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Road crossing blues

It was the peak hour in Bangalore. I just needed to cross the road and drop a cheque at an ATM. I expected to be back in 2 minutes. But it wasn’t going to be an easy journey. It was the 100 feet ring road in Koramangala at 8 PM on a weekday. People were returning after another mundane day at their office. There were bikes, cars, buses and more and more of the 3. The traffic signal (which is not usually followed) was a bit far away. So why was I supposed to spend those extra few minutes. So I just went with the shortcut. There were four stages. Two lanes while going and two while coming. So I began my journey.

Stage 1:
The vehicles were coming at full speed. I waited for more than two minutes, but wasn't able to make a first move. Then I decided "bahut ho gaya ... ab to cross kar ke hi rahunga". So, there I went. But I was soon on back foot as I was nearly knocked down by a speeding car. He blurted some abuses at me which I couldn't hear due to clamoring of vehicles. In next 3 minutes I made4 failed attempt, half of which were a close shave. But I didn't lose any hope. I went ahead. "Thoda risk to lena hi padega ..." I thought. Then I saw a ray of hope. I calculated that the next vehicle will be there in 3 seconds; so if in 2.5 seconds I manage to cross the road, my journey will 25% complete. I was somewhat wrong. But, the driver was a good one. He slowed down a bit, changed his path a bit, and I was through just in time. 7 minutes into the start of the mission; I was now stranded in the divider.

Stage 2:

This was the easiest. I had decided to use all my experience. So the moment car was 3 seconds away, I ran to the other side. A motor cycle managed to brush me and I nearly fell down at one corner of the road, but I was safe and sound and more confident. The stage was over; and so was my half of the mission.

Stage 3:

10 minutes into the mission, I was late by 8 minutes. Though I couldn’t make up for the lost time, I decided to make amends. So like stage 2, I made a quick calculation and ran towards the divider. All was over in one minute. I stumbled by divider and wasn’t as lucky as the second stage. Yet I escaped with minor injuries. But now I was wary of heavy traffic.

Stage 4:

Scared and waiting for the right moment, I stood patiently on the divider. My friend who had been waiting for me was nowhere in sight. He must be somewhere around the corner, I thought. I patiently waited for seven more minutes, when I called it quits. It wasn’t possible to cross road without taking any risk. I was at the point of no return. I couldn’t have escaped from the divider. So, as soon as I spotted an opportunity, I garnered all my courage, all my energy and was all set to make a quick move. However, it did not materialize. So I tried to use what my friends described Formula 32. I walked patiently, showing a hand to all the vehicles coming my way, literally telling them to wait for a second so the emperor crosses the road. And finally I succeeded. What a moment it was! I was back within 19 minutes. But my friend had left by them. He was scared of the dreaded traffic police, so he made a move. So I got an auto and went towards my home which was few minutes’ walk (without any crossings!)

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  1. Anonymous10:16 AM, October 30, 2007

    ROTFL!!!

    That took me back in time(again!!!)

    Used to stay in Bangalore very near to the 100 feet road and this was like a daily routine...

    Every single time i crossed the road like this, I would mutter to myself "That was close! You could have been dead a second ago!" But, that did not change anything... I continued crossing the road as if I did not have any wish to live anymore as long as I stayed there... :(

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