I was late.. Damn Late.. Network was up... Routers working fine but I was late and missed the company bus .This was not the first time I missed the company bus.
‘Electronic City, Electronic City’, shouted one cab driver. I came out of my reeling thoughts, darted towards and was soon in cab. Oh man. Comfortable enough to attend team meeting held every Monday, I was kinda relieved.
It was a white Indica, worn out at few spots through the rude Bangalorean Traffic. Well cushioned seats welcomed passengers. A Karthikeyan Idol was on dashboard. And a small pic of Rajinikanth stuck on a window. A card hung read ‘Name: Muruges age: 25’ about the cab driver bearing the driver’s passport sized pic. A recent one.’ Typical cab driver’ I thought to myself.
I was seated in front seat. The driver cussed ‘Damn these politicians. No peace of mind. MFs have created havoc amongst kannadigas and tamilians’. I looked at him. He was in plain white faded uniform. A dark face with oiled curly hair with bushy locks, sharp nose and small eyes. Moustache was dominant on his face and was demanding a reply from me. ‘Yes, that’s why they are politicians ‘I said. I usually start getting socialized with people but this time the driver had started. May be I was little dumb that day. He introduced himself with his name in tamilian accent. Gave his hand and shook my hand, he was devil in balance at traffic. He’s a master at driving I noticed.
That was the first time I met him. I kept missing my busses and he would be there to drop me. I got to know lot about him. He’d left his home at Salem for good, seeking his future in Bangalore. Had a DL, so drove people from places to places. The earning would go to owner of the car and he’d get part of the earning for him and thus made a living He’d said. We discussed movies, politics, Cricket …He was kept up with all sorts of information. I noticed He was a big, all time movie buff.. He’d explain me stories of movies with lots of exaggerations and never ever got into climax. He’d keep it Suspense and would insist me watching it. Choreography, camera motions, narration he analyzed everything about movie. I bet if he was in celluloid, he would mint money. Muruges was a character. I liked him for his innocence and simplicity. A chat with him would make my day .May it be praising someone’s kindness, sympathy for unprivileged or blasting corrupt cops with obscenities of course at their back , he was just super man..
‘MF cops would snatch all money we earn, they shall go to hell. Sir, you just see, someone will run his vehicle over this particular cop and soon he‘ll be a history ‘Muruges used to cuss. His face real serious and voice like a ghost. Sometimes he would enquire me about my salary I draw. I always kept it secret. Poor guy tried all tricks in bag, but always failed. ‘I will definitely get the information about your salary, Sir’ he’d owe. I chuckled.
For some days I used to get into company bus on time. Life with networks man. You will forget yourself. Configurations, system balancing and protocols ooffff. Muruges was forgotten. Sometimes I kept searching for his cab on roads while I was traveling on bus.
But alas, not a sight. It was few months altogether.
It was a Saturday and was raining; I just had shopped and was waiting for any damn vehicle to move me to my place. Couple of dresses and an umbrella, with a good bargain were in my bag. And lo a familiar cab stopped near by . It was my good old friend Muruges .I thanked him for noticing me. I smelled something bad with him. No usual smile, no usual talkative gesture. I never saw him like that. He was in bad shape.
‘What happened Tambi..?’ I enquired. (Tambi means brother in Tamil I would address Muruges sometimes, he felt happy he said) .He was weak. Face was pale and really was not the same Muruges I met months ago. ‘Why god is cruel with me Sir? ‘ he demanded as if I was god. ‘I lost my dad when I was kid and wanted to study and become someday employee of a big company like you. I could not.’ I had no answer.
‘I had to take up responsibilities of feeding my family, three sisters and two younger brothers. I never complained with god. I loved them and they loved me and I was happy ‘
I still had no idea what he was about to tell. I kept calm. I observed he was too emotional and could not be controllable. He continued ‘Sir, you remember Pramila?’ ya sort of, yes I remembered. Pramila was his lady love. Somewhere in Bangalore she worked for petty shop. He had mentioned many a time. I used to see a spark in his eyes and gradual change in his voice whenever he spoke about Pramila. He never used to skip his duties for Rajini Movies but yes, he had skipped few days of work for his soul mate, Pramila. ‘Yes I remember her tambi ‘I said, ‘what happened to her?’
