It was well past four in the evening. My train was scheduled to depart at 5:30 PM. I was scrambling to pack my bags. I thought I was already late because the station was nearly 35 kilometers from my place. My brother called me up and asked me about my status. I listened patiently to his ranting on the possibility of missing the train. I opened mobile and searched for OLA icon. As an android expert, I have so many test applications on my mobile screen that invariably it takes a lot of time to find the desired app. Somehow, I found ola and tapped here and there in an attempt to book the cab. The Clock was already ticking fast. Faster than I anticipated. It was already 4:15PM. I continued with my effort but all in vain. The app kept showing error and sitting there, I was wondering about how unlucky I am. The moment I need this taxi most, the app is throwing all the tantrums of this world.
Anyway, I went for her alternative, The Uber. But as explained by the law of karma, Your karma comes back to you. I had not paid their money of the last trip so the app did not allow me to book a cab. Other options were not very feasible given the crunch timing. After some contemplation and persistent failure of Ola, I decided to continue with Uber by paying their money. Uber was quick to help me out and it found a cab for me. But already it was 4:30PM. I was at the far end of Noida and Wanted to reach Sarai Rohilla station which lies in the heart of Delhi. My brother called me again and enquired about my status. I told him about a possibility of missing the train becoming a reality. However, he asked me to take my chance and continue with the cab. So I hopped on the four wheels.
My undesired delay in leaving the house had got me thinking that how unlucky I am in crunch situations. This thought occupied most of my time on the journey to the station. The driver was an expert, well familiar with the route. Unexpectedly, he found his way in the complicated traffic grid of Delhi and dropped me to the station in just over 45 minutes. So, I was nearly 10 minutes ahead of my schedule. I thanked god for reaching on time. A flickering thought occurred that I am not so unlucky. Instead, Life is teaching me "how to remain calm in crunch situations?" I proceeded to the ticket counter and asked him about tickets fare. It was 265 rupee only. It was a premium train, first of its kind in India, The double decker. I reached my wallet and happily opened it. To my shock, I had only 120 rupees. There was no ATM nearby and even if there was one, there was no time left to withdraw money. This time, the clock was ticking faster than it was ticking an hour before. I again smiled on my luck and the futility of nerve-wrenching one hour trip I just had to catch this train.
To my fortune, My brother called me up a minute later when I was contemplating my course of action. It seemed it was his day of becoming my saviour. He asked me to hop on the train and he will buy the tickets for me from next station. The turn of events were amusing. I was supposed to buy tickets for him but it happened the other way around. I reached the platform and hiding from TTE's penetrating and suspicious eyes, I entered the train. To fast forward the story, The train started on time. My brother entered the train with the tickets. And now the story begins.
Will complete later..
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