Middle Class Instincts...

I see the train approaching Vile Parle at a modest speed, from the overhead bridge. "Paach saintaalis ki dheemi Borivali local, platform kramank ek par aa rahi hai" goes the announcement. I break into a run. 30 Steps to the platform, skipping one at a time. I see the hefty students of neighboring Mithibai, NM and Dahanu college mixing with Sathaye's skinny aspirants. Damn! Why do all colleges have to let go off the students at the same time?? Getting in the 6 pm local coming from Churchgate is next to impossible. I cannot miss this one. The train swooshes past me, as I am dodging past humans and sleeping dogs on platform 2. I have to reach the First Class dabba anyhow. I sprint ahead of "Late Smt Gaitonde Pyaau" and join the waiting crowd. Pulses racing. Hands sweating. The train is slowing down. We make way for the men jumping out of coaches. They know better than to get jammed in permanantly by the incoming crowd. All my attention is now focussed on the first class compartment. I pose as a runner, ready to shoot at the sound of the whistle. One wrong move can block me from entering the train. Or worse. My instincts push me forward. I jump in the moving train, grab the pole at the center of the door and pull myself in. At the same time, few other hands grope for the pole and the door, fumble, slip. I push myself inside, rubbing against sweaty, smelly first class bodies. Others follow suit. Mission accomplished, I say to myself.

6 years later...

The L bus turns round the corner and I see B bus waiting at the Quads. A similar pulse starts beating. This will be a toughie. L moves ahead, and I sigh to see it slow down at Quads alight stop. I look behind from the glass window. B has made it around the corner and is picking speed. I focus all my energies on making L shoot to Beck Hall. I pull the chain harder in excitement. "Ting". L makes a turn and slows down which feels like eternity. I stand against the closed back doors. The driver forgets to open them, and I shout "Xcuse me?" in exasperation. He obliges and jump out to see B floating past the Beck Hall turn. Run... Run like the wind! I climb the mound, slip in the wet mud, and sprint on the parking lot. B slows down to a crawl. "What if there are no students at Health Center stop?" Luckily there is one. He gets in as I am climbing the mound. "What if the driver hasnt seen me in the mirror??" He hasn't. The doors start closing in and I put my hand in the gap just in time. A bang, a shout and the doors open. A relieved yell of 'Thank you" and I take my seat puffing beside the pretty girl on the back seat.