He cried. I said him to park the car nearby. I was getting late, but not a problem. Besides Muruges needed me. Darted at a juice shop ordered for couple of water melon juices. Muruges still was inconsolable. Eyes had become puffy. Drank the juice slowly, and was ok after couple of gulps. ‘She is getting married this month end ‘he admitted. ‘Geez, Love failure uh? ‘ I said to myself. He continued ‘ she doesn’t call me now a days, when I called her she refused my love ..Sir , it was really unfair with me. I loved her so much ..and now She is getting married .. ‘ He sighed, took a deep breath and continued ‘ problem is not with she getting married sir, she refused my love for her , that I could not digest… I love her … now how shall I forget her? ‘
It was a tough question. Real damn uncrackable mystery. I had no answer.I could not even come up with a positive note for the poor chap. I myself have troubled days finding the answer. The puzzle, a zigzag puzzle of arranging broken split heart…!!! Tough one.
Rain had stopped.
It was long time I met him since then. My life was moving on with same stupid devices and configurations. I earned bread and butter. Life was cool with me. Again one day I missed company bus.
Muruges, was in driving seat. But this time different. Same cheerful smile. And same talkative gesture. ‘Sir, I am returning to Salem forever.. I got a good job there .’ I was not in terms to accept that. But he was happy. ‘What about Pramila ?’ I enquired . ‘She is happy with her husband; I saw them near forum last time, Sir. I am too thinking of getting married..Sir ‘He was confident. Stern eyes with crystal clear voice. That was the time, first time ever I reached so soon. No traffic jams, no signals and no street fights. ‘ I will not be meeting you again I guess Sir, it was nice meeting you sir, you are a gem of person , spoke with a person like me too.. You are really warm………..
I was in my own thoughts. ‘What should I say ? should I stop him to stay in Bangalore ? or congratulate him for forgetting Pramila and moving on with life ? ‘ I was confused and was paying the fare . Muruges refused the fare and enquired about my salary for the last time. :)
I refused to disclose it. And told him next time he meets I’d tell him. He smiled ‘ Sir, If I am blessed with a son or daughter I would really make them as you , a Software Engineer’ His teeth were visible, most of them. He waved his hand and disappeared from my sight to the place unknown as I Stood there with 10 bucks in my hand…………….
I was standing there stupefied..!! He forgot ‘her’ and moving on with his life..!! What a Climax.. probably I should have disclosed about my salary .. to mess with his climax..!;)
‘Electronic City, Electronic City’, shouted one cab driver. I came out of my reeling thoughts, darted towards and was soon in cab. Oh man. Comfortable enough to attend team meeting held every Monday, I was kinda relieved.
It was a white Indica, worn out at few spots through the rude Bangalorean Traffic. Well cushioned seats welcomed passengers. A Karthikeyan Idol was on dashboard. And a small pic of Rajinikanth stuck on a window. A card hung read ‘Name: Muruges age: 25’ about the cab driver bearing the driver’s passport sized pic. A recent one.’ Typical cab driver’ I thought to myself.
I was seated in front seat. The driver cussed ‘Damn these politicians. No peace of mind. MFs have created havoc amongst kannadigas and tamilians’. I looked at him. He was in plain white faded uniform. A dark face with oiled curly hair with bushy locks, sharp nose and small eyes. Moustache was dominant on his face and was demanding a reply from me. ‘Yes, that’s why they are politicians ‘I said. I usually start getting socialized with people but this time the driver had started. May be I was little dumb that day. He introduced himself with his name in tamilian accent. Gave his hand and shook my hand, he was devil in balance at traffic. He’s a master at driving I noticed.
That was the first time I met him. I kept missing my busses and he would be there to drop me. I got to know lot about him. He’d left his home at Salem for good, seeking his future in Bangalore. Had a DL, so drove people from places to places. The earning would go to owner of the car and he’d get part of the earning for him and thus made a living He’d said. We discussed movies, politics, Cricket …He was kept up with all sorts of information. I noticed He was a big, all time movie buff.. He’d explain me stories of movies with lots of exaggerations and never ever got into climax. He’d keep it Suspense and would insist me watching it. Choreography, camera motions, narration he analyzed everything about movie. I bet if he was in celluloid, he would mint money. Muruges was a character. I liked him for his innocence and simplicity. A chat with him would make my day .May it be praising someone’s kindness, sympathy for unprivileged or blasting corrupt cops with obscenities of course at their back , he was just super man..
