THE BMTC RIDE

The traffic, the horns, the rush in the bus and the conductor screaming out. Yeah, that’s how a day starts for commoners in this city and that’s how we come across to see new people. 

Most of us prefer a window seat so that we can sit peacefully. At the same time we find few people who want to take the corner seat seeking help from the fellow passenger beside them to know when their stop arrives, . 

The young girls out there are laughing and making comments on their college professors and checking other girls outfits, having fun. The ladies are staring at those laughing girls and judging them as juvenile. The aunts out there are gossiping all nonsense about a third person. Beside all this, you see a young girl studying seriously for her exams even in this crowded bus, her determined mind trying to fulfill her dreams one day.

A small village boy sitting by the window is getting amazed by watching the city and telling his mother, “Mom! These buildings are so big!” That innocence in his eyes is worth a million dollars. That cute little baby on its mother’s lap, deeply asleep, unaware of what’s happening outside its small little world. The anxiety in the old lady’s eyes trying to find her husband who’s at the men’s side of the bus. The way the old couple were looking out for each other made me believe that true love does exist.

I saw a hard working guy wanting to take all his goods to the market. He kept on checking his goods, making sure they didn’t get damaged. I saw a woman, deep in thought. Maybe thinking of how she can feed her little children or about their future. The person beside her felt obnoxious, probably because of the poor clothing or the bad odour of the woman. But who knows, she might have not had proper food for days or might be fighting for her survival in this world where people give more importance to the materialistic elements than the living. We all are judgemental- some of us are loud and some of us keep it to ourselves.

I see variety of conductors with different slangs everyday. Some gentle, some frustrated and some impatient. We can find two types of people inside the bus, one who throws the waste outside the window or on the floor of the bus, and the other one who keeps the same in his/her pocket or bag. I see people chatting, snoring, thinking and people with earphones. Most of us have gotten addicted to a level where we give more importance to virtuality rather than reality. Sometimes I wonder just how different we are from each other yet so similar. 

I do witness many things that’s going on outside while I am inside the bus. I see a drunken person who’s sleeping on the footpath oblivious to what’s going on. Does he own a family? Do they think about them? Why is he lying down there? These are the different questions which come to my mind. 

Those small children playing out there, not even having proper clothes to wear, smile at each other and are enjoying the moment. I find that irreplaceable. Not even people who have all the basic needs in their life are that happy. We always think about what else we can gain. 

Those people who sell on the open footpath, waiting for some customers to show up and buy their products. I saw a sunglass seller with all the sunglasses covered by dust due to the traffic, but he was still sitting under the hot sun so that he could get some money by selling them. 

Those young guys with weird haircuts riding the bike at all different angles possible at a maximum speed with weird sounds. Some try to have fun to find happiness and some try to make others happy and find happiness in that.

Everyday is a new experience inside the bus, I get to see different people, new incidents. Some of them stay with me for a longer time. It’s our view on how we see the world.

The BMTC passenger

BLR

September 2017

PS: Yes, I know my English isn’t good here. This was my first public article where I let other people read my writings. Hence published it with its originality.

Thanks for the read. Have a nice day 🙂