That's my crazy ordeal with the oh-so-famous DTC buses of Delhi. (For the uninitiated, DTC buses are plied by the Delhi Transport Corporation, and have a very nice reputation of killing people, driving rashly, rapes, eve-teasing et al.)
I had been in those buses twice before, but once with my grandpa, when I was very young, and once with my friends. So, basically I did not notice or face any crap before. I am doing my intern so to reach there I usually take a chartered bus which is very comfortable, picks me from my home(well, almost) and drops me till my office. As usual, I waited for it to come yesterday. Little did I know that it wont be the case. As soon as I realised that the bus wasn't going to come, I flipped my phone out, called my dad and said, "DA-AD, bus nahi aa rahi!" My dad said, "So?, Take some other bus till XYZ road, then take another one till ABC, turn right, ......"
ME: OH NO!!!!!
So, I boarded one bus, did not get a seat, obviously, was pushed, pulled, swung like a pendulum from all sides! And not to forget the leching bastards, they stare as the dog stares at the hanging peice of meat at the butcher's shop. I asked the conductor thrice as to where I should get down to get the best possible bus for my final destination. He said, "Arre Madam, mere par vishwaas karneka, main utaar doonga apko!" And I got my clue to shut up and not to irritate him further in the scorching heat. After much swinging , bouncing, I was finally dropped at a bus stop, where, according to the bus conductor the best bus would arrive. NOT, was the case. Yes, my very charmed good luck! I then asked a few people here and there, and they pointed to a bus stop which was two crossings later. I groaned, heaved my 10 KG bag (it seemed so!) and started walking that bit, a little later I realised, that it was a bit far for walking, so I boarded another bus for that short distance. It again, dropped me on some other side, the wrong one obviously, and I had to walk to the bus stop. I finally got onto the "correct" bus, and miraculously found a seat! (Maybe my luck had gone for it's breakfast, and it forgot that it had to be ruthless.) The conductor was a nice guy, he told me exactly what to do once I get off, and it was pretty accurate too. SO finally after 2 hours of dhakka-mukki I reached my office. It should have ideally taken me 40 minutes, but it took me two hours, not to miss the draining heat of Delhi, the oh-so-heavy bag of mine, the twists and turns in my stomach, due to the recent bout of food poisoning, and the unknown terrorising buses! When I reached my office, I checked into the loo straight away, thankfully, because I looked like one of those labourers who work at the construction sites all day long!
*Hats off to them*
The Good part of the day:
As soon as I reported to my boss, he asked me how I commuted that day and all, and I told him about my crazy ride, and he therefore asked me to come only TWICE a week! *YAHOO* AND, that he would drop me, as he lives nearby ;)
SO COOL! :P
The conversation:
Me: Sir, I had to change 3 buses and then take an auto to reach.
Sir: Aapko yeh sab karna padta agar aap ghar pe rehte?
Me: (Scared) umm..No sir.
He: Then just stay at home and come twice a week, and I'll drop you, silly girl. My wife also works here , so you can travel in her car. (The take two cars because of the working hours difference)
Me: (Want to do a whoopee dance) Thank you sir. (and leave)
P.S.: DTC buses did some good at last , haina?
P.S.: Not a fiction.
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