The Journey

One Friday evening I stood at the KSRTC bus stop waiting for my bus to Mumbai. Am sure that anyone who had to board a bus at KSRTC –Bangalore will understand how frustrating it can be. There are more that 60 buses waiting and honking at a given point of time. Anyway this was not going to bother me, as I was all excited to attend my close friend’s wedding. I had come prepared with Robin Cooks' "Toxin" to keep me occupied on this 24 hour journey. I managed to locate my bus and got in glad to have a window seat. I kept my bag on the luggage rack, popped a Polo mint into my mouth and looked out at the hustle bustle around. Everyone seemed to be so caught up in their own world. Youngsters, families, elderly couples, business men all seemed to be rushing in every direction. I smiled as I looked at the mad mad world outside, each one caught up in their own busy schedules. I wondered who would take the seat near me, and hoped it would be someone non- interfering. The bus was soon filling up with people of every shape and size. An elderly lady entered carrying a small bag, followed by a young guy carrying two extra large bags. Seeing this, a fellow passenger began to grumble "Looks like the old hag has packed her whole house." Another elderly man kindly requested them to keep the luggage in the luggage compartment as it was obstructing movement in the bus. The young lad who had managed to struggle in with the luggage, picked up the bags and struggled out again followed by the old lady. Ten minutes later the old lady came and sat down beside me, the first thing I noticed about her was her warm smile. She was in her late fifties, comfortable dressed in trousers and a cotton shirt and had a twinkle in her eyes. The young man was nowhere in sight, so I assumed that he had just come to drop her and help her board the bus.

Few minutes later the bus began to move, and the conductor began to adjust the VCR. I was now glad that I had carried my novel; there was no way that I was going to watch some masala movie for 3 hours. Leaning back in by seat, I hardly got past the 3rd page when my companion started conservation. " Travelling along" she asked. "Ya, What about you?" I replied. "I am going to my elder sons house in Santa Cruze, not seen him for 3 years" she replied. I sensed excitement in her voice, like a child waiting to open his Christmas present. "Where are you off to all alone young lady?" she enquired looking concerned. "To attend a wedding" I replied. She seemed so eager to talk; that I put my book down knowing I fully well that I would not be able to read. The movie was on in full swing, Govinda was dressed brightly as usual dancing to some loud music. My travel companion Mrs. Linnet Rozario began chatting with me as if we were long lost friends. By end of the 16 hour journey, I learnt that she has lost her husband 5 years back. She had 2 sons and a daughter, of which 2 were in US and only her elder son was in Mumbai. She was all excited by the fact that she was going to move in with her son’s family as she was all alone. She was especially longing to be with her grand kids. We promised to stay in touch and exchanged contact details.

The wheels of time go on and it was almost 6 months since I returned from Mumbai. I was busy juggling work, social activities, family, friends and social service. One Saturday afternoon our social service group went to ‘Sheha Bhavan’, we had been visiting that place for the past 5 months on alternate Saturdays. We would spend time with the elderly men and women there, talking to them, helping them with sorting out their old letters and photos, writing to their sons and daughters who had neglected them. Most of all we were there, just to spend time with them and listen to them talk of their good old day. It was then that I saw a vaguely familiar person sitting on a cane chair by the window. I had been visiting this home for few months now and had not seen her here before, yet she looked so familiar. I racked by brains and then I remembered... why yes….she was Mrs. Linnet Rozario!! Yes I was quite sure about it; she was none other than my travel companion on that Mumbai bus 6 months back. I walked up to her to say hello, she took a few minutes to recognize me and se smiled back weakly. I noticed that she no longer had those sparkling eyes, in fact they seemed sad and lost, and she also looked as if she had rapidly aged in these few months. What had happened? She was supposed to settle in Mumbai with her son and family? What was she doing in Bangalore again, and of all places in a home for the aged? So many unanswered questions... however I did not want to ask her anything at that moment. I could already see that see was really lost and sad and I did not want to upset her further Perhaps one day during my regular visits to Sheha Bhavan she would open up and let me know. The picture of the talkative, cheerful lady; with dreams of spending relaxed days with her loved ones came flashing back.