Different Strokes

The anecdote I am sharing here, dates back to the year 2017.  

Being a modest earner, I have always preferred a shared vehicle.

Post Corona...I may change my travel habit ..have to change rather, and avoid share rides.

I was heading to office by a shared auto as part of my commutation exercise in the morning.

It was a Monday, I distinctly remember.

The auto was full to the brim, overflowing would be the right word.

The driver had three people on both his sides, against the permissible number.

The back seat had four hefty people including me.

The driver seemed to be unhappy and threw his cursory glance to the back seat, once in a while.

Perhaps, he was thinking to accommodate one more person, but had to cut down on his wishes. After all, size matters. 

I was the last passenger to get down that day, after being privy to all arguments, raised voices during the ten odd kms of journey.

The first person to get down was a young man. His due was only ten rupees.

He searched his pockets and consulted his money purse, all he could find was one Rs500/= note and a few Rs100/= notes.

He promptly took out one piece of Rs.100/= note and offered fare.

To this, the driver retorted " I do not have change, ok. I have just started my day. Had I known you only carry big notes, I would not have allowed you to board. You are wasting my time and others too."

The boy felt humiliated and in his desperate bid to pay off early, searched his shirt pocket and could lay his hands on a five rupee coin. The driver snatched the coin and sped away muttering some filthy words, leaving the bewildered boy on roadside.

I could gauge and feel uneasiness of rest of the passengers of the auto rickshaw. Disgruntlement was written large on their faces and like me perhaps, all of them were desperate to reach their respective destinations at the earliest.

Three souls, out of six left in the vehicle got down at the next stop.

By God's grace, all had more or less, good amount of change. However, there was a bit of annoyance, when one Rs.50/= note bore someone's name. But, the passenger, fortunately, found a replacement and matter could be settled without much hassle.

I was a little relieved thinking, the driver has started behaving.

But lo! when the two other passengers, barring me got down-my ordeal started.

He took the auto to one side, parked there and started looking for passengers.

I was late by then.

"Hello, why have you stopped? I am already late for office."

 "So what madam! I am here to earn my living. I am on the lookout for at least 2/3 passengers. You should have booked one vehicle for yourself "-was his curt reply.

I preferred to remain calm and kept quiet for a while, as I wanted to avoid unnecessary bickering.

Luckily, within five minutes, he got two passengers and last part of my sojourn ensued.

I left the auto in a huff after tendering the exact change, that I had kept handy much before my destination arrived, for, I was late for office and did not want to delay it further but not before throwing a frowning glance at him.

I begged apology and my boss allowed me to join after a subtle caution. I was asked to put some extra to compensate. I obeyed gladly.

"Next time, I am to start early, and gauge the driver's bearing before I board"- I made a promise that day.