The Breakdown

Third trip to Chennai in the last ten days. Short and sweet one – just 1.5 days. “Thank you Anna” I greeted the driver as he handed over a water bottle as I boarded the bus. My own little space – “probably nothing to write today” I smiled as I settled to read some articles. Slowly my drooping eyes pleaded to take a break. I slept for a while. Unusual no jerk disturbed me. I woke up to see the bus standing still. I could see a tea shop from the window and thought it was a break point until I realised it was a break down!

I got down the bus to get the heat of the scorching sun near Walaja. 5:45 pm – the clock reminded; the sun still laughed wickedly. Droplets on my forehead – reminds me of the tough times outside that I didn’t know sitting in the AC. Passengers from the bus got down one by one. Some made noises too.

I walked towards the tea shop to get the strong aroma of coffee that tickled my senses and forced me get one. As I sipped it, I moved around. My eyes seemed to be energetic by now.

Young couple holding hands, old couple walking together, mom with adamant child asking ice cream, friends group chatting over tea, families with kids running around, singles gazing outside and many different characters around.

I placed the cup back and walked further. The divider seems to blush and turn pink. I noticed the unnoticed “Bougenvillea” all over the divider on the highway that decorated the dry land. “Is she the unappreciated employee who was left unnoticed” I smiled. She seemed to sway with the wind and dance to the tunes around without waiting for her big time. She looked beautiful!

As my eyes seem to run further, my wandering mind finally followed them to see the far distant majestic beauty – the mountain. He seemed rocky and strong and proudly stood penetrating the sky as far as he could. The trees seemed taller than him from a distance and little did he seem to care as he knew the reality. “Mightier and stronger persons need no words; I can withstand the rains, the wind and the scorching sun” he seemed to smile!

I saw a security person of a restaurant nearby who ran to the roads now and then to show the green lights to signal the hotel is open. For every try of 10s he’d get one or two. He never gave up but relentlessly tried. My forehead droplets put me to shame looking at his energy. Dawn to dusk, dusk to dawn – this must be his job – amidst the monster sun! His dedication and passion at work is shown by his energy. Probably he has the other cribbing side too. However his current state shows he masks all difficulties and works sincerely. He must have a family too; he has his responsibilities as a son, husband, dad – could be. Everyone has a story for sure! The droplets shifted from my forehead to eyes now!

The wind seemed to try to convince the heat; she seemed weak as the heat overtook her but still she didn’t let it go. She tried and tried and I smiled at her efforts with gratitude. The simple care was what I needed to get away the heat and she made it!

A group of people, trying to fix the issue in the bus. Surprisingly, it was just not the driver, cleaner and mechanic but a group of passengers too. Youngsters energetically held the tools, performed small tasks and helped the mechanic. The mechanic was lying completely on the muddy road that had too many stones. “Won’t it hurt him?” – “are you a stupid? Is he not a human- it would surely hurt him” – amidst this difficulty he was trying hard to fix it. Some passengers inside just made noises without knowing what’s happening outside – typical society!

Almost an hour and the driver put back the keys – “vroom vroom” the bus was regaining his strength. “Pom Pom” the horn merrily celebrated the victory. “All break downs in life are just temporary and we can still arise strongly” the Bus smiled at me imparting its lesson. Passengers slowly started moving towards the bus.

“Thank you Anna. Your jobs are difficult” I smiled at the driver and the mechanic as I got into the bus. They bowed with closing eyes and a smile. As I looked at the maps, it showed me 3 hours and 40 mins to Bangalore. Losing this one hour didn’t make me lose a major business. Probably I’ll just have one hour lesser sleep or if I’m lucky the traffic in the city of Bangalore would have gone to sleep as I reach late.

We humans are in a hurry burry and fail to use our six senses. A breakdown is needed for all of us; to smell and feel the aroma of a simple coffee; to listen to the lessons of nature; to see what the people around us go through; to feel the warm wind that tries to soothe us amidst the scorching sun; to appreciate the little things around us; to smile and say thank you to those who help!

A breakdown that was worth the while made me smile!