taken for a ride

it was one of those 'errand-days', when i innocuously start with one-little-trip-to-the-bank and go on with a gusto to complete all those pending things i would've accumulated over a month. i had completed most of it, from checking on my mail-in rebate to sending off my old roommate's package by post, when it occured to me that i might as well collect the developed prints of the photos a friend and I had taken the previous week. i was still debating if i should go, when i reached the strategic location from where i could watch two bus-stops, so that i could quickly shift from one to the other if i spotted a bus. it seemed like i'd just missed both buses and the strong winds suggested a thunderstorm within the next hour. before i could change my mind, i spotted one of the buses across the road just filling up. i waited for the walk sign and darted across the road, only to find it sporting a 'Full Bus' sign (this is turned on when the number of passengers reaches a max limit, i guess). so i sheepishly returned, gave up on strategy and waited for the other bus. it arrived in another 10 mins, only to go past our stop without stopping! everyone waiting tried making signs to the driver, but she (let's call her X) just didnt seem to bother..we resigned ourselves to wait for the next one with incredulous looks on our faces..
when i finally reached and got the prints, it was almost 45 mins past my estimate for the job...when the bus to return arrived, i was quite surprised to find X on it again..i just hoped her last non-stopping spree was a freak thing and got in...i settled down to read a paper i was supposed to have an idea about..and wasnt paying much attention to the route or co-passengers. suddenly, something made me look up - and i saw my apartment complex flashing by! that was certainly not the route that bus was supposed to take..i was supposed to get off at school...i felt like a hijack victim and pulled the bell to request stop forcefully..i could atleast walk home if i got off where we were then, but..our dear X isnt someone to be perturbed, as we'd already found out..i looked around for help..the only other people were a mother and kid and another slightly old guy...i guess i was irritated, angry and scared all at once..
the guy tried explaining X's 'concept' - it seems she was behind her schedule and so she was making up by not stopping at all stops...she'd drop us at our stops on her return journey! it only made me angrier and it must've shown on my face. the guy put his hands on his face and made a sign asking me to smile..he said 'she'll certainly drop us back', as if to reassure me..
i finally had to smile..after all, the journey was hardly 30 mins..and i knew my way around well enough..so there wasnt much chance of my getting lost even if she didnt drop me back..
so i settled down, closed my paper and looked out of the window instead. it was a glorious evening, sunny, without being hot, a hint of rain and a pleasant breeze...
i would've loved to go for a ride on such an evening myself...and i realized i was going around preoccupied with things to be completed, to the extent that i wasnt even paying attention to such nice evenings! soon, it will be winter - the evenings will be dark and cold...might as well enjoy pleasant times when they are there..!
when i said my customary 'thank you' to X as i was getting off the bus, it was with a heart-felt smile..