On roads of a city...

Few days ago, I visited my friend’s city where he lives with his family. Although, now days in most of cities, the conditions of roads are quite well but due to municipal board of same party for past four consecutive times, the situation is worse here. Almost every road was decorated by pits. When I saw a road with very less pits, I felt as I saw an Indian widow after watching so many Indian married ladies. On a few roads, small amount of asphalt was left which gives the feeling, there must be a road there, and people in delusion passing by road. Asphalt of roads thawed by heat of corruption got accumulated in bank accounts. While rainwater accumulated on road.

Well, somehow I reached at my friend’s house. After formal conversation, I told him my opinion about roads of his city. He replied with no sign of any emotion but smiling in between words, “pratik, there are already so many troubles in life and you are talking about roads. There is old friendship between road and pits in my city like the friendship between us.”

At five o’clock in the evening, we left home to go market. We were going through scooter. I was driving scooter. I was continuously facing pits on road. I was trying my best to save scooter from pits but I felt that pits move themselves to come in my way. Although I was trying but almost all my endeavors got fail. I asked to my friend,” How can people of this city drive on this road daily? “

My friend asked,” What are you watching on road?”

I immediately answer,” Pits, lots of pits.”

My friend told, “While we people drive, never watches a pit instead look for road between two pits. That’s how we go through these mazes, everyday.”

After a small countable pause, he said,” If you want to keep moving in your life, than instead of thinking of problem(pits), always think of solution(little road between pits).”

I remain silent, thinking that probably he will consider himself a good philosopher.

Meanwhile civil war between me and army of pits was continuing.  Remaining vehicles went ahead of our scooter like in Olympic race group of foreign athletes are going ahead of Indian athlete. Suddenly a car which was moving ahead of our scooter applied break. I took benefit of opportunity and I drove scooter parallel to car which was not possible before due to rough driving and speed of car. While watching towards driving seat of car, I asked to driver, “Why did you apply sudden break in your car?” He replied with raising his eyebrows and some anger, “Did I ever promise you for this, then why are you asking?” I didn’t prefer to take conversation further. My friend said,” Why are you doing useless argument with him? India got independence on 1947, everybody is free now.”

After few hundred meters there was crossroads, there I saw under the shadow of tree, two traffic police constables were seated on stool, one was reading newspaper and another constable was talking on mobile. As we were going further, the road was getting narrow. I understood that we are entering into old part of city. After few distance, we need to take left turn. While I was driving scooter towards left, suddenly an auto rickshaw appeared before scooter. I applied breaks immediately and saw towards driver of auto rickshaw in perplexity. My heartbeat went high like the bank balance of road contractor after getting a road contract. But he was looking like he is sitting at photograph studio in front of camera and photographer is about take his picture. As I was watching towards him, he drove his rickshaw. I was watching him in side mirror of scooter.

Then my friend saw a famous restaurant. We went there and order two ‘samosa’. I was still in rickshaw moments. I asked to my friend,” Didn’t that auto rickshaw driver can blow horn?” I corrected my question, “Didn’t that auto rickshaw have horn?” My friend answer, “Probably not, but he must have confidence, that’s why he can drive in narrow streets so fast.” My friend was smiling. I was disappointed and surprised by his attitude. I asked him sincerely and in posture of being angry, “You were not like this, during college you complaint for anything happen in class to principal” My friendly replied with smile, “That was to impress girls in class.” After small pause, looking in my eyes he said, “Now, to whom I complaint?”