Race… Udupi

Recently we had been to Mangalore for my cousin’s marriage and were very excited about it. It was morning 9.00 am and we all were getting ready with blazers put on and shining in front of mirror combing our hair several times.

Marriage was scheduled at 12.15 pm and we all had to reach the hall at 11.00 am in UDUPI. Two buses were arranged for the journey and we were instructed to get into the bus and be seated. But decorating the car for the bride was our first priority and there we were with flowers, cello tapes, blade and scissors. Till we could book our seats in the bus, it was almost flooded with people from the village. All the ladies and children were seated tightly packed. The sun was shining bright on us along with the blazers to top up the heat.

Any how we managed to stand at the back door of the bus and the bus started. Wind was flowing through the window but failed to reach us. Every one of us (cousins) was asking a common question “How long will it take to reach UDUPI”. Bus moved on to pick up people from another location further down the road. We removed our handkerchief and started patting our self while looking at each other in dismay. We could feel the heat crawling through our eyebrows and moving down.

Then suddenly some vibrations occurred in the pocket. It was our mobile phone ringing midst the entire crowd. One of my cousins in Mangalore had called up to say that a Maruti 800 has been booked for all of us. We jumped with joy and at the next pick up point we waved to everyone in the bus. What a relief! Cool air was blowing from the windows. Now we knew we will reach Udupi before the bus reaches. Within 5 minutes bus was overtaken by us. We were four at the back seat but were quite comfortable and relieved. The heat vanished and we could feel the cool breeze flowing.

Suddenly car halted. "What happened?" We asked in chorus. Our friend who had been driving told we have to push the car to get the engine started. We again looked at each other with a grin. It was 10.20 am and we were in the middle of the highway. But the car was not willing to start. We had to arrange for a mechanic. Mechanic rushed to the site in 10 minutes. He tried to fix it but in vain. We all planned to take an Express Bus and just reach Udupi somehow while the mechanic fixes the car. And there came the Express Bus. We waved our hands to the Express Bus but it just ignored us. After a while we could see another bus coming our way. We again waved our hand and it slowed down to pick all five of us. The car started as well with a bang. We chose the car and left the bus. The car moved for a while and again halted. Now we were worried because we were already late. We all started walking towards the Express Bus stop and finally managed to catch an Express Bus. We took a window seat and the bus conductor screeched “raaaaace”. I couldn’t make out what he screeched. He actually screeched as "Right" means GO. That sounded good. And finally we reached our destination at 11.30 am.

And I just thought…

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...