An usual winter day, with sun shining brightly and calm cool wind blowing. A guy was busy making his presentation in his AC, SUV. As the day was usual and so was his work. He was on his way to attend a meeting in Mumbai. Yet he had a long way to travel. But unfortunately in a narrow, isolated, unknow place his car stopped suddenly.

Driver got down to see the problem while he was on his phone.

'Yup, yes I am on my way....no. I don't know, the car just stopped yup let me ask. I will try to reach on time. okay. Just a second. Hold'

He got down from the car.

'Isko time lagega ?'
(Will this take time ? )

He asked the driver.

'Saab carburetor mein kachara hai.'
(Sir something is choking the carburetor).

Hold on hold on.

He said to the person who he was talking to.

Bus honking sound...

Tapping his finger on the glass window he was thinking when suddenly he saw a state transport red bus from the side mirror at the end of the road. Probably there was a bus stop out there. Leaning backward to see the bus properly he made up his mind.

He said to himself while taking out his bag from the car.

'I will catch this bus and then should find a Volvo by the Expressway.'

He started walking when the driver shouted.

'Sorry Sir, par app iss bus se jaage.'
(Sorry sir, you are going to take this bus).

While he just showed his hand saying no problem and started walking.

He continued talking on his phone.

Yes, as you were saying.....

And so on.....conversation continued.

He reached near the bus to find locals people of the near by areas ie the villagers out there, having no choice he got in asking the conductor

Expressway jaage ?

Haa

The conductor answered cutting the ticket.

Kitna ?

110 paisa.

Jumping and hopping over the luggage kept on the way he finally got an empty seat.

Sitting on the window seat he finally took a long breathe to relax himself.

The Maratha men, gandhi cap wearing people, old men and middle age villagers with white or orange turban, woman with badni saree and their face covered or salwar suit, school going children and like wise many people were there in the bus. And he was the only one dressed differently with tshirt, blazer and jeans ie western outfit making him look an angrez (foreigner).

An old man with big glasses on, a stick in his hand and big white turban with  white local doti and kurta came and sat next to him. His wrinkle skin was a prove, of how old he must be surely, 80 plus.

The boy smiled looking at him who in return gave his toothless smile.

After sometime the bus started taking a route which he had not expected.

What ?? Yeh bus goan me kyu ja rahe hai.
(What ?? Why is this bus going on way of some village)

He shouted looking around to the road directly going towards highway.

He looked to his side to ask the man sitting next to him.

Yeh goan mein se jaage ?
(This bus will go from village)

The man looked at him just smiling not understanding anything.

What...ohh God

He said getting restless and crused under his breathe.

The man looked at him clueless which he noticed.

Never mind.

He said looking outside of the window. He didn't had any other choice he was stuck and there was no other way to reach the Expressway except the bus.

Counting on his blessing he kept looking out of the window.

After sometime he felt hot, he tried to remove his blazer by remaining seated which was not possible due to less space and hardly some place around, he stood up half benting down and took out his blazer from a weird angel.

AC nai hai.
(There is no AC).

He said laughing.

He tried to open the window but it was sliding and could be slide to this extent only.

Sighing he shook his head.

After sometime the old man sitting next to him bent completely over him to reach the window making him shock

Arrey kaka ? Yeh kya kar rahe ho ?
Kaka
(Ohh uncle ? What are you doing ? Uncle).

He said being bewildered while the man put his head out of the window to spit out his paan and tobacco.

Seeing this, he shouted loudly to stop him.

Ohh no, No kaka stop, No

He said being disgust pulling him back in, from his arm while his shouts had already created a commotion in the bus. Making some people giggle and laugh on the small play put up and others talking and gossiping among themself. In all the entire bus attention was on him and kaka.

There was a girl sitting on opposite column seat in the same row tried to gain the kaka attention by calling him.

Kaka, kaka

She said shaking him lightly while the other too tried to gain the old man attention who was unknown to the entire situation not knowing exactly what had happened and became such a big issue. He was used to, doing this. He stare at the boy who was wiping his things.

Kya hai ?

He asked the old man rudely while he mumbled softly something.

Haa okay.

He said continuing to wipe the spit out from his bag and hand.

Other people were talking in the background in their local language.

Kaka kaka

She called out one more time shaking him.

'Oyee kaka, kaka mulgi kya bolti kaka'

'Kaka samlu nako kya'

'Kaka baira ho ka'

'Oyee minsaab'

There were many people voice calling and saying stuff in Marathi, Hindi and other kachi language.

Kaka finally looked at the girl who very sweetly and patiently said

'Kaka mala vati taji blood pressure varti'

She said while laughing.

Thuku naka please'

(I think his blood pressure is high. Don't spit please).

She said sweetly making him understand while her voice made the guy look at her.

She was a simple girl with no make up but yet beautiful and so attractive, her voice was sweet like honey. Long silky black hair and her big eyes were most attractive, captivating anyone in them. She was dressed in simple light blue kurti with a silver neck piece, small jhuka, long multi shades colour skirt (ghara). Simple yet elegant was her attire. While her personality said volumes.

She looked away after explaining the old man, so did the boy looked away and then again towards her.

After sometime he exchange his seat with the old man sitting outside and the girl who already sat in the opposite row outside seat.

He looked towards her while she was busy doing her stuff.

On the next stop the school girl sitting next to her got down, that means the seat next to her got empty and she sat alone.

Taking out her book she started reading. But the catch was it was written in Hindi.

The guy looked in her direction again, starting a conservation.

'You meet all kinds on a bus'

He said looking at her while laughing softly.

'Plane me bhi har tarike log milte hogay.'
(You meet all kinds on plane too).

She said cutting him off rudely.

The boy nodded shaking his head while tapping his fingers on the seat.

And looked in the book she was reading.

She continued reading her book when he again interrupted her.

You have an exam to get to ?

He asked pointing out at the book while she looked at him being surprised.

She frowned at him while he continued.

'No, You are reading a book in Hindi so....'

He asked while she looked at the book and then at him again ignoring him she continued reading.

The boy felt embrassed he looked away sighing.

Tried hard to get her attention but no use.

He took out his phone but got no range, he moved it here and there but of no use.

After sometime he took out his novel and started reading.

The girl looked in his way to notice him reading something, she tried to peep in but the book was holded curve, in different angle not making it possible for her too read.

Moving from her seat she bent down alittle to see, after getting to know, biting her lips, she smirked.

She shook the boy to get his attention.

Hey, Hi again.

He said cheerful.

Exam kiley appko bhi Best Of Luck...

She said smiling genuinely while the guy smiled and said.

No...I am not a student

He moved his hand towards his face and said fun lovingly

I don't look that young. Do I ???

He asked making her laugh.

Nai
(Nope).

She replied back spontaneously.

So you see.

He said while her answer made him surprised.

Sorry, wo app angreze ki kitab par rahe thi na so es liye mujhe laga exam ki leyah par rahe hogay.
(Sorry, Well you are reading an English book......so I assumed it was for an exam).

She taunted him innocently making him realize his judgemental perspection.

Smirking she looked at him when he realized his mistake.

He made an O shape face and looked away being embarrassed.

While she moved inside on the window seat.

To be continued.....
____________________________________

First chapter done.

How is it ?

The journey is started yet many more up and down to come.

Till then

Take care 😊😊😊