Rain , the cry from gods in heaven which makes the city
dwellers swim in misery. Rain is not welcomed by all with the same enthusiasm. The
movies have always been misleading us ,just showing the polished side of
reality life .Beautiful girls getting drenched, running for shelters, small
kids looking up the sky wishing it rains more, so schools does not work the
next day is just a faction of reality that happens during this time. There is
always an untold story that every rain gifts, not in a fancy wrapped, ribbon
tied present but the surprise package that you can’t say no to.
Like any metros in India, Chennai has autos (also known as
auto rickshaws) that play an integral part in the metro's life. But the new breeds
of autos called SHARE-AUTOs are bliss for commuters when it comes to hopping
off short distances for cheaper rates. I too became an integral part of this
traveling community when I started to work, which happens to be not so long
ago.
The ride is a mixed experience, depending on which seat you get, as that plays a vital role in which joint of our body is going to experience the maximum fatigue. On the contrary the ride is really annoying when I have to share seats with those women folk, who would give that disgusting look which I always try to avoid. But everything changed one fine evening, when sky turned dark and the city turned its back. Chennai is a city not designed for rain; water just gets stuck up in every corners of the street and making the people choke literally. Setting the target to get home in time, I knew I was setting something that had no scope for execution. The mission IMPOSSIBLE was on.
Three travel modes, bike, train; bus/auto is how I get
to work. Everything was just fine until the rain god showered his blessings.
Off from work with my cap on and an umbrella in hand I rushed past the gates.
The clouds sounded better than atoms surround system and I did not want to take
chances. There came a Share-auto and I felt better but that was a wrong emotion,
one has to peep into the auto before deciding on what emotion to log on to
until next couple of minutes.
The share auto was full, but I was given a great invitation
to share the driver’s seat. I did not hesitate. Trying to squeeze both butt
cheek into the seat, and trying to hold on to a support I nodded . He pushed
the throttle, one cheek slides out, hand kinda slipped but still I was well
inside the roller coaster without any seat belts. The rains just flooded every
corner of the road; the three Wheeler was just doing fine. The building traffic
was another add-on to the misery. Everyone wanted to surpass the signal, rush
home fast. Why was that for? Is it to watch their favorite heroine’s rain dance.
Yes, maybe I thought. But my mind was focused on to fight for maximum seat share.
Ride was pretty much quite, so I tried to look around. That
was not much difficult, as my legs and hands were comfortably outside the
closure. The only good thing about my office travel is its around the IT corridor
so it’s just one stop shop for ogling. But most time I miss out either because I’m pushed
in to take the inside seat or I'm not in the mood most of the time. But today's
was not like any other day. There were a lot of young smart; charming girls
that I did not realized that I had missed out for such a long time.
As the Auto forced itself forward, just pushing around, the
traffic and flooded road I just realized that water level was rising in. The
fellow commuters were kind enough to speed, that they had a remarkable
contribution in splashing water on me. Trying to ignore the disaster I tried to
focus on staying in the auto no matter what .The auto stopped for two people to
hop on. The lady was quite charming, but the other guy could be a
definite threat to my butt’s seat share I thought. Worse phase was just on the
guy who got in, also got into the driver’s seat on the other side. Now 3 guys
shared the driver’s seat, though only one was driving. So now my command over
seat is virtually off, the roads were not helping either. The traffic was icing
on the cake. Still I was happy about the part that I was moving, making
progress in the first place. So nothing just got into my head, the safety, and
the threat anything at all. After all Indians we are.
As the share-auto throttled up, swiftly in between the
corners and gaps one thing I noticed was people staring us. (Us here is our
auto) I just turned back; there she was the wonder woman who was attracting
attention. Turning back, was difficult, a threat to my life even, so I gave
this ogling opportunity a miss. But what annoyed me were the other people
starring at her. May be it was because I could do that, but it was mainly how it
would make people feel that concern me that time. Is this how some jerks stare
at woman? That's disgusting. The divine intervention just did the magic here.
Traffic signal, we passed through and that insane jerk was trapped. After all,
this is how life is, good versus evil. Getting off at my destination and I
just looked at her, she was indeed a wonder woman, literally.
Heading my way I got onto a train and reached my place. Here
awaited my next challenge. Here it was a scooter ride in the rain. Again no
helmet, no rain coat the crazy Indian decided to start once again. Zooom I
started off putting myself right into a big puddle of water, splashing on the
dirty pool right out of my way. But I made sure there wasn’t any one beside me.
This made me realize it was not just rain dancing heroines that propelled my
fellow countrymen to zip-zap-zoom during the rain, splashing water is real fun.
Like ‘one size fits all’ T-shirt, its one act satisfies all deed.
The rain god started to show mercy may be because I didn't annoy the angel who sat near me during my last ride, that's the reason I started my scooter in the first place. But as I zapped around the traffic, and stopped for the traffic signal, lashed at me the water from heaven, without any mercy proving my theory wrong. Getting drenched was not my concern but my glasses! I’m literally blind without my glasses. Even the tiny droplets of water that sticks on, just gives wild images and wrong signs. All that I will see are just red stop lights of ever vehicles rear. The real misery is I can't see vehicles, I can't see the people who ride them (if you know what I mean)
When man decides something, destiny just gets on its way. In
spite of my slow speed, the Japanese engineering did not want to join hands
with me for perverted mind, off went the engine. There is a strange
connection between me and my scooter (Honda aviator) it just listens to my
intensions. But it only to the good ones, that was the downside. With great
regret I hopped off. Pushing me and scooter to the corner of the road, I stood
still. What a stupid way of life I thought. After a few minutes gazing into infinity,
an old lady caught my attention. Every vehicle that passed her, splashed water
on her. I felt bad, but still what could I do. Trying to start my scooter,
thinking that if at all it starts, I'll help her reach where ever she wants to.
Miracles do happen when one least expect them. Taking a U-turn to get to the old
lady, I noticed her opening a gate and getting into the house. With a great
smile on, I started off to my home which was not far away.
That night before sleep I realized, life throws on a million
experiences for us to learn. It’s what we take away from each that makes what
we are. That Rain drive was one hell of drive. Only regret, that wonder woman
after all. In pursuit for my next amazing journey, I looked at the next day’s
weather report, rain with thunder storm it said, with just an umbrella I boarded
the public bus destined to the marina beach.