‘MF cops would snatch all money we earn, they shall go to hell. Sir, you just see, someone will run his vehicle over this particular cop and soon he‘ll be a history ‘Muruges used to cuss. His face real serious and voice like a ghost. Sometimes he would enquire me about my salary I draw. I always kept it secret. Poor guy tried all tricks in bag, but always failed. ‘I will definitely get the information about your salary, Sir’ he’d owe. I chuckled.
For some days I used to get into company bus on time. Life with networks man. You will forget yourself. Configurations, system balancing and protocols ooffff. Muruges was forgotten. Sometimes I kept searching for his cab on roads while I was traveling on bus.
But alas, not a sight. It was few months altogether.
It was a Saturday and was raining; I just had shopped and was waiting for any damn vehicle to move me to my place. Couple of dresses and an umbrella, with a good bargain were in my bag. And lo a familiar cab stopped near by . It was my good old friend Muruges .I thanked him for noticing me. I smelled something bad with him. No usual smile, no usual talkative gesture. I never saw him like that. He was in bad shape.
‘What happened Tambi..?’ I enquired. (Tambi means brother in Tamil I would address Muruges sometimes, he felt happy he said) .He was weak. Face was pale and really was not the same Muruges I met months ago. ‘Why god is cruel with me Sir? ‘ he demanded as if I was god. ‘I lost my dad when I was kid and wanted to study and become someday employee of a big company like you. I could not.’ I had no answer.
‘I had to take up responsibilities of feeding my family, three sisters and two younger brothers. I never complained with god. I loved them and they loved me and I was happy ‘
I still had no idea what he was about to tell. I kept calm. I observed he was too emotional and could not be controllable. He continued ‘Sir, you remember Pramila?’ ya sort of, yes I remembered. Pramila was his lady love. Somewhere in Bangalore she worked for petty shop. He had mentioned many a time. I used to see a spark in his eyes and gradual change in his voice whenever he spoke about Pramila. He never used to skip his duties for Rajini Movies but yes, he had skipped few days of work for his soul mate, Pramila. ‘Yes I remember her tambi ‘I said, ‘what happened to her?’
He cried. I said him to park the car nearby. I was getting late, but not a problem. Besides Muruges needed me. Darted at a juice shop ordered for couple of water melon juices. Muruges still was inconsolable. Eyes had become puffy. Drank the juice slowly, and was ok after couple of gulps. ‘She is getting married this month end ‘he admitted. ‘Geez, Love failure uh? ‘ I said to myself. He continued ‘ she doesn’t call me now a days, when I called her she refused my love ..Sir , it was really unfair with me. I loved her so much ..and now She is getting married .. ‘ He sighed, took a deep breath and continued ‘ problem is not with she getting married sir, she refused my love for her , that I could not digest… I love her … now how shall I forget her? ‘
It was a tough question. Real damn uncrackable mystery. I had no answer.I could not even come up with a positive note for the poor chap. I myself have troubled days finding the answer. The puzzle, a zigzag puzzle of arranging broken split heart…!!! Tough one.
Rain had stopped.
It was long time I met him since then. My life was moving on with same stupid devices and configurations. I earned bread and butter. Life was cool with me. Again one day I missed company bus.
Muruges, was in driving seat. But this time different. Same cheerful smile. And same talkative gesture. ‘Sir, I am returning to Salem forever.. I got a good job there .’ I was not in terms to accept that. But he was happy. ‘What about Pramila ?’ I enquired . ‘She is happy with her husband; I saw them near forum last time, Sir. I am too thinking of getting married..Sir ‘He was confident. Stern eyes with crystal clear voice. That was the time, first time ever I reached so soon. No traffic jams, no signals and no street fights. ‘ I will not be meeting you again I guess Sir, it was nice meeting you sir, you are a gem of person , spoke with a person like me too.. You are really warm………..
I was in my own thoughts. ‘What should I say ? should I stop him to stay in Bangalore ? or congratulate him for forgetting Pramila and moving on with life ? ‘ I was confused and was paying the fare . Muruges refused the fare and enquired about my salary for the last time. :)
I refused to disclose it. And told him next time he meets I’d tell him. He smiled ‘ Sir, If I am blessed with a son or daughter I would really make them as you , a Software Engineer’ His teeth were visible, most of them. He waved his hand and disappeared from my sight to the place unknown as I Stood there with 10 bucks in my hand…………….
I was standing there stupefied..!! He forgot ‘her’ and moving on with his life..!! What a Climax.. probably I should have disclosed about my salary .. to mess with his climax..!;)
