Night at the Bus-stop

 

Shekhar, a service engineer, repeatedly checked his watch while meticulously working his tools. He had come to this factory at a remote location for the maintenance of a machine provided by his company. The last air-conditioned bus from the nearest village left in half an hour. He was running late, but was honest in his work and did not leave till his job was perfectly done. Once he packed his tools and bag, he gave a demo of the serviced machine to the factory manager and left.

 

He rushed to the bus stop. The stop was empty barring an old man sitting in one corner.

“Excuse me,” said Shekhar to the old man.

“How may I help you?”

“Can you let me know the status of the last air-conditioned bus?”

“You are late, young man. That bus left 15 minutes ago!”

“Oh God!” Shekhar looked up at the sky in frustration and sighed.

“Where are you headed to?” Asked the old man.

“Mumbai.” Replied Shekhar.

“You are in luck. A non-AC state transport bus should come in about half an hour. You can take that; I’m waiting for that bus too. You see, I can’t afford the ticket for the air-conditioned bus.”

“Thank you, but these state transport buses are really uncomfortable.”

“If you do not wish to travel in them, you might as well stay the night at the hotel. There’s no air-conditioned bus coming today!”

“I don’t know, I believe one may, I’ll wait!”

 

The temperature suddenly dropped and the breeze became cool.

“It might rain soon,” said the old man.

Shekhar joined the old man under a shelter built at the bus stop. He assumed the village folk would know the weather better than him. Just as the old man had predicted, it started to rain. Shekhar sat beside the old man, pulled his knees towards his chest and wrapped his arms around them.

“Why don’t you travel by an air-conditioned bus?” enquired Shekhar.

“We are village folk young man, not as blessed as urban men and women. We cannot afford such luxuries,” he replied.

“But do you wish to?” 

“Oh, I would love to, someday!”

“If you truly believe, that day might come soon,” replied Shekhar.

They waited quietly and patiently for their respective buses.

 

After around half an hour, they were startled by the sound of a horn. They looked up to see headlights approaching. The old man sprang up to his feet.

“That’ll be my state transport! You should probably board this one.”

“No, I’ll just wait, old man.”

As the bus pulled over at the stop, they were shocked. It was an air-conditioned bus that was off its regular route. The conductor alighted from the bus.

“Any passengers for Mumbai?” he yelled.

Shekhar sprang up to his feet. “Yes sir!”

“How is this possible?” Asked the old man to the conductor. “This bus isn’t supposed to be here!”

“You are right sir. Our regular highway route takes us past this village. We normally do not enter the village. But, since the bus is running with more than half the seats vacant, we thought it would be a good idea to take a detour in search of passengers. And look, we got 2!” Said the conductor.

“Just one,” replied the dejected old man.

Shekhar paid the conductors for the tickets and boarded the bus. 

“Come on sir, what are you waiting for?” asked the conductor.

“I can’t afford the ticket price of your bus; I’ll wait for the state transport.”

“The young man paid for both of you! Come on now!”

Tears welled up in the old man’s eyes. He could not believe his dream came true so soon. He boarded the bus and walked up to Shekhar.

“Thank you, young man,” he said, tears rolling down his eyes.

“I told you sir. If you really believe it can happen, it will. The universe will make it happen! I am just the means, chosen by the universe, to deliver your dream. Enjoy the journey!” replied Shekhar with a smile.