Traffic Woes (no more!)

I must think

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1076 times before I step out of my house into the tentacles of Bangalore traffic! It’s horrendous! There’s no time to breathe. You’re always puffing and cussing, loosing your temper for every single insignificant thing. You think twice before making any plans. People prefer to sit at home rather than get out into this jungle!

I've battled snakes (almost) and lost my way amidst the numerous by lanes here. Only now I just can’t seem to battle this relentless traffic, just like everyone else in the city. I feel so powerless! Suddenly I hear a voice in my head- “Congratulations. You're not so special anymore.”

Sigh!

I think I’ve spent more time on the road waiting for the traffic to move than anywhere else. And the traffic lights are so slow! I might as well walk the entire way home. The traffic is worse than snail's pace as snails at least move. Here we’re just stuck giving ample amount of time and audience for beggars and street vendors selling cotton buds, mats, magazines etc. It feels like these people control the traffic lights at times so that they have some people to get some money from. Sometimes tiny children who are begging on the streets fall onto a person’s foot and pester her until she gives him some money. One such incident took place with me. A little boy sought the never-changing red light as an opportunity to pounce at my feet when I was in an auto and beg for money. So what am I supposed to do? I can't give the kid money, because he shouldn't be begging. He's young and bright and his eyes! They were light brown and they were dancing. He almost climbs into the auto. And mind you, this is the second time I've come across one of these little fellows in one day.

So... he starts tapping my leg. Little palms and he says- sundar pink chappals aunty. And I don't know what to do. He's enjoying the fact that I’m awkward. Very awkward. The people standing beside me on two wheelers were waiting for my reaction. His naughty smile gives that away. So I dig through my bag and give him an eclair and a couple of coins. But I don't want him to leave yet. I try to ask him his name. Ask him if he likes pink (?!) He won't stop calling me 'aunty'. He has the most beautiful eyes I’ve seen. The auto driver decides he's had enough and moves ahead. The boy comes towards the auto. But traffic moves, and I lose him. That was the first time in my life that I was glad to have been stuck at a signal. Things have changed now. I’ve begun to enjoy the traffic, the waiting, and the fuming faces of the people around me. Traffic is no woe no more.