Sunday, September 25, 2016

TAXI


It was a late in the evening around 11 pm when my train pulled up to the Chennai Central station. While reaching, I had checked on the Ola & Uber cabs so that I could grab one to rush back home. The train was late today. Well not to keep anybody waiting I had not booked the cab as the train pulled up. I waited to get out of the station.

As I pulled my cell phone and went to Uber app, I could hardly see any cabs. It was as if some one just gobbled them up. Cursed my sensibility and quickly scrambled for Ola. Managed to get one. I was at one end and this guy was at the other. Not wanting to loose anymore time, I rushed to him rather than making him come. Well after some huffing and puffing, I reached my cabbie. I waved at him and told my name as I opened the back seat door. 

Cabbie (C) - Good evening Sir!!
I was impressed.. wow, not bad late in the evening and he still wishing me. Cool!! I wished him back, threw my bags in the back seat and was about to sit. He said,

C - Sir, come to the front seat. AC is good and you would like it.

Really, Ok!! I closed the back door of the Indica and hopped into the front seat comfortable. As I got comfortable while he cranked the engine. Our conversation started...

Me: Do you need the CRN no.. It is...
C: Sir, no need.
Me: Really.. not needed. Then your tracking..
C: No problem sir
Me: Ok (Shrugged my shoulders... and got busy on my cell..)
C: Sir, did you also book on Uber
Me: No.. (Still having my head sunk into the phone)
C: You have the app, just book it. I will pick it up and close it.
Me: Why will I do that. I just did it on Ola
C: Sir, book it for me
Me: What!! (I was now looking at him) No.. I do not have the Uber app. (Flat lie I stated)
C: You do not have it.. Sir, go to Google play store and download it.
Me: No thank you, just ride please.

I got into my phone, trying not to have any more conversation. Five minutes, just about to leave the station clutter, our man starts again

C: Sir, Did you book on Mini or micro..
Me: Not sure. Do not remember (I was getting intrigued and irritated now)

I remembered, that I did not put in my destination details though I had told him where to go. So I entered it and his GPS beeped.

C: Sir, why did you do that.
Me: What did I do?? 
C: Sir, location details!!
Me: Hello, you need to know where to drop me.. what else. Also, this is my default habit. Now please drive.

Another few minutes later.

C: Sir, You will save money if you do this.
Now what, I had a quizzical look. This is really getting on my nerves and that too at half past eleven in the night... He continued...

C: You take a note of the kilometres and I will switch off this trip. You pay me per kilometre. 

Saying so he moved his hand to the cell to switch off the trip, without waiting for a response. I raised my voice and said; "NO... Nothing doing, I am absolutely fine to pay the money needed. DO NOT SWITCH off the trip".

I quickly shared my trip details to my wife, just in case needed.

And that was the last conversation that we had for the next forty five minutes. Though he kept rambling on his incentive and the money he could make.

Now our saint cabbie, comes to the tool road and pleads to the guy manning it. He says, "Bro, had a rough day.. why don't you manage it" and extended a Rs10/-. The guy takes the money and opened up the lever. 

My saint says as we cross the lever... "Sir, see there is nothing called ethics, bribe here too"

I was speechless!!!

Hello, what the hell were to trying with me. The only thing was I did not budge and here you are calling him unethical. Wow, you are a dignified human being on the road of redemption and higher being.

Thanks to Technology and people using it to make greater inroads in life!!

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Journey of Faith!!


Into the dark alleys,
In search of the light.

Cold chill gripping my feet,
hoping for some warm water to thaw.

Splattered around is filth left by many,
raising stink to be scooped up into the bin.

A growl from the sleeping dog in the dark,
warning not be to steered from its slumber.

The mind wanders endlessly,
Into my deep dark fears of endless agony.

I keep walking deep into those dark corners,
with a hope of finding my stars through my fears.

The others said, it was a death wish!!
To me, it became a journey of faith.