This is something that happened when I was on 6th standard. Its long time back back but the whole episode is still crystal clear. One of the worst ways to find out that I went into the wrong bus.
Time was around 3:45 pm and kids from all schools were rushing towards the main bus stop at East fort. (For people not aware of Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, East Fort is a busy bus station in the centre of the city.) I was eagerly waiting for my bus towards 'Attukal'. I had to catch the first bus to get in time. The 'first-bus' was linked with many thinks for the evening there after. If I get to go by the first bus, I can reach the cricket ground first, I will be counted in the first team which can bat first. It also means I can bat and bowl. If the match gets prolonged the team batting second need not field. So many things get into place if I get the first bus.
'Time is life, don't ever waste it'.
Many buses went past the crowd and I was concentrating only on KSRTC.(Kerala Road Transport Corporation) buses which goes via Attukal. I had a student's concession ticket from the stop near my school to Attukal. To show the concession ticket to the conductor itself is a big problem. I'm getting into the bus from an interim stop, so some times the conductor will be angry on me.
The crowd was so big in the bus stop that half the people were standing on the road. For every bus that comes, people would rush on to the doors before the bus driver even stops the bus. I was aiming to get seat that day. My aim was to get to the door first. A bus came down the curve in front of the 'Padmanabha theatre'. I hardly saw the bus board and its destination. All I saw was 'Attukal' written on one corner. I rushed from back of the crowd with all my strength. To my surprise the rush was far less than I expected. I managed to get to the foot steps of the bus quite easily. But still there were two or three folks on the edge who were trying to get into the bus at the same time. I took advantage of my slim frame and rushed in-between them. Ahhh I was successful in breaking in. I happly took my steps in to the bus. Almost all the seats were filled. I was hurryingly looking for a seat. Then I spotted bus conductor right next to me. He was staring at me and I was about to pass him. He stopped me and asked with a surprised face,Conductor: Were you headed to?
Me: Attukal!
Conductor: In this Bus?
Me: Yes. What is the problem? I have concession ticket with me!
Conductor: But this is ladies only bus, you are not allowed!
I was stranded in middle of gals, Gals everywhere. Half of them were from the girls' high school next to my school. I visibly shrank and everyone in the bus started to laugh. I could hardly walk out and all the energy I gave in 'getting into' the bus went in vein. I was cursing myself not to notice the corner board (Ladies Only). When I came out of the bus, there was another burst of laughter from people standing out side.
The bus left the stop without me and I started walking.
I was visibly shaken and my self respect did not allow me to stay any longer in the bus stop. I started walking towards my house. A 2 km walk. That walk was one of the longest walk I took in my whole life. All the way that day I kept cursing myself for the blunder I made. From there onwards, ladies bus any where is a horror episode. The moment I hear the word 'ladies only', a series of incidents comes to my mind.
