Episode-1: To take part in most special day of my dearest pal’s life.

Prathima – a close friend of mine. We entitled her as Hospet and Military. The reason being she did her first year of engineering in Hospet and other coz she was the only one among five of us, who was well-organized in completing assignments and preparing for exams it could be Practical’s-Finals-at last even internals. She used to prepare from day one and we day b4 exams.

She was the first one to get self trapped in big hole so called “Saath Janmonka Bandan”. If I have to say in simple words, she was getting married. :) ??? !!!

I booked bus tickets to and fro Bangalore/Bellary on 11th of Dec 2006. I took BMTC bus from koramangala to KGBS and reached by 2130 hrs. The station was too crowd and did not even find a proper place to stand. I was waiting for my bus which was supposed to depart at 2330 hrs at platform 3. Soon I sensed a guy was staring at me to my right at around seven foot distance. I did not care much thought even his destination would be the same. For a moment I was relaxed coz he seemed to be 40+.

The first sentence he uttered was
Where you have to go?
Me: Bellary
Uncle: Are you studying?
Me: Nope. I am seeking for a job
Uncle: Are you a graduate?
Me: Yep. B.E
Things did not get over my nerves till he asked me the next one.
Uncle: What’s your name? Are you travelling alone?
Me: I gave one evil stare and said it’s none of your business
Uncle: somebody is following you?

I was like what??? He singed with his eyes towards a guy who was standing opposite to me. I turned my neck to my left to check is there anyone left out??? To my bad luck one was staring at me from other end as well. I learnt that I was covered by a triangle (didn’t bother was that an Equilateral, Isosceles or Scalene) outlined by three monsters.

I was frozen for a moment. My heart was pumping so fast with terror, and then suddenly I went blank. I had no thoughts. I just started to walk in KGBS from platform No.1 to platform No.23. I wonder was that a night walk..??? I decided to stop by at each shop and started shopping Chocolates, Biscuits, Magazines, Bisleri. Guys I am not a shopping freak but I was left with no option to keep myself busy interacting with people.

I was wandering around aimlessly and completed two rounds of night walk in KGBS. I looked at my watch it said 2240 hrs. Oh my God…it was running dead slow. One thing I did not realize in crowd is that they got behind me. Somehow I sensed monsters getting much closer to me and then I thought it’s high time now I have to do something. I decided to stand in the centre of KGBS.I started to look for TC, by now my watch read 2315 hrs and bus has not arrived yet. :(

At last my eyes were caught by savior who wore orange jacket with note pad-pen in his hands and whistle in his mouth. Savior you got right! that was TC. To my bad luck even he turned to be a fourth monster to me. When I asked him when the bus will arrive which was supposed to depart at 2330 hrs?

Savior: Traffic jam, it will come. The one reason everyone gives in Bangalore.

The needles in my watch were hitting 2400 hrs. My fear level was getting high and by now I have enquired around 6 times. On other part these monsters were giving guest appearances now and then like Kajol in 3 Idiots.

I lost my temper and went to fourth monster he was no more a savior.
Me: sirrrrrrr…..
Fourth Monster: What?
Me: Bus?
Fourth Monster: I don’t know.
Me: What?
Fourth Monster: Why are you asking only me? Go and ask others as well.
Me: You are the TC here. Not every other Tom-Dickey-Harry. It’s your responsibility to know the things and help people here accordingly. If in case you have adequate info why don’t you make an announcement saying bus will be late for so and so reasons…? Do you have any idea about kind of issues public faces here while traveling alone? specially gals!!!
Fourth Monster: Will enquire and vanished from there.

I realized second monster was standing next to me. My heart started pounding pretty badly. For a moment I was on cloud nine coz I saw police man opposite to me.

Police- I don’t wish to give much explanation about him, in simple words the one whom we see in daily serials and regular films :( fifth monster.

Me: sir, those three are following me from 2 hours and troubling me a lot. He did not utter a bloody single word. That was the time I realized this is INDIA.

To my luck the second monster disappeared as well, may be that was coz of the power of Kaki uniform if not for cop. Then I found few co-passengers who were waiting for that Dakota Bus to arrive. Finally bus arrived at 0030 hrs and I took my seat and my first peaceful breath in 3 hours time.

Finally I left Bangalore at 0045 hrs…

In the whole scene I would have called any of my cousins or friends for help but it was such an odd time and I am not the soul who will seek help until unless I can’t handle it myself. :)