Giggling Gals of 740

1/3/08
A wait of 25 minutes near RML Hospital appeared longer than an hour. Even when I was fasting for over 12 hours, I was not tired but definitely impatient. On a Saturday, as per my old habits that die hard, I neither use personal or official conveyance nor get into a three wheeler. Rather, to mingle with the common man and elicit his candid and often cruel critique, I prefer hopping into a Blue Line or occasionally use the Metro. This day was no different. My endurance, therefore, was bound to be tested.
2. It was a pleasure to see an infant in the lap of a young mother at the bus stop. Giving her company was a boy slightly older, seated close to a heap of ground nut. An old lady wearing a white ordinary sari was doing extraordinary business by selling seasonal fruits. People of myriad faces, heights and dimensions would throng the stop. In no time they would get out to catch the barely stopping buses. Some would succeed; others would be left behind to admire the beauty of the swanky bus stop, conveying the message “Commonwealth Games, only 1000 days away”. On the contrary, the opposite stop, still welcomed Monsoir Sarkozy, the French President, even after a month of his departure.
3. My wait having the correct dose of patience, perseverance and tolerance finally paid off when I saw a DTC bus. It slowed down but no one showed any inclination to hop in as it turned out to be a “Mudrika”, normally plying on the Ring Road. I resisted the temptation to get in as it would have left me half way. I exercised a degree of precaution in view of having been delayed for my weekly morning sojourn of Yoga due to sudden diversion of buses. The next bus became a sort of ‘mirage in desert’, but it was not a normal bus, it was a railway special. The third time, I was not unlucky. I almost got into a Blue line, till I realised that a large, green, hi-tech bus plying on 740 route stopped right behind. I made no mistake.
4. I was happy to see a sticker proclaiming that the gigantic bus charged normal fares of Rs. 3, 5, 7 and 10. My entry took longer as the automatic gate won’t open easily. I thought only a few of us were waiting for long. I was shaken virtually when I saw a group of giggling young, teen aged girls getting hurriedly into the already fully occupied bus. Before this service was introduced, the city Govt. had vowed to follow the capacity mode. “But it is Delhi, ‘yahan sab chalta hai”, remarked one old, haggard ‘Sardarji’, duly supporting his ailing wife, struggling to sip juice from a bottle. The five girls: Aishwarya, Kareena, Priyanka, Bipasha and Katrina missed no time in occupying whatever space was available. None took out her monthly pass or showed any intention to buy a ticket. Within 5 minutes, two of them, Kareena and Katrina, donning latest midi and frock respectively, managed window seats upon grabbing a God sent opportunity. It so happened that two senior citizens inquired about a locality situated much ahead, these “bright” teenagers, however, guided as if that was close to the next stop. They were naturally ‘advised’ to rush through. Needless to say, none of the divas, could, however, escape the vigilant conductor. Buying five tickets was the natural corollary.
5. The other three ‘musketeers’ were busy talking, gossiping and giggling to glory. Variety of talks were resorted to: studies, make-up, gol-gappas, strict Mummies, encouraging Papas, TV serials, the latest SRK, Saif & John movies, weather, tourism up in the sky, cricket down under, Chidambaram’s budget etc. Aishwarya, sporting a pair of blue embroidered jeans with a contrasting ‘top’, generally will speak less, nodd and smile more and would not argue. Bipasha, wearing a bright flashy skirt, was a confirmed chatterbox, not only in drawing fellow passenger’s attention but also in pulling her friends apart. She would make fun of every body and display the tantrums of a Jhansi Ki Rani. Priyanka was neither proactive nor subdued. She appeared studious, urbane, and fun loving in her figure hugging red corduroys.
6. Looking at these ‘dramas’, time frittered away. I was glued to this comfortable setting even while standing for an hour. The young eves would not allow any passenger to move or exit. Rather, they would be advised to promptly use the rear door, something vehemently opposed to by the conductor. I managed a lead, nevertheless, much to the discomfiture of Bipasha who gazed and stared, while posing to be thoroughly engrossed in reading a romantic Mill & Boons novel.
7. They say ‘even a dog has his day’. This writer, therefore, had to assert upon being pushed by an elderly ‘oversized’ couple. The girls too had to relent. Before the bus screeched to a halt, Aishwarya initiated a soothing melody. Priyanka, Kareena, Katrina, all followed suit. But Bipasha won’t budge. No one was looking at her, so she began looking outside, blowing a whistle. It was time for me to get down. The door once again took time to open. To my satisfaction, the elderly couple got at last a seat and thereby, perhaps, decided to enjoy further the “comforts” of the swanky bus.
8. The common feeling of adoration on the part of passengers for the amenities being extended in form of hi-tech buses, extension of metro, separate bus corridors, flyovers, underpasses etc. on the eve of 2010 Commonwealth Games appeared awesome and all pervading. Soon after getting off, I jumped over a piece of stone kept precariously near the bus stop. After all, I was wearing a brand new blue track suit, otherwise belonging to my naughty, teenaged son. I was in a mood to display some semblance of youth even on the eve of my golden jubilee. When I sat down finally on my office desk, a streak of smile would come over my face time and again, reminding me vividly of the giggling gals of 740, instrumental in providing a free, fearless and fabulous entertainment.