“Oh I hate this .. I
hate having to travel so far in a bus “ Archana muttered under her
breath . Her mother had called the previous night saying she had
sprained her ankle after having fallen down from the kitchen stairs.
Even though her mom had assured her that everything was all right ,
Archana couldn't stop worrying and immediately tried to get home .
She couldn't get train tickets and that brought her to this bus on
that very rainy night.
She found her seat ,
(Thank goodness its by the window, can sleep all the way home , 12
long hours ,she thought) . She pulled out a stole , her mp3 player
and her water bottle and stowed her backpack up the luggage rack .
She was just getting comfortable when she saw her , the well-known
and the very famous TV show host Ria .Archana thought to herself ,
“No its not her ..no way … But it is..What is she doing on a bus
on a night like this?!! “. Archana hoped she sat far away from her
‘because she simply didn't like her unreal show and her unreal
pretence of being all posh .
As it goes all the
time, sometimes the thing you hope against hope doesn't happen
eventually ends up happening . And so Ria was going to sit with her
for the next 12 odd hours . “Ï am never travelling by Bus
again, Archana cursed.’” Bet she is all haughty and arrogant and
would start showing her Airs as soon as she sits down. Oh well I'm am
no less. If she is a star then I'm not going to oblige by all the
fawning and fancying her fans might do. Nope not me! ” . She
plugged the ear plugs inside her ears and pretended not to notice
and stared outside the window resolutely even though it was pitch
dark outside
As Archana had
expected Ria didn't as much as smile at her co-traveller, not that
Archana gave a chance. Ria sat down and took out her phone twiddling
with it. Archana couldn't tell if she was nervous or excited and
finally concluded that this gesture was to show off her brand new
smart phone. Again Archana pretended not to notice at all and closed
her eyes. At least sleep could be better than having to put up with
such a show off. From in between the Rock music playing loudly in her
ears she could make out that Ria had made a call. Clearly trying to
Show she is talking to some hot shot actor/ politician. She heard
snippets of the conversation, not that she was trying to listen.. Why
would she …
“I am really shocked.
I mean it’s a bus!!" Archana heard Ria exclaiming. 'Ahaan! complaining to her hot shot guy that people like her should not be
travelling by buses'. “Acting like you’re somebody else getting me
frustrated …the song lyrics flooded Archanas ears”. How very apt
lyrics and Archana wondered how that happened quite often ; her music
player always seemed to know her surroundings and mood.
“Yup trust me .. Red
stole” Archana caught her saying ‘. More guitar music flooded in
.”Oh that’s disgusting ”said Ria. “.Oh so shes talking about
me is it ”thought Archana angrily .This made Archana even more
irritated. Their bus was now meandering through dark roads with dense
trees on either side. Archana didn't know when she drifted off to
sleep or how much time had passed. She was woken up by a sudden
screeching sound and an abrupt halt of the bus. She woke up with a
start and looked around and found Ria looking at her. Much to her
indignation Ria turned her head suddenly away from her. Archana could
nt help but notice that Ria actually looked very pretty. It was then
that the conductor announced that there was a puncture and they
needed the people to alight.
“What?!! Get down on
the road? In the middle of the night?” exclaimed Archana .”It’s
only for a few minutes ma’am. We will not be able to remove the
tire easily otherwise” the bus conductor said apologetically.
Can’t all the Men
get down? And we will move to the other side of the bus? How do you
expect all these children to stand in the cold rain?! Chipped in Ria
. Archana was thinking that she was about to say “How do u expect a
super star me to get out” and did not expect her to say something
as thoughtful as kids inside the bus.
“Please calm down
ma’am. We will see what we can do. Please be seated” told the
conductor and disappeared into the rain. They both sat down and then
Ria spoke to her. “This is exactly why I don’t like bus journeys”
Before Archana could
stop herself she blurted out “How come you didn't take a flight
if it were that bad”, quite harshly and immediately regretted her
tone afterwards
“I …er ... My
producer wouldn't give me a day off to meet my best friend in the
hospital .All the travel agents that usually book our tickets for the
show are in league with him . I didn't want him to know and sort of
ran for it.” She grinned sheepishly. “I am a TV show host by the
way, she added lamely”
Archana again pretended
she didn’t know. Such a show off TV show host by the way!... See
how she’s rubbing it in.. Who didn't know Ria..At least which
person her age didn't? “Oh really? That’s wonderful!” Lied
Archana stifling her thoughts … “but what happened to your
friend?”
“She’s got cancer.
Nothing to worry though “ she added hastily looking at Archanas
sorry face. Ria offered her biscuits from her priceless designer hand
bag and said “Dinner? I am not allowed to eat anything hi-cal . So
it’s just sugar free grain biscuits for me” Ria said nibbling
her biscuit .. She seemed very fidgety and excited. Maybe it’s the
thrill of sneaking out thought Archana .
“Can I ask you
something?” Asked Ria doubtfully. Surely must be something like how
do you non stars life such a boring life? “How do you handle being
a celebrity “said Ria . What?! Exclaimed Archana .. “I am
actually so excited to meet you ..” Ria continued very fast as
though she was dying to say all this .
“ I wasn’t sure it
was you , I mean why would a star like you travel by bus on a
night like this . A noted and famous Author like you would not travel
so ordinarily would you? I am such a huge fan of yours !! I Loooved
your book “Its life””. Can I have an autograph? I mean can I
have 2? My friend in the hospital, She’s a fan too.. I’m sorry if
I’m talking too fast , it’s just that I’m so excited !!!!!
“Finished Ria almost at the edge of her seat now
A shell shocked
Archanas open mouth twisted into a smile and replied. “Those are
pretty much the things I thought about you too. Thanks about the
book. I nicked the title from my fiancés firm. It’s the companies
tagline you see “and she winked at Ria .
Ria continued rambling.
“To be honest, I never thought you’d talk to me, you know .. I
thought you’d be all arrogant and Celebrity like. And I was sure
you were when you put on music. Even I could hear the songs and then
I noticed you were sleeping and thought you didn't like being
disturbed .I immediately called up my friend and told her about you.
She wouldn't believe me. I even described your attire to her and
promised her an autograph. When the bus broke down I was wondering if
I should wake you but then you woke up and I turned away nervous..
I'm glad I could help you with that bus conductor though”
Archana smiled and
couldn't help but ask “but …u said something like disgusting. I
am sorry I wasn't fully asleep and I can act a bit too you know :D.
I thought you were gossiping about me” Oh that…reminisced Ria
“My friend was talking about the insipid liquid food from the
hospital and I just replied…”
She pulled out a tiny
book from her bag and handed it to Archana .” Here... Help me keep
my promise” she smiled. Archana smiled back and signed the book for
her .If you don’t mind can I have yours too asked Archana. Ria was
quite pleased and did the honours.’ I really would like you on my
show sometime’ .. It was Archanas turn to be pleased...
“Ladies and
gentlemen! It would take some more time for us to fix this .Please be
patient with us announced the driver” . Archana took out her phone
to inform her mom that alas she was gonna be late!
Outside, dripping in
the rain and with hands covered in grease the bus conductor
exclaimed to the driver. “Did you see the second row to the left?!
Both of them together?! I mean what are they doing in a bus on a
night like this?!! I wonder if I should have asked for an autograph.
You think they would give it ?” The driver replied.. “’Na
...they think they are big stars ...must be the usual arrogant
types. Let’s pretend we don’t know them”. The conductor a bit
reluctantly agreed and the rain pattered on
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