The weekend had come to an end and Monday had already begun. But this Monday, I had vowed to be different. I got up around 10 minutes earlier than usual (10 mins makes a great difference in the morning). I got ready early and mother packed the lunch in my new lunch box. I looked at the clock at home and was pleased that I was just on-time. On-time means I will just go to the stop and this time coincides with the cab also landing at my stop! I am one of the lucky few whose stop is right almost next to home or across the road. I opened the gate and looked across the road before crossing, no sign of any of my other cab-mates! Looked further up the road, no sight of the cab too! I usually sight the cab further up the road if I have missed it by a whisker. Now this was getting worse. I could not even find an auto to reach the next stop to catch another cab going by the same route. I waited desperately at the bus-stop. The bus-stop is same as the can-stop. I had missed the cab!!! The previous day I was bad getting up late and hurrying at the last moment and st5ill managed to be ‘on-time’. But today? The cab came early and my goodness on trial went in vain…
A BMTC bus to Majestic came and I boarded the same with a burst of negative emotions. I messaged my friend who comes by same cab that I had missed it. I was now on a blaming spree. My first round of fury was, obviously, on the cab-driver. He had been too early, leave alone missing being ‘on-time’. Next I brooded over my bad-luck and helplessness. Helpless, as I cannot blame my parents for I was late because of the time it took to pack my lunch. It is their kindness that they get up early only so that I don’t stay hungry during the day. Next, I thought of the sarcasm that life has in plenty. When I am unruly and absent-minded about time, I will still be able to make it to the cab, while I go disciplined, I miss it. After this was the evergreen grumble that I have to get-up early in the morning, everyday. And, then came the numerous issues from Office. I shifted to the Govt. which had failed to keep the city clean and the BMTC bus that I was travelling which was new and costlier but totally lacked the comfort of the old buses. I was so frustrated, that I went to the extent of cursing God Himself. It was time to think of bidding a bye to the luxury, Office-cab. I could find no value to this. I made up my mind to get a monthly BMTC bus-pass for the next month, thinking on when I will go to get the same. I had missed my breakfast session with my friend with she also was left eating alone. By this time, I reached office and was late than usual by almost half an hour.
As I landed in cafeteria, my friend called me and told me she will be joining me. It was a very pleasant feeling that ensued. Suddenly I moved into a calm state. An air of optimism blew past. I started wondering if my outburst, that too all within myself, was valid. Whose fault was it anyway and who will suffer because of all this? It was me. I could have got ready 5 mins earlier than ‘on-time’. There were so many wonderful things around that I enjoyed, so many privileges that I savored and many more good things in life that I had ignored – caring parents, loving friends, financial freedom, good food to eat, a place to stay – which many did not have. All for a trivial issue of ‘missing cab’! I instantly felt I was wrong in being negative and was back to normal and enjoyed the breakfast with my friend.
I truly assert, “ Don’t take decisions when you are ANGRY..." "Don’t make promises when you are Happy...” is anyday safe
