The Bus Ride – Mumbaikar

Akshat Golia

Bag Heavy, Arms tired, Umbrella open and half of you wet.

These words are sufficient to describe the condition of an average Mumbaikar when they
come to the bus stop. What followed is a daily routine of stepping ahead and ahead to see the
number of the big red noisy bus coming towards the stop, hoping that it is yours and empty.
Despite the daily experience, you wish it empty and just like thousands of other wishes of an
average Mumbaikar this one also goes in the trash. The bus is crowded and full, people are
swinging outside. The bus comes near the stop and you somehow try to gauge the speed of
the bus and the point where it will stop and then rush ahead to grab the handlebars first. You
fail, determined you push through the crowd around and somehow grab onto a part of the bus
just as that ting rings.

The driver in complete ignorance speeds ahead with you still hanging for your dear life. The
humble Mumbaikars pull you in and you try and place the bag in your front while at the same
time trying to avoid hitting someone with the wet umbrella in your hands. You Fail. Again.
Looks are exchanged, one of frustration and another begging of mercy. Somehow you grab a
handle and make your way ahead on calls of pude chala by the merciless conductor. The
driver breaks suddenly and you place your foot at weird angles to keep from falling. The
conductor comes to you for the ticket and you like a machine announce your destination
while struggling to find change and avoiding a hassle with the conductor. You Fail. Yet
Again. The conductor passes a snide comment while contemplating the lack of coins with
him. You decide whether you want to stick to your spot or change it. You look around for any
sign of a person preparing to get down at the next stop and there you see him, you move
toward that spot only to see it being taken by someone else. You curse fate and decide to
make the best use of time and pull out your phone. Engrossed in the phone you miss those
seats getting empty and then taken by someone else, which could have been you. You put the
phone back in and feel your pockets to ensure that your stuff is there. You look out of the
window to see the long traffic jam ahead. The windows of the bus are closed due to rain,
making it feel like some sort gas chamber used by the Nazis. The bus stops and a few people
get off, you see your chance and finally, occupy a seat only to find that your legs won't fit
properly. You adjust and take out your phone, plug the earphones and start the music. You
look around to see the plethora of people sitting around you, the kinds differ from the hotshot
college girls to the pandit of a nearby Ganapati temple. You look outside and get lost in your
thoughts. You distracted by the conductor and a passenger shouting at each other in
Marathi, you try to understand what are they saying but fail to do so. The en route
entertainment is served. The bus slowly makes its way through town. and the bus empties.
You see your stop approaching and make your way ahead or towards the back gate depending
on the number of people in the way and the position of your seat. The bus reaches your stop
and you get off. One more adventure is over. You wish the bus is empty tomorrow.

As an end note, I would just like to say that travelling in the bus is quite an experience and
one must try it out as is with the locals. The bus is cheaper by multitudes and is the perfect
way of travelling around the city. The buses are the veins to the arteries of Mumbai and just
as important as locals if not more.