It was one of my usual trips. Such trips to far off places from my native town used to last at least a couple of weeks.
This trip was something different. Never before I had experienced such unfortunate things one after the other. Strange it sounds to me even today that all this happened in the same trip.
I was travelling by train. I reached the destination twenty-four hours late.
I could not report to the guest house on time where I had reserved room for my stay and so my reservation was cancelled. Then I missed the dignitary whom I was to meet.
Finally when I decided to return home, then again there was another shock. My train had been cancelled and the announcement came only just a few minutes before the start of train.
Strange things were happening one after the other. When I decided to return home, I had to buy a ticket for a journey by bus. Bus ticket naturally cost me more. After I bought this ticket, I had practically no money left with me. I had gone shopping before I reported at the railway station and had emptied my pocket leaving only the amount required for food during train journey. I had to pay more for the bus ticket. And so, even the money I had set aside was spent and there was nothing left in my pocket.
The thought that I had no money in my pocket made things worse. I was tired and could not help feeling hungry.
There were problems in the bus too. I had a confirmed bus ticket which showed a particular seat allotted to me. When I was comfortably sitting in this seat, another claimant for the seat appeared on the scene. My arguments were to no avail and finally I had to move to one of the back seats.
Bus stopped at different places every two or three hours. Passengers came out. Bought small things, tea or coffee for themselves.
I didn't come out. I had no money left in my pocket. I was terribly hungry. For the first time in my life, I knew what starvation meant. I had a cup of tea and a piece of bread. Even this I bought only after confirming the price in advance.
Bus was speeding through mainly country sides. Some times through hilly terrains and small towns. It was pitch dark outside. My fellow passengers in the bus were all sleeping. But sleep eluded me. I sat a little disturbed, lost in my own thoughts. That I missed so many things in a single trip was my immediate worry. I could not find any explanation for this.
It was a few minutes past mid-night. Quite unexpectedly my bus came to a halt. Driver didn't appear to know the reason. He was trying to start the engine again. His helper in the bus joined him. There was feverish activity. But the bus was cold and dead. Driver was not able to revive it.
Slowly and slowly the passengers in the bus were realizing that the bus required mechanical intervention. Repair was almost impossible at that place and at that point of time. At midnight and again in a countryside location, a mechanic was not at all possible to be found.
But the bus driver stopped a truck passing by and left for an unknown place. When he returned, he had brought a mechanic with him.
It was then the turn of the mechanic. He made all possible attempts to mend the defects. But only in vain. Finally came his announcement, he could do some thing only next day morning when shops were opened and he got the spare parts required for the repairs. Once again I was shocked.
I could not imagine even in my worst dreams that so many things could happen in one single trip: at home gas cylinder was empty when I was about to start the journey. I had to rush to the dealer but he had no stock. I ordered one paying the money in advance. I was asked to wait till the next load arrived at the dealer's place.
Train travelled twenty-four hours late. That again was an unusual experience. I could not get any food from the train as the train was re-routed and was running through an altogether unfamiliar route.
I could not get my guest house accommodation for the reason that I reached place late.
Then I had the misfortune of finding that the dignitary who had given an appointment to meet him had left the town. Reason: I reached late by one day. The whole purpose of my trip was to meet him and discuss certain subjects with him for publishing the same as an interview. And my disappointment in missing his appointment could be better imagined.
Then the train in which I was to return home was unexpectedly cancelled.
And finally when I decided to travel by bus, the bus itself developed troubles on our way and we lost many hours on the road…..
And coupled with all these unexpected problems, I was also starving without food as there was no money left in my pocket. For the first time in my life, I knew how it is to go without food. At times I had intentionally skipped meals, but skipping meals for want of money was a new experience.
And now… to cap it all, we were on the road for almost twelve hours without food and water. The bus which went off the road at midnight was finally on the road only by noon next day.
…….. …………… …………… ………….
I returned home a tired man. I found that there were a few coins left in my pocket when I reached there. But here also, there was a surprise in store for me. The delivery boy had forgotten to supply the gas cylinder. And my family members were also practically starving…
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