Everyone who read the first part confessed to how breathless they were while reading. I wish I could promise to slow down. But then, this is a piece I am not enjoying writing, so my aim is to put the story across ASAP. Apologies. (I need smileys here).
Soon as we reached my cousins place in Mahipalpur, homies were already conveying their consoles. Suddenly, I got up, borrowed some cash from my sis and headed towards the airport again. In Delhi, the capital of the country and also the capital of hundreds of other negative adjectives, I knew I had less than a one per cent chance of retrieving my wallet. But it was like giving up the fight mid way. At least, I wanted to confirm it lost after a more detailed search n enquiry.
And owing to the problems I faced with the autos not permitted inside the terminals, this time I decided to take a taxi to the airport. THE TAXI STAND, a good walking distance, WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I chanced upon the only auto on the Delhi-Gurgaon highway, a kilometre from the airport. I got in the auto and pleaded with the autowala to take me to the airport bus stand. His asking price: Rs.100. I had no choice but to agree with this rate. Plus, he was getting an earful from me along the 1 km distance. I brought the price down to Rs.70 in the meantime.
Suddenly as we were approaching the bus stand, the auto driver took an unexpected turn and stopped the auto at another completely different corner from the bus stand. It was his fear of the traffic police that made him take the turn. Why?? I still dunno. Not in any more mood to argue, I gave him 100 and THEN he began to crib about ‘khulla’. This location was nearby a taxi stand so I asked him to go and look for it. Maybe I didn’t wait that long in the auto, but I was getting restless delaying myself for 30 bucks so I left the auto and ran towards the bus stand.
On the way, I saw the auto driver asking for change from a taxi driver. I changed course, I really didn’t know why, and ran towards my 30 bucks. As I reached them, the taxi driver and I immediately recognised each other. HE WAS THE SAME MAN WHO TOOK ME FROM THE BUS POINT TO THE DERPARTURE AND NOT ARRIVAL TERMINAL (refer PART 1). Mind you, there were numerous autos in the stands at that point. Then, explaining why I was there again, I asked him to take me to the terminal again. He readily agreed and we literally rushed towards his cab.
Then, as I got inside the cab….TADA….MY FREAKING WALLET WAS FLYING ON THE FREAKING FLOOR OF THE FREAKING TAXI.
I got Goosebumps all over my body. Both the taxi driver and I looked at each other speechless. I then shouted out to the auto driver to come over and the auto driver was also at a loss for words. I emptied all the monetary contents of my wallet and divided it between the two guys(I don’t carry much cash in my wallet, just in case u are admiring my generosity).
SOME FLASHBACKS:
*My brother in SBI was extremely busy since March is d end of the financial year and he was given extra work load that day. His phone was in Silent mode.
*The auto driver on the way back, told me he got his licence that morning only. He was on a tea break with his friends and on an impulse, he decided to skip the break and the next thing he knew was me getting into his auto.
The auto driver, further added, that i have angels looking after me. I believe him. He was one.
My mind was going through a thousand "what ifs" on my way back. I needed this experience. I leave it to everyone to read and hopefully be blessed in their own ways.
5 comments:
Now there's one autowallah, one wallet, one day and one airport you'll never forget! Defo!
Gripping action drama, nice read.. Don't you love the feeling you get when you find something you thought you'd never see again??
I hate losing stuff, even a thing as small as a pen.. kinda disturbs my 'chi'.. hehe...
I lost my wallet once, and I was more pissed at myself than the pickpocket.. Now, I've become obsessively compulsive to check all the contents of my pockets every few minutes if I'm out of the house..
@blackestred...actly,i m a pro at losing wallets n phones....after d last incident, i make sure i divide the contents of my wallet just in case nethg happens agn..lol..i guess i hv acceptd dat i'll hav to live wid dis disorder:P
'khulla' is narrated as 'chutta' in Bombay :-P
I hardly lost any of my belongings. I've never lost any valuable things until my phone fell out from my pocket inside an Auto-Rickshaw. I counted that as a fate. An Auto driver driven past me and stopped just a few steps ahead of me while I was walking in a 'gali' He offered me a lift till Main Road as it was already late and the 'gali' was quite deserted in the night. Whenever I get down from a Cab or Auto I have a habit of checking the seats before I leave. But God knows, that day I didn't check it, I just got down and thank the Driver. It was supposed to be a free ride, but turns out the most expensive Ride I've ever had. I checked my pocket, I couldn't find my phone. I ran to the auto but it was too late. He was already gone.
@alejendro....like u yeself said,fate i guess is the best way to describe yor experience coz d driver also had the best intentions in mind...i also lost a cell in an auto while picking up a friend from AIIMS:) couldnt even reveal my misery cos of the patients condition..my only consolation was the opportunity to buy a better phone:p
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