The lucky ones

Ever since I started interning at the Delhi High Court, I've traveled more on buses than I ever have in my life. Along the way, I've done seen more of Delhi than I probably will ever care to see. One very irritating aspect of bus travel is the fact that even on moderately packed buses, no one EVER seems to vacate their seats. What the hell are they on the bus for? Traveling the entire route for shits and giggles? And it's not like I've traveled for short distances either, I've stayed on the bus for a good twenty odd kilometers and not a single person on the bus ever got off at any station. It's like they're sitting there just to mock your misfortune.

Hundreds of people board the high traffic routes and all of them just stand, shuffle around, step on other people's toes, jostle around and get off at some point. But no, these regal lords sitting on the seats don't even look like they want to go anywhere. They're happy to just occupy the seat. I got the opportunity to do the same yesterday. Me and my friend had the bright idea to board a bus which we THOUGHT was correct but it turned out we were wrong, around 10 kilometers after it was in some lonely deserted area. The conductor, of course, threw us out at the next stop so we're in the middle of nowhere, have no idea where we are and have no idea which bus to catch. My friend caught a bus he recognized, and fifteen minutes later I found one going vaguely near my place. Happily, the bus was stark empty (very shady). After traveling a good twenty to twenty five kilometers and nearing my stop, I realized the trick to getting a seat and confirmed my suspicions. Get on at the very start of the route, and get off somewhere near the end. Nobody it seems, ever seems to get on when the bus has started it's route to get off quickly. They're in it for the long haul.

On that day, I think I must have received as many silent curses as I usually shower on those bastards lucky enough to have a seat.