and to follow me, click on "Join this site" button on the top left corner of the page.