We wish for certain things in life. Sadly, the scope of achieving them seems extremely remote at times. You try your level best to fulfill your wish(es) but alas…fate has different plans! And finally, when you are actually able to achieve what you immensely desired, you are in for disbelief! Kya yeh sach mein ho raha hai, is what you keep asking yourself! That’s what I experienced when I found myself at Delhi meeting some of my closest MSian friends!
I’ve been trying since the past few years to visit Delhi just to meet my MSian buddies, but without any luck. In fact, I’ve lost count of the number of time I made plans which have got canned due to some reason or the other. Meanwhile, Khaled bhai visited Mumbai in March this year and immensely persuaded me to visit the City of Cities! On the other hand, Delhi seemed to become the hot favourite amongst many filmmakers and films like Band Baaja Baaraat, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Delhi-6, No One Killed Jessica, Love Aaj Kal, Chalo Dilli, Delhi Belly etc arrived which showed Delhi in its full glory, further motivating me to head to Delhi. However, luck wasn’t by my side sadly!
Then few months back, I took up a job which required me to travel to Dehradun! Now wasnt Dehradun very near from Delhi? This is my chance, I thought! However, I kept my excitement within limits as like the earlier instances, my plans can still go haywire. Hence, I just silently prayed that this time, I get to visit Delhi and meet my closest MSian friends!
Work in Dehradun was hectic and everyday I used to count the number of days left before I head to the capital city! And finally, the D-day (15-11-2011) arrived! I packed my bags and headed to the Dehradun ISBT from where I boarded the last Volvo of the day which left at 10:15 pm. It was supposed to reach Delhi the next day at 4:30-5 am but as the roads at night were clear, the bus reached at 3:45 am! At first when the bus halted, I assumed it was for food/loo break. It was only when fellow passengers started taking out their suitcases and exiting that I realized that we have reached our destination! I had almost 3 ½ hours before I was to meet the MSian Gurpreet (sweets_desire). What will I do till then?
I came out of the bus with my luggage and realized that the bus has left us outside the ISBT on the opposite side of the road! There was almost 5-feet tall railing on the divider which didn’t seem to end. How do I cross the road then? In the darkness, I saw footover bridge almost 100 mts away. I quickly climbed and whilst on the bridge, I paused to look around. Vehicles were going in full speed below while on the left, Anand Vihar Metro Station was shining in all its glory! Yayyy…I m finally in saddi Dilli!!!
The Anand Vihar ISBT is damn huge and yet I couldn’t find a single seat that was vacant. Finally I found one and quickly sat. I looked around, still thinking how I should pass my time when I realized that reading will be the best way! Fortunately, I was carrying I Too Had A Love Story by Ravinder Singh and started reading it. I normally don’t carry books but thank god I did! Also, I had never ever read any book at a stretch but this time I did! By the time I finished reading, it was 7.30 am already, the sun had risen, the bus stand had become fairly empty and faraway I could see the metro train had resumed services for the day!
The seats at the ISBT were horrible and I could feel my back aching a bit. But worse than that, I couldn’t bear the sad songs being played at a food stall nearby! Enough is enough, I decided and came out of ISBT and headed to the Anand Vihar Metro Station where Gurpreet was to meet me. And finally I met her! It seemed surreal to say the least! Kya yeh sach mein ho raha hai, is what kept circling in my mind not only then but throughout the day!
CONTINUED IN PART 2!
