Thanks Buddy

Last week I landed into the unfamiliar territory-literally. On the job training was new to me, and  I was more than excited to attend this first-of-my-life. Learning basics of banking and more options in finacle (software used in my bank) than are used in routine work was a good experience. Overall, it was more of fun than anything else. 

But the first day proved to be adventurous to us-at least to four of us - Ranvijay, Nikhil, Archana, and yours truly.

We had boarded route no. 492 from Gol chakkar in NOIDA. A 15 -16 year young boy, with just a hint of hair where mustaches he shall have in some years, boarded the bus and stood adjacent to me. The bus being a blueline, was 'crawling' at the speed that is associated with private ones at peak hours. In the mean time, Ranvijay got involved in a polite argument with a gentleman who was stupidly adamant on NOT shifting his bag a few inches. God knows what the man wanted. It was natural for me to keep an eye on the whole drama. 

People have some peculiar habits. I have one, of checking my pant pockets every now and then in a crowded place. Thank Heavens that I possess this one. The bus stopped at a traffic signal. I checked my pocket. God!!  My mobile was gone. The mobile that I is so precious to me. The mobile that I have NOT changed, even after repeated insistence by my dad to have a new one. The mobile that I flaunt, in spite of it being a Nokia 2300, that too in the age of N and E series.

That very mobile was gone. It took some nanoseconds to figure out my Modus operandi in such a scene. I got off the bus, shouting OYE RUK. I wasn't sure initially who the culprit was. But I followed my gut. I shouted at the guy who was going near the front door, who turned out to be the conductor. On advancing further, the BOY was there. Again I shouted OYE RUK. The Boy's walk turned into brisk walk and then into running. I started running too, but was no match for the thief. I knew I would not be able to nab him. He was smart. He may have done many 'assignments' successfully before. But this time, Ranvijay spoiled his party. My friend ran for about half a kilometer, and chased him. Not to say, the boy was poor and unlucky to have been caught by him. When I reached the scene, Ranvijay had given him enough beating. The boy begged. I took my mobile back. Then wanted to leave the scene. But the crowd had other ideas. Everyone started beating him. Even those who themselves would have picked my pocket on getting a chance, gave the boy all that they had.

Everyone wanted me to beat him. And look at the irony. I was the ONLY one who was saving him from the fury. 

Even in the bus, where the boy was dragged, I could NOT hit him.

Ranvijay kept on beating him. I kept on holding myself back. But both of us had one thing in common - ANGER, which was on the system and not on the boy. You know what, every possible human soul was a companion to the snatcher. I had followed the boy, shouting chor-chor, when he ran past a Police man. And that spineless, greedy cop showed as if he did not understand what was going on.

At the UP-Delhi border, the boy was handed over to a 'policeman' who was in plain dress. We showed some dissent, but then sensed the situation and let him go. 

I was happy to have me cell back. 

But the, for the first time, I had experienced the lawlessness that is associated with UP. It is not that Delhi is crime free. But the manner in which criminals roam around freely, it is a matter of shame.

In all this excursion, I have become  indebted to Ranvijay. He got my special mobile back. Thanks buddy.