It was supposed to be a nationwide transport strike today. I planned to wake up late as there shouldn't be any traffic on the road and i can still reach office by 0930. Woke up at 8 got ready for office and was about to leave when i cousin called and asked if i need the car of if he can take it. So i suggested he can take the car as long as drops me to office and i will find my way back home in the eve. There was plenty of traffic and had to wait at every signal for a few mins and i reached office late.
As soon as i reached office i announced that i need a drop in the evening. A Anyways I knew my manager will drop me at least half way and i can walk from there. But by noon i realized that he is not coming to office and i have to find other options. By 4 PM it i heard its raining heavily. I dropped the plan to walk and thought of taking an 'Ola'. But as usual these days 'Ola' was not available.
Prag offered to drop me half way and i could try getting an auto from there...so i hopped on her Activa
.(We always joke that by time i get down from the vehicle i shake it so much that her kidneys and liver are dislocated.) We just reached the main gate of office and again in started raining. I didn't want to get drenched so i opened my umbrella. it was very difficult to sit on the bike with my handbag on one hand, my lunch bag and my umbrella on the other and no free hand to hold the bike or her. So i told her i rather get down and walk then sit on the bike with so many things in hand wondering when i will fall of.
I started my walk (which is less than 5Km) braving the rain and traffic. And yes, there was hell a lot of traffic from all corners no one following the signals. Managed to cross the first junction without causing much damage to myself and not poking the umbrella into someone else's eyes. It was getting windy and my umbrella went with the wind. So i reached brigade road with my broken umbrella and i heard the road side vendor saying umbrellas for Rs. 100 so i stopped to check if it was worth buying. And it was kids umbrella so i told him no and walked off which was fine with the vendor. But rain or sun there is no dearth for jerks on the road who had to pass some lewd comment. I continued my walk noticed a good Samaritan who tripped on a log but he made sure to pick the log and put it on the side to avoid somebody else falling. Our eyes met and I wanted to tell him good job but you know today's world. To quote a post i read on FB..." Chivalry is so uncommon these days that its mistaken for flirting." No i didn't want any of that.
Continued walking as the traffic grew because of trees uprooted and blocking the roads. The two wheeler's had taken over the footpath. No place for pedestrians to walk. Navigated my way through the vehicles, trees and electric wires. Then i see my neighbor driving waiving at me signalling that he can offer a drop. Which i politely declined. It was getting dark and it was difficult to walk making sure i don't step on a live wire and get electrocuted.
All this while i couldn't hide a smile.I declined a drop, i was walking all the way back and i wouldn't stop until i see the finish line which is of course my house. From the time i started training for long distance running the finish line has become such an important aspect of my life. No taking short cuts. Take the longer route, enjoy the surroundings. I have changed so much. There was time i was ready to pay even Rs. 100 for a 1KM ride by auto and here is a new me who would rather walk it. I enjoy life so much more these days. I am in love with the new me ;).
NOTE: 2 wheeler riders - Please leave the footpath to the pedestrians. Everyone is in a hurry. But that doesn't mean you take over the footpath.
- Drivers who put on the high beam and drive, there is an option to turn to normal lights. Use that, makes life easier for everyone.
PS: I wanted to take a selfie of me walking with so many things in my hand but i didnt want to turn of my run keeper and i didn't know how to navigate the phone to go to camera. So i am adding a pic of my run keeper.